Dell Dimension 4300 technical specifications System Codes and Messages, Diagnostic Codes

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System Codes and Messages

Dell™ Dimension™ 4300

Diagnostic Codes

POST Beep Codes

System Messages

Diagnostic Codes

Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lights can be yellow, green, or off as shown in the following table. When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally, the lights flash during POST. After the computer starts, the lights remain green to signify normal computer operation.

If a malfunction is detected and the computer fails to start, the lights display a code that identifies the problem. Write down the diagnostic code displayed and look it up in the following table.

Diagnostic Code

Definition

Corrective Action

 

 

 

 

Power up default.

Make sure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet, and then check

 

 

whether the front-panel power light on the power button is on or off. If the power light is off, check

 

 

the power supply. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions

 

 

on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards. If the computer still does not start, see

 

 

"Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

System board is receiving

Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode, and restart the computer. Exit and save changes

 

power, but the BIOS is not

in the system setup program. Turn off the computer and reset the configuration jumper to Normal

 

executing.

mode, and then restart the computer.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities If the

 

 

problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical

 

 

assistance.

 

 

 

 

Recovery mode from BIOS

Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode and restart the computer. Exit and save changes in

 

failure.

the system setup program. Turn off the computer and reset the configuration jumper to Normal mode,

 

 

and then restart the computer.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities If the

 

 

problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical

 

 

assistance.

 

 

 

 

Microprocessor has failed a

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining

 

BIOS test.

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Memory failed to be sized or

Reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for

 

enabled.

instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

PCI bus failure has occurred.

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities If the

 

 

problem still persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining

 

 

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Video controller failed to

If the computer has a video card, reseat the video card. If the problem persists or the computer has

 

initialize or respond.

integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical

 

 

assistance.

 

 

 

 

IDE bus failure has occurred.

Reseat the drive cables. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for

 

 

instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

USB port or a device

Disconnect the device from the USB connector. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the

 

connected to it has failed

Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

initialization.

 

 

 

 

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Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms Dell DimensionHints, Notices, and Cautions System Codes and Messages Diagnostic CodesDiagnostic Code Definition Corrective Action Beep Codes Possible Cause Corrective Action Post Beep CodesSystem Messages Message Possible Cause Corrective ActionPost Online Documentation DocumentationPrinted Documentation Downloading the Tell Me How Help File and Associated FilesWhen Working Inside Your Computer Safety InstructionsWhen Using Your Computer Adding PartsShutting Down the Computer Reattaching the Front Door and Hinge ArmsReattaching the Hinge Arms Opening the Computer Cover Adding Cards Open the computer coverRemoving Cards Close the computer coverAdding Memory Replacing an AGP Card Adding a Second Hard Drive Adding Other Drives Inch DevicesShut down the computer Inch Devices Replacing the Microprocessor Page Installing the Microprocessor Removing the Front I/O Panel Replacing the Power SupplyRemoving the Power Supply Removing the System Board Replacing the Power SupplyReplacing the System Board Closing the Computer Cover Replacing the System BoardPage Power Problems Solving ProblemsAccessing Help Files Adjust the Windows display settings Start-Up Error MessagesVideo and Monitor Problems If the screen is blankIf you cannot print to a parallel port printer Sound and Speaker ProblemsPrinter Problems If you cannot print to a USB printerVerify that the modem is communicating with Windows Scanner ProblemsModem Problems Control Panel, double-clickPhone and Modem OptionsDrive Problems Mouse ProblemsKeyboard Problems Check the mouse settingsIf you cannot play a DVD movie If you have a hard drive problemUnder Error-checking, click Check Now If the CD-RW drive stops writingGeneral Program Problems Network ProblemsMicrosoft Windows Error Messages Resolving Other Technical Problems Internet Connection ProblemsMail Problems At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next Reinstalling DriversUsing the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Click PropertiesWindows Me Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click SystemResolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities WindowsClick Performance and Maintenance Using System RestoreCreating a Restore Point Click the System Restore tabClick Create a restore point Reinstalling Windows XPUndoing the Last System Restore Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating StateReinstalling Windows Me Click Next in the Welcome to Windows Me windowReinstalling Windows Click I accept the Agreement, and then click NextBack to Contents Technical Specifications SpecificationsVideo PowerAudio3 Controls and LightsPage System Setup Program Screens System Setup ProgramViewing Settings OverviewOption Function Clearing Forgotten Passwords PXE BISInternal View System Board Connectors and Sockets Technical OverviewPower Supply Socketed MicroprocessorDC Power Connectors Pin Number Signal name 18-AWG WireDC Power Connector P7 DC Power Connector P2DC Power Connectors P3, P5, P6, P8, and P9 Pin Number Signal Name 22-AWG Wire IDE Interface Cable Connections for Dell-Installed DrivesPlacement of Dell-Installed Cards IDE Channel IDE Connector Location Dell Installed DriveControls and Lights Front ViewBack View Windows LabelSerial Connector Hints, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms