then turns off |
| (see Diagnostic Lights). |
Solid yellow | The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device | If the Dell Diagnostics is running, allow the testing to complete. |
| on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly |
|
| installed. | If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance |
|
| |
|
| (see Contacting Dell). |
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|
|
Blinking yellow | A power supply or system board failure has | See Power Problems. |
| occurred. |
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|
Solid green and a beep code | A problem was detected while the BIOS was | See Beep Codes for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, |
during POST | executing. | check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified |
|
| (see Diagnostic Lights). |
|
|
|
Solid green power light and no | The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or | Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified |
beep code and no video during | incorrectly installed. | (see Diagnostic Lights). See Video and Monitor Problems. |
POST |
|
|
Solid green power light and no | An integrated system board device may be faulty. | Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified |
beep code but the computer |
| (see Diagnostic Lights). If the problem is not identified, contact Dell |
locks up during POST |
| for technical assistance (see Contacting Dell). |
|
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|
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4"on the front or back panel. The lights can be off or green. When the computer starts normally, the patterns or codes on the lights change as the boot process completes. When the computer starts normally, the patterns or codes on the lights change as the boot process completes. If the POST portion of system boot completes successfully, all four lights display solid green. If the computer malfunctions during the POST process, the pattern displayed on the LEDs may help identify where in the process the computer halted.
NOTE: The orientation of the diagnostic lights may vary depending on the system type. The diagnostic lights can appear either vertical or horizontal.
Light Pattern | Problem Description | Suggested Resolution |
|
|
|
| The computer is in a normal "off" | Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet and press the power button. |
| condition, or a possible |
|
| has occurred. |
|
| The diagnostic lights are not lit after the |
|
| computer successfully boots to the |
|
| operating system. |
|
|
|
|
| A possible BIOS failure has occurred; the | Run the BIOS Recovery utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer. |
| computer is in the recovery mode. |
|
|
|
|
| A possible processor failure has occurred. | Reinstall the processor and restart the computer. |
|
|
|
| Memory modules are detected, but a | • If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer. (see |
| memory failure has occurred. | Memory for instructions on how to remove and install memory modules.) |
|
| • If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one |
|
| module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an |
|
| additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all |
|
| modules without error. |
|
| • If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer. |
|
| • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell). |
|
|
|
| A possible graphics card failure has | • If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card, reinstall it, and then restart the |
| occurred. | computer. |
|
| • If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the |
|
| computer. |
|
| • If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics, contact Dell (see |
|
| Contacting Dell). |
|
|
|
| A possible floppy or hard drive failure has | Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer. |
| occurred. |
|
|
|
|
| A possible USB failure has occurred. | Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer. |
|
|
|
| No memory modules are detected. | • If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer. See |
|
| Memory for instructions on how to remove and install memory modules. |
|
| • If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one |
|
| module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an |
|
| additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all |
|
| modules without error. |
|
| • If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer. |
|
| • If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell). |
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