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Troubleshooting
Dell™ Vostro™ 1510
Service Manual
Troubleshooting Tools
Solving Problems
Dell Technical Update Service
Dell Support Utility
Troubleshooting Tools
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.
Your computer has three keyboard status lights located above the keyboard. During normal operation, the keyboard status lights display the current status (on or off) of the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock features. If the computer starts without error, the lights flash, and then turn off. If the computer malfunctions, however, you can use the status of the lights to help identify the problem.
NOTE: After the computer completes POST, the Num Lock light may remain on, depending on your BIOS settings. For more information on using the system setup program, see the Dell™ Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
Diagnostic Light Codes During POST
To troubleshoot a problem with your computer, read the sequence of the keyboard status lights in order from left to right (Num Lock, Caps Lock, and then
Scroll Lock). If the computer malfunctions the individual lights display a status of either On 
, Off 
, or Flashing 
.
Light | Problem Description | Suggested Resolution |
Pattern |
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|
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|
|
| No memory modules are | • If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing a Memory Module), then |
| detected. | reinstall one module (see Replacing a Memory Module) and restart the computer. If the computer starts |
|
| normally, continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty |
|
| module or reinstalled all modules without error. |
|
| • If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer (see Memory). |
|
| • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| Memory modules are | • If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing a Memory Module), then |
| detected, but a memory | reinstall one module (see Replacing a Memory Module) and restart the computer. If the computer starts |
| failure has occurred. | normally, continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty |
|
| module or reinstalled all modules without error. |
|
| • If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer (see Memory). |
|
| • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| A possible processor | • Reseat the processor (see Removing the Processor Module). |
| failure has occurred. | • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| A possible graphics | • Reseat any installed graphics cards. |
| card/video failure has | • If available, install a working graphics card into your computer. |
| occurred. | • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| A possible LCD failure has | • Reseat the LCD cable (see Removing the Display Assembly). |
| occurred. | • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| A possible keyboard | • Reseat the keyboard (see Removing the Keyboard). |
| failure has occurred. | • If available, connect an external keyboard. |
|
| • If the problem persists, contact Dell Support. |
|
|
|
| A possible USB controller | • Remove any USB devices. |
| failure has occurred. | • If the problem persists, contact contact Dell Support. |
|
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|
Hardware Troubleshooter
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected, but incorrectly configured, you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to