Dell 4100/180, 4100/200 Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer, Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device

Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer

If the procedure in the preceding subsection, “Trouble- shooting the Basic I/O Functions,” indicates that the problem is with a parallel printer, follow these steps:

1.Turn off the parallel printer and computer.

2.Swap the parallel-printer interface cable with a known working cable.

3.Turn on the parallel printer and computer.

4.Attempt a print operation on the parallel printer. Does the print operation complete successfully?

Yes. The interface cable must be replaced. See Chap- ter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

No. Go to step 5.

5.Run the parallel printer’s self-test. Does the self-test complete successfully? Yes. Go to step 6.

No. The printer is probably defective. If the printer was purchased from Dell, see Chapter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

6.Attempt another print operation on the parallel printer.

Does the print operation complete successfully? Yes. You have fixed the problem.

No. See Chapter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device

If the procedure in the preceding subsection, “Trouble- shooting the Basic I/O Functions,” indicates that the problem is with a device connected to one of the serial ports, follow these steps:

1.Turn off the computer and any peripheral devices connected to the serial ports.

Are two serial devices connected to the computer? Yes. Go to step 2.

No. Go to step 4.

2.Disconnect the devices from serial ports 1 and 2, and connect the malfunctioning serial device to the opposite port.

3.Turn on the computer and the reconnected serial device.

Is the problem resolved?

Yes. The serial port may be defective. See Chap- ter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

No. Go to step 4.

4.Turn off the computer and the serial device, and swap the interface cable (that connects the device to the serial port) with a known working cable.

5.Turn on the computer and the serial device. Is the problem resolved?

Yes. The interface cable must be replaced. See Chap- ter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

No. Go to step 6.

6.Turn off the computer and the serial device, and swap the device with a comparable working device.

For example, if the serial mouse has a problem, swap it with a serial mouse that you know is working properly.

7.Turn on the computer and the serial device. Is the problem resolved?

Yes. The serial device must be replaced. See Chap- ter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

No. See Chapter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

6-4 Dell PowerEdge 4100/180 and 4100/200 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide