Troubleshooting, Tools, Power Lights, Beep Codes | Dell A100, A180

Troubleshooting

CAUTION: To guard against the likelihood of electric shock, laceration by moving fan blades, or other expected injuries, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions that shipped with your computer.

Tools

Power Lights

The power-button light located on the front of the computer turns on 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.

Troubleshooting

•If the power light is steady blue and the computer is not responding, ensure that the display is connected and powered on.

•If the power light is blinking blue (Vostro™ A100 only), the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse, or press the power button to resume normal operation.

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 consists of repetitive three short beeps. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a possible system board failure.

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Dell A100, A180 specifications Troubleshooting, Tools, Power Lights, Beep Codes

Contents

Setup Quick Reference Guide Model Dcmtlf July U792G Contents Technical Support and Customer Reinstalling SoftwareDell Technical Update Service Finding Information AutoTech Service Automated Order-Status Contents Front View About Your Computer Back View Vostro A100 Back Panel Connectors Vostro A180 Quick Setup Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Internet service Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure Connecting to the Internet Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System Setting Up Your Internet Connection Transferring Information to a New Computer Setting Up Your Computer System Information Vostro A100 Vostro A180 SpecificationsProcessor MB for Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor 10/100 communication Interrupt levels Bios chip NvramMemory Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Audio Video Vostro A100Type Integrated Intel integrated video GMA Than 512 MB Expansion Bus Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Drives Vostro A100 Vostro A180 PCI Express OnePCI Express lane PCI Express lanes Connectors Vostro A100 Vostro A180 One 4-pin connector System board connectorsTwo 7-pin connectors Four 7-pin connectors One 34-pin connector Controls and Lights Vostro A100 Vostro A180 Yellow blinking light Green light Power on stateControls and Lights Vostro A100 Rear of computer Physical Power Environmental Airborne contaminant level Altitude15.2 to 3048 m -50 to 10,000 ft 15.2 to 10,668 m -50 to 35,000 ft Beep Codes TroubleshootingPower Lights Tools Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Code Description DA T a Error The hard drive cannot read the data Error Messages T E N D E D M E M O R Y S I Z E H a S Do not use these characters in filenames Y B O a R D C L O C K L I N E F a I L U R E For C E N S E D C O N T E N T I S N O T a C C E S S I B L E I N OP E R a T I N G S YS T E M N O T F O U N D See the program documentation for installation instructions Click Uninstall T R E a D Y Insert a disk into the drive and try again System Messages R D -D I S K D R I V E R E a D F a I L U R E Dell Diagnostics Troubleshooting Software and Hardware ProblemsTo start the Hardware Troubleshooter Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Type 1 to start the CD menu and press Enter to proceed Insert the Drivers and Utilities media Power Problems Troubleshooting TipsFollow these tips when troubleshooting your computer Ensure that the display is connected and powered on Memory ProblemsReseat the memory modules see your Run the Dell Diagnostics see Dell Diagnostics on Lockups and Software Problems Computer does not start upComputer stops responding Solid blue screen appears Then reinstall the programProgram stops responding Program crashes repeatedly Dell Technical Update Service Other software problems Troubleshooting Click Properties→ Device Manager Reinstalling SoftwareDrivers Identifying Drivers Click the Drivers tab→ Roll Back Driver Using the Drivers and Utilities Media At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next Manually Reinstalling Drivers Restoring Your Operating System Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Click Undo my last restoration and click Next Starting System RestoreUndoing the Last System Restore Click Start Dell Factory Image Restore Windows Vista Only Using Dell Factory Image RestoreSelect Repair Your Computer Click Dell Factory Image Restore Using the Operating System Media Before you BeginClick Finish to restart the computer If the Install Windows message appears, click Exit Reinstalling Windows Operating System Media Finding Information Documentation Document/Media/Label Contents Drivers and Utilities MediaSafety, Regulatory, Warranty, and Support Be found at support.dell.com Microsoft Windows License Label Document/Media/Label ContentsSupport.dell.com Dell Technology Guide Finding Information Getting Help Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist onObtaining Assistance Technical Support and Customer Service Online Services Automated Order-Status Service AutoTech Service Product Information Problems With Your Order Before You Call Name Date Diagnostics Checklist For customers in the United States, call 800-WWW Dell Contacting Dell Getting Help Beep codes IndexContacting Dell, 63 License label Media Operating System media, 59 operating system product key Operating system Dell Factory Image Restore, 56 media Setup computer Index Index