Quick Reference Guide 27
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 (code 1 3-1)
consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the
computer encountered a memory problem.
If your computer beeps during start-up:
1
Write down the beep code.
2
See "Dell Diagnostics" on page21 to identify a more serious cause.
3
Contact Dell for technical assistance. For information on contacting Dell, see your online
User’s Guide
.
Memory modules are detected, but a memory
configuration or compatibility error exists.
• Ensure that no
special memory
module/memory connector placement
requirements
exist.
• Verify that the
memory modules
that
you are installing are compatible with
your computer.
• If the problem persists,
contact Dell
. For
information on contacting Dell, see your
online
User’s Guide
.
A failure has occurred.
This pattern also displays when you enter system
setup and may not indicate a problem.
• Ensure that the cables are properly
connected to the system board from the
hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive.
• Check the computer message that
appears on your monitor screen.
• If the problem persists,
contact Dell
. For
information on contacting Dell, see your
online
User’s Guide
.
Code Cause Code Cause
1-1-2 Microprocessor register failure 3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure
1-1-3 NVRAM read/write failure 3-2-2 Interrupt vector loading failure
1-1-4 ROM BIOS checksum failure 3-2-4 Keyboard Controller test failure
1-2-1 Programmable interval timer failure 3-3-1 NVRAM power loss
1-2-2 DMA initialization failure 3-3-2 Invalid NVRAM configuration
1-2-3 DMA page register read/write failure 3-3-4 Video Memory test failure
1-3 Video Memory test failure 3-4-1 Screen initialization failure
Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
book.book Page 27 Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:21 AM