Dell XE specifications Diagnostic Lights, Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution

3-3-2	Invalid NVRAM configuration
3-3-4	Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1	Screen initialization failure
3-4-2	Screen retrace failure
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1	No timer tick
4-2-2	Shutdown failure
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-1	Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
4-3-3	Timer-chip counter 2 failure
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped
4-4-1	Serial or parallel port test failure
4-4-2	Failure to decompress code to shadowed memory
4-4-3	Math-coprocessor test failure
4-4-4	Cache test failure

Diagnostic Lights

To help troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the bank panel. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash before turning off. If the computer malfunctions, the sequence of the lights help to identify the problem.

NOTE: After the computer completes POST, all four lights turn off before booting to the operating system.

Light Pattern	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
	The computer is in a normal off	• Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet.
	condition or a possible pre-BIOS	• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	failure has occurred.
	The diagnostic lights are not lit
	after the computer successfully
	boots to the operating system.
	A possible processor failure has	• Reseat the processor (see Processor information for your computer).
	occurred.	• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	Memory modules are detected, but	• If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules, then reinstall one module
	a memory failure has occurred.	and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional
		memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all
		modules without error.
		• If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer.
		• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	A possible graphics card failure has	• Reseat any installed graphics cards.
	occurred.	• If available, install a working graphics card into your computer.
		• If the problem persists, contact Dell .
	A possible floppy drive or hard	Reseat all power and data cables.
	drive failure has occurred.
	A possible USB failure has occurred.	Reinstall all USB devices and check all cable connections.
	No memory modules are detected.	• If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules, then reinstall one module
		and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional
		memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all
		modules without error.
		• If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer.
		• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	Memory modules are detected, but	• Ensure that no special requirements for memory module/connector placement exist.
	a memory configuration or	• Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer (see the Specifications
	compatibility error has occurred.	section for your computer).
		• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	A possible expansion card failure	• Determine if a conflict exists by removing an expansion card (not a graphics card) and
	has occurred.	restarting the computer.
		• If the problem persists, reinstall the card you removed, then remove a different card and
		restart the computer.
		• Repeat this process for each expansion card installed. If the computer starts normally,
		troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts.
		• If the problem persists, contact Dell.
	Another failure has occurred.	• Ensure that all hard drive and optical drive cables are properly connected to the system
		board .
		• If there is an error message on the screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the
		floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to make sure it is functioning properly.