Dell 3000 manual System Beep Codes, Cmos

Table 3-2. System Error Messages (continued)

Message Cause Action

CMOS battery is dead— Replace and run Setup

The CMOS battery does not have enough charge to power the computer.

Call Dell for technical assistance. (For instructions, see Chap- ter 5, “Getting Help.”)

System cache	The primary cache internal	Call Dell for technical assistance. (For instructions, see Chap-
error—cache	to the microprocessor has	ter 5, “Getting Help.”)
disabled	failed.
System CMOS	The BIOS has been updated.	Reboot the computer and press <F2> to enter the Setup pro-
checksum bad—		gram and reconfigure the system. If the problem persists, call
run Setup	CMOS has been corrupted or	Dell for technical assistance. (For instructions, see Chapter 5,
	modified, possibly by an	“Getting Help.”)
	application program that
	changes data stored in
	CMOS.

System RAM failed at off- set: nnnn

System RAM failed at address nnnn in the 64-KB block at which the error was detected.

Call Dell for technical assistance. (For instructions, see Chap- ter 5, “Getting Help.”)

System timer	A chip on the system board
error	may be malfunctioning.

Run the System Set test group and the Keyboard Controller Test in the Dell Diagnostics. (For instructions, see Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diagnostics.”)

NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the online System User’s Guide .

System Beep Codes

When errors occur during the boot routine that cannot be reported on the built-in display or on an external monitor (if attached), the computer may emit a series of beeps that identify the problem. The beep code is a pattern of sounds: for example, one beep, followed by a second beep, and then a burst of three beeps (code 1-1-3) means that the computer was unable to read the data in non- volatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is important to the Dell support staff if you need to call for technical assistance.

When a beep code is emitted, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, and then look it up in Table 3-3. If you are unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause. (See Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diagnostics.”) If you are still unable to resolve the problem, call Dell for tech- nical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)

Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-7