Troubleshooting Your System 101
Troubleshooting Serial I/O Problems
Problem
• Error message indicates a problem with a serial port.
• Device connected to a serial port is not operating properly.
Action
1
Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the serial port is enabled and configured correctly for
your application. See "Using the System Setup Program" on page31.
2
If the problem is confined to a particular application, see the application documentation for specific
port configuration requirements that the program may require.
3
Run the appropriate online diagnostic test. See "Using Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics" on page117.
If the tests run successfully but the problem persists, see Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device.

Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device

Problem
• Device connected to the serial port is not operating properly.
Action
1
Turn off the system and any peripheral devices connected to the serial port.
2
Swap the serial interface cable with a working cable, and turn on the system and the serial device.
If the problem is resolved, replace the interface cable.
3
Turn off the system and the serial device, and swap the device with a comparable device.
4
Turn on the system and the serial device.
If the problem is resolved, replace the serial device. See "Getting Help" on page129.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help" on page 129.

Troubleshooting a USB Device

Problem
• System message indicates a problem with a USB device.
• Device connected to a USB port is not operating properly.
Action
1
Enter the System Setup program, and ensure that the USB ports are enabled. See "Using the System
Setup Program" on page31.