Power LED Light Status Possible Cause Troubleshooting Steps
• If the display is connected
and turned on, listen for a
beep code.
Diagnostic Error Messages
Error Messages Description
AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE The touchpad or external mouse may be faulty. For
an external mouse, check the cable connection.
Enable the Pointing Device option in the system
setup program.
BAD COMMAND OR FILE NAME Ensure that you have spelled the command
correctly, put spaces in the proper place, and used
the correct pathname.
CACHE DISABLED DUE TO FAILURE The primary cache internal to the microprocessor
has failed. Contact Dell.
CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE The optical drive does not respond to commands
from the computer.
DATA ERROR The hard drive cannot read the data.
DECREASING AVAILABLE MEMORY One or more memory modules may be faulty or
improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules
or, if necessary, replace them.
DISK C: FAILED INITIALIZATION The hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard
drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
DRIVE NOT READY The operation requires a hard drive in the bay
before it can continue. Install a hard drive in the
hard drive bay.
ERROR READING PCMCIA CARD The computer cannot identify the ExpressCard.
Reinsert the card or try another card.
EXTENDED MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED The amount of memory recorded in non-volatile
memory (NVRAM) does not match the memory
installed in the computer. Restart the computer. If
the error appears again, contact Dell.
THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE
DESTINATION DRIVE
The file that you are trying to copy is too large to fit
on the disk, or the disk is full. Try copying the file to
a different disk or use a larger capacity disk.
A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? " < > | -
Do not use these characters in filenames.
GATE A20 FAILURE A memory module may be loose. Reinstall the
memory modules or, if necessary, replace them.
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