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System Codes and Messages

Dell™ Dimension™ 4300S

Diagnostic Codes

POST Beep Codes

System Messages

Diagnostic Codes

Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lights can be yellow, green, or off as shown in the following table. When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally, the lights flash during POST. After the computer starts, the lights remain green to signify normal computer operation.

If a malfunction is detected and the computer fails to start, the lights display a code that identifies the problem. Write down the diagnostic code displayed and look it up in the following table.

Diagnostic Code

Definition

Corrective Action

 

 

 

 

Power up default.

Make sure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet, and then check

 

 

whether the front-panel power light on the power button is on or off. If the power light is off, check

 

 

the power supply. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions

 

 

on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards. If the computer still does not start, see

 

 

"Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

System board is receiving

Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode, and restart the computer. Exit and save changes

 

power, but the BIOS is not

in the system setup program. Turn off the computer and reset the configuration jumper to Normal

 

executing.

mode, and then restart the computer.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." If

 

 

the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining

 

 

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Recovery mode from BIOS

Set the configuration jumper to Maintenance mode and restart the computer. Exit and save changes in

 

failure.

the system setup program. Turn off the computer and reset the configuration jumper to Normal mode,

 

 

and then restart the computer.

 

 

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." If

 

 

the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining

 

 

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Microprocessor has failed a

If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining

 

BIOS test.

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Memory failed to be sized or

Reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for

 

enabled.

instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

PCI bus failure has occurred.

See "Safety Instructions," and then remove all cards and restart the computer to determine if a

 

 

resource conflict exists. If conflict exists, see "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." If

 

 

the problem still persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining

 

 

technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

Video controller failed to

If the computer has a video card, reseat the video card. If the problem persists or the computer has

 

initialize or respond.

integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical

 

 

assistance.

 

 

 

 

IDE bus failure has occurred.

Reseat the drive cables. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Owner's Manual for

 

 

instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

 

 

 

USB port or a device

Disconnect the device from the USB connector. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the

 

connected to it has failed

Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

 

initialization.

 

 

 

 

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Dell 4300s System Codes and Messages, Diagnostic Codes, Diagnostic Code Definition Corrective Action