Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies
a problem. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer
encountered a memory problem.
If your computer beeps during start-up:
1. Write down the beep code on the Diagnostics Checklist.
2. Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see Dell Diagnostics).
3. Contact Dell for technical assistance (see Contacting Dell).
lIf the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Routine system activity preceding video
initialization.
Watch your monitor for on-screen messages.
A possible expansion card failure has
occurred.
1. Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not a graphics card) and restarting the
computer. See Cards.
2. If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card,
and then restart the computer.
3. Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last
card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see Software and Hardware
Incompatibilities).
4. If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Routine system activity preceding video
initialization.
Watch your monitor for on-screen messages.
The computer is in a normal operating
condition after POST.
NOTE: The diagnostic lights flicker briefly;
they are turned off after the computer
successfully boots to the operating
system.
None.
Code
Cause
1-1-2
Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3
NVRAM read/write failure
1-1-4
ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1
Programmable interval timer failure
1-2-2
DMA initialization failure
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write failure
1-3
Video Memory Test failure
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
Memory not being properly identified or used
1-3-2
Memory problem
3-1-1
Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2
Master DMA register failure
3-1-3
Master interrupt mask register failure
3-1-4
Slave interrupt mask register failure
3-2-2
Interrupt vector loading failure
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test failure
3-3-1
NVRAM power loss
3-3-2
Invalid NVRAM configuration
3-3-4
Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1
Screen initialization failure
3-4-2
Screen retrace failure
3-4-3
Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1
No timer tick