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System Messages
NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.
Message | Possible Cause | Corrective Action |
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8042 | The keyboard controller failed its test. | If you receive this message after you make changes in system setup, enter |
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| system setup and restore the original value(s). |
Address Line Short! | An error in the address decoding circuitry in the | Reseat the memory modules. |
| memory has occurred. |
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C: Drive Error | The hard drive is not working or is not configured | Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined |
| correctly. | correctly in system setup. |
C: Drive Failure |
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Cache Memory Bad, Do | The cache memory is not operating. | See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining |
Not Enable Cache |
| technical assistance. |
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An error is occurring on the timer on the system | See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining | |
| board. | technical assistance. |
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CMOS Battery State Low | The system configuration information in system | Enter system setup, verify the system configuration, and then restart the |
| setup is incorrect or the battery charge may be | computer. |
CMOS Checksum Failure | low. |
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CMOS System Options |
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Not Set |
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CMOS Display Type |
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Mismatch |
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CMOS Memory Size |
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Mismatch |
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CMOS Time and Date Not |
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Set |
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Diskette Boot Failure | Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS | Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined |
| POST. | correctly in system setup. Check the interface cable at both ends. |
DMA Error | Error in the DMA controller on the system board. | The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. |
DMA 1 Error |
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DMA 2 Error |
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FDD Controller Failure | The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy | Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard drive is installed correctly in the |
| drive or hard drive controller. | computer and defined correctly in system setup. Check the interface cable at |
HDD Controller Failure |
| both ends. |
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INTR1 Error | An interrupt channel on the system board failed | The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced. |
| to POST. |
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INTR2 Error |
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Invalid Boot Diskette | The operating system cannot be located on drive | Enter system setup and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. |
| A or drive C. |
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Keyboard Error | The BIOS has detected a stuck key. | Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck, |
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| carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the |
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| keyboard. |
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KB/Interface Error | An error occurred with the keyboard connector. | Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck, |
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| carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the |
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| keyboard. |
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No ROM Basic | The operating system cannot be located on drive | Enter system setup and confirm that drive A or drive C is properly identified. |
| A or drive C. |
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