88 Troubleshooting
Error Messages
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see "Diagnostics Checklist" on page153) as you complete these
checks.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the
Product
Information Guide
.
If the message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was
running when the message appeared.
AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE —The touch pad, track stick, or external mouse may be faulty. For an external
mouse, check the cable connection. Enable the Pointing Device option in the system setup program. If
the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Obtaining Assistance" on page 149).
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 (see "Obtaining Assistance" on page 149).
CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE —The CD drive does not respond to commands from the computer (see
"Dell Support Utility" on page 84).
DATA ERROR —The hard drive cannot read the data (see "Dell Support Utility" on page84).
DECREASING AVAILABLE MEMORY —One or more memory modules may be faulty or improperly seated.
Reinstall the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them (see "Memory Problems" on page94).
DISK C: FAILED INITIALIZATION —The hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard drive tests in the Dell
Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 81).
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 (see "Drive Problems" on page85).
ERROR READING PCMCIA CARD —The computer cannot identify the PC Card. Reinsert the card or try
another PC Card (see "Installing a PC Card or ExpressCard" on page66).
EXTENDED MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED —The amount of memory recorded in NVRAM does not match
the memory installed in the computer. Restart the computer. If the error appears again, contact Dell (see
"Obtaining Assistance" on page149).
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 too 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 and, if necessary,
replace them (see "Memory Problems" on page94).
GENERAL FAILURE —The operating system is unable to carry out the command. The message is usually
followed by specific information—for example, Printer out of paper. Take the appropriate
action.