Dell E521 specifications Advanced Troubleshooting, Power Lights, Diagnostic Lights

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Advanced Troubleshooting

Dell™ Dimension™ E521 Service Manual

Power Lights

Diagnostic Lights

Beep Codes

System Messages

Dell Diagnostics

Drivers

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Power Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

The power button light located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:

If the power light is green and the computer is not responding:

¡Ensure the display is connected and powered on.

¡If the display is connected and powered on, see Diagnostic Lights.

If the power light is blinking green, the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.

If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.

¡Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.

¡If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also, bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.

¡Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

¡Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see System Board Components).

If the power light is blinking amber, the computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem might exist.

¡Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable).

If the power light is steady amber, a device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

¡Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see Memory).

¡Remove and then reinstall any cards (see Cards).

¡Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see Cards).

¡Ensure that all power cables are securely connected to the system board (see System Board Components).

Diagnostic Lights

CAUTION: Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions 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 panel (see Front View of the Computer). When the computer starts normally, the lights flash before turning off. If the computer malfunctions, the sequence of the lights helps to identify the problem.

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 pre-BIOS failure

 

 

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

Contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

 

occurred.

 

 

 

 

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Contents Model Dcsm Front View of the Computer About Your ComputerBack View of the Computer Back Panel ConnectorsBack to Contents Power Lights Advanced TroubleshootingDiagnostic Lights Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested ResolutionCode Cause Beep CodesSystem Messages Diskette read failure Click the Change or Remove Program iconStarting the Dell Diagnostics Dell DiagnosticsWhat Is a Driver? Dell Diagnostics Main MenuDrivers Identifying DriversUsing Windows XP Device Driver Rollback Reinstalling DriversManually Reinstalling Drivers Windows XPClick Start, then click Help and Support Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesGetting Started Before You BeginRecommended Tools Turning Off Your ComputerBack to Contents Removing the Computer Cover Removing and Installing PartsMemory Memory Installation GuidelinesInstalling Memory Addressing Memory With 4-GB ConfigurationsRemoving Memory CardsPCI Cards Installing a PCI CardPage Removing a PCI Card PCI Express Cards Installing a PCI Express CardPage Removing a PCI Express Card Removing the Drive Panel Drive PanelRemoving the Drive-Panel Insert Installing the Drive-Panel InsertInstalling the Drive Panel Drives Connecting Drive CablesHard Drive Drive Interface ConnectorsConnecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables Removing a Hard Drive Installing a Hard DrivePage Adding a Second Hard Drive Floppy DriveRemoving a Floppy Drive Installing a Floppy Drive Removing a Media Card Reader Media Card ReaderInstalling a Media Card Reader Removing a CD/DVD Drive CD/DVD DriveInstalling a CD/DVD Drive Page Replacing the Battery BatteryPower Supply Replacing the Power Supply Removing the Processor ProcessorInstalling the Processor Page Removing the I/O Panel PanelRemoving the Processor Fan Installing the I/O PanelProcessor Fan Installing the Processor Fan System Board Screws System BoardRemoving the System Board Installing the System Board Installing the Computer CoverBack to Contents September 2006 Rev. A00 Specifications Controls and Lights ConnectorsDrives Environmental PowerPhysical Entering System Setup System SetupSystem Setup Screen OverviewOnboard Devices System Setup OptionsUnlocked Bypass isNot Set Option Settings Boot SequenceChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Setup & Boot MenuChanging Boot Sequence for Future Boots Clearing Forgotten PasswordsFlashing the Bios Clearing Cmos SettingsClick Save this program to disk, and then click OK System Board Components Technical OverviewInside View of Your Computer Pin Number Signal name AWG Wire Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsDC Power Connector P2 DC Power Connector P10