Dell 100-Mbps manual Beep Codes and Error Messages, Post Beep Codes

Chapter 3

Beep Codes and Error Messages

This chapter describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. The tables in this chapter list faults that can cause a beep code or sys- tem error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, you should use the diskette-based diagnostics to run the appropriate tests to help isolate the source of the problem. See “Running the Diskette-Based Diagnostics” in Chapter 2.

POST Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display error messages during the POST, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem or that can help you identify a faulty component or assembly. Table 3-1 lists the beep codes that may be gener- ated during the POST. Most beep codes indicate a fatal error that prevents the system from completing the boot routine until the indicated condition is corrected.

When the system emits a beep code, record the code and then find it in

Table 3-1. If the table does not lead to the source of the problem, run the appro- priate tests in the diskette-based diagnostics to assist in troubleshooting the problem.

Table 3-1. POST Beep Codes

Beep Code	Error	Probable Causes
1-3	Monitor not detected	Disconnected or faulty moni-
		tor
1-1-3	NVRAM write/read failure	Defective system board
1-1-4	BIOS checksum failure	Faulty BIOS or defective sys-
		tem board
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer	Defective system board
	failure
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure
1-2-3	DMA page register write/
	read failure

Beep Codes and Error Messages 3-1