Dell Understanding Beep Codes and Error Messages for Effective Troubleshooting

Amber LED State	Description
3,6	possible system board resource and/or hardware failure
3,7	some other failure with messages on screen

Beep Code

The computer can emit a series of beeps during start-up if the display does not show errors or problems. These series of beeps, called beep codes, identify various problems. The delay between each beep is 300 ms, the delay between each set of beeps is 3 sec, and the beep sound lasts 300 ms. After each beep and each set of beeps, the BIOS should detect if the user presses the power button. If so, BIOS will jump out from looping and execute the normal shutdown process and power system.

Code	1-3-2
Cause	Memory failure

NOTE: 1. If the system is attached with an internal speaker we can hear the beep sound directly.

NOTE: 2. If the system does have an internal speaker, connect an external speaker to line out connection to hear the beep sound.

NOTE: User can also check the power LED behavior instead of the beep code for troubleshooting purpose.

Error Messages

Error Message	Description
Address mark not	The BIOS found a faulty disk sector or could not find a particular disk sector.
found
Alert! Previous	The computer failed to complete the boot routine three consecutive times for the
attempts at	same error. Contact Dell and report the checkpoint code (nnnn) to the support
booting this	technician
system have failed
at checkpoint

[nnnn].For help in

resolving this problem, please note this checkpoint and contact Dell Technical Support.

Alert! Security	The MFG_MODE jumper has been set and AMT Management features are disabled
override Jumper is	until it is removed.
installed.
Attachment failed	The floppy or hard drive controller cannot send data to the associated drive.
to respond

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