Power Lights, Troubleshooting Tools | Dell 531 manual

Troubleshooting Tools

Power Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

The power button light (bi-color LED) located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:

•If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.

–Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.

–If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power strip is turned on. Also, bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on properly.

–Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

•If the power light is steady blue and the computer is not responding:

–Ensure that the display is connected and powered on.

–If the display is connected and powered on, see "Beep Codes" on page 76.

•If the power light is blinking blue, the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.If the power light is blue and the computer is not responding:

–Ensure the display is connected and powered on.

–If the display is connected and powered on, see "Beep Codes" on page 76.

Troubleshooting Tools

75

Image 75

Dell 531 owner manual Power Lights, Troubleshooting Tools

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m Abbreviations and Acronyms Contents Power Options Properties One Monitor With a DVI ConnectorChanging the Display Settings Power Management Options Media Card Reader Problems CD and DVD drive problemsMail, Modem, and Internet Problems Keyboard Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Sound and Speaker ProblemsNo sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Dell Diagnostics Main Menu 102 Power Supply DC Connector Pin AssignmentsMemory Installation Guidelines 108 Installing a Second Hard Drive 125 Removing the Processor Fan Replacing the Power SupplyInstalling the Processor Fan Installing the System Board 167 Clearing Forgotten Passwords 176Technical Support and Customer Service 183 Automated Order-Status Service 185 Contents Glossary Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Warranty information Your call when contacting support Service CodeUse the Service Tag to identify your Enter the Express Service Code to direct What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Reinstall the DSS utility. DSSProvides critical updates for your Your computer and operating System and installs the updates Click Help and Support Help and Support CD or DVD drive Service Tag Located on top of the chassis towards the rearSetting Up and Using Your Computer Front View of the Computer Power light Ieee 1394 connectorHeadphone connector Power button Back View of the Computer Back Panel Connectors ConnectorLight Microphone USBVGA video Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Setting Up and Using Your Computer Setting Up a Printer Connecting a USB PrinterPrinter Cable Windows XP Control Panel Printers and Faxes Add a printer to startWindows Vista Playing CDs and DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDs Windows VistaMedia Type Read Write Rewritable DVD-Writable Drives Helpful Tips Using a Media Card Reader Optional Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors Connecting Two Monitors May not be present on your computer Connecting a TV Standby Mode Power ManagementChanging the Display Settings Power Management Options in Microsoft Windows XP Hibernate Mode Power Options Properties Power Schemes TabHibernate tab Power Management Options in Windows Vista Advanced TabHibernate Tab Standby Mode Power Plan Properties Power Management Modes Click Change Advanced Power SettingsAdvanced Tab Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology About RAID Configurations For Windows Vista only RAID Level 1 Configuration Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Using Nvidia MediaShield Rebuilding a RAID ConfigurationTransferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up and Using Your Computer All Programs Accessories System NextTools Windows Easy Transfer Setting Up a Home and Office Network Connecting to a Network AdapterNetwork Setup Wizard Click Checklist for creating a network Connecting to the Internet Click Connect to the Internet Setting Up Your Internet Connection If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Troubleshooting Tips Battery ProblemsSolving Problems Windows XP Click Start and click My Computer Windows Vista Drive Problems Problems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive CD and DVD drive problems Hard drive problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems N T H E M O D E M H E L P E R D I a G N O S T I C S To verify that the modem is communicating with Windows Error MessagesClick Start Options Modems Solving Problems Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer does not start up Computer stops responding Program stops respondingProgram crashes repeatedly Solid blue screen appears Windows XPWindows Follow the instructions on the screen C K U P Y O U R F I L E S I M M E D I a T E L Y Other software problems Media Card Reader Problems Memory Problems Mouse Problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems E C K T H E P R I N T E R C a B L E C O N N E C T I O N S Scanner Problems No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems If the screen is difficult to read If the screen is blank J U S T T H E W I N D O W S D I S P L a Y S E T T I N G S Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights Beep Codes Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Short beeps If the problem persists, contact Dell System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Option Function Dell Diagnostics Main Menu OptionFunction What is a Driver? DriversTabFunction Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Using Windows Device Driver RollbackIdentifying Drivers Click the Drivers tab Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities media Manually Reinstalling Drivers Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Center Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Point to All Programs Maintenance and then click Back Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Click Finish to reboot the system Removing Dell PC Restore Using the Operating System CD Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows VistaBefore You Begin Troubleshooting Tools Troubleshooting Tools Removing and Installing Parts Before You BeginRecommended Tools Before Working Inside Your Computer Turning Off Your Computer Removing the Computer Cover Computer cover Front of computer Thumbscrew 101 Inside View of Your Computer System Board Components 102311 Cpufan 103 Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments DC Power Connector P1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23104 105 Pin Number Signal name Wire Color Wire Size 106 DC Power Connector P2 Pin Number Signal Name AWG Wire DC Power Connector P7 Pin Number Signal Name Memory107 108 Memory Installation Guidelines 109 Installing Memory Cutouts Memory module Notch Crossbar Cards Removing Memory111 112 PCI and PCI Express Cards 113 114 115 Removing and Installing Parts 117 If you removed an add-in network connector Bezel Removing the Bezel118 Replacing the Bezel Align and insert the bezel clamps in the bezel clamp slots119 120 Drives Recommended Drive Cable Connections Connecting Drive CablesDrive Interface Connectors Serial ATA Connector Hard Drives Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 123 Removing and Installing Parts 125 Installing a Second Hard Drive Removing and Installing Parts 127 Floppy Drive Not present on all computers 129 Screw slots 131 132 Replacing the Drive Panel Insert 133 Media Card Reader Removing and Installing Parts 135 136 CD or DVD Drive 137 Removing and Installing Parts 139 Removing and Installing Parts 141 Battery Replacing the Battery142 Power Supply Replacing the Power Supply143 Power supply Screws Processor Removing the Processor145 Removing and Installing Parts 147 148 Installing the Processor 149 Removing and Installing Parts Panel Removing the I/O Panel151 Installing the I/O Panel 153 Removing the Processor Fan Processor Fan 155 Fan Fan cover guide Fan cover grips 157 Installing the Processor Fan Fan Fan cover Heat sink 159 Chassis Fan Removing the Chassis Fan 161 Replacing the Chassis Fan Removing the System Board System Board 163 System Board Screws Replacing the Computer Cover Installing the System Board 165 Move the computer to the upright position 166 167 Specifications 168 AudioExpansion Bus Drives 169 Controls and Lights PowerPower supply wattage rating 170 171 PhysicalEnvironmental 172 System SetupEntering System Setup Overview 173 System Setup OptionsSystem Setup Screen Displays Bios Info and the Service Tag 174 175 Boot Sequence Clearing Forgotten Passwords 177 Clearing Cmos Settings Flashing the Bios Click Download Now to download the fileFile Download window appears 179 Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. Only CDs and DVDs180 FCC Class B Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only Definition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Dcma 182 183 Technical Support and Customer ServiceGetting Help Obtaining Assistance DellConnect Online Services Product Information Problems With Your OrderAutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Service Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Before You Call186 187 Diagnostics Checklist Contacting Dell Glossary 189 190 Product ID 191 Device driver See driver 192 193 194 195 196 Module bay See media bay 197 NIC See network adapter 198 199 200 201 202 203 Video resolution See resolution 204 Index 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212