Interpreting POST Diagnostic Front Panel LEDs and Audible Codes

This section covers the front panel LED codes as well as the audible codes that may occur before or during POST that do not necessarily have an error code or text message associated with them.

WARNING! When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, voltage is always applied to the system board. To reduce the risk of personal injury from electrical shock and/or hot surfaces, be sure to disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and allow the internal system components to cool before touching.

Look for the LED on the system board. If the LED is illuminated, the system still has power. Power off the computer and remove the power cord before proceeding.

NOTE: If you see flashing LEDs on a PS/2 keyboard, look for flashing LEDs on the front panel of the computer and refer to the following table to determine the front panel LED codes.

Recommended actions in the following table are listed in the order in which they should be performed.

Not all diagnostic lights and audible codes are available on all models.

Table A-2Diagnostic Front Panel LEDs and Audible Codes

Activity

Beeps

Possible Cause

Recommended Action

 

 

 

 

Green Power LED On.

None

Computer on.

None

 

 

 

 

Green Power LED flashes

None

Computer in Suspend to

None required. Press any key or move the mouse

every two seconds.

 

RAM mode (some models

to wake the computer.

 

 

only) or normal Suspend

 

 

 

 

mode.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Power LED flashes two

2

Processor thermal

1.

Ensure that the computer air vents are not

times, once every second,

 

protection activated:

 

blocked and the processor cooling fan is

followed by a two second

 

A fan may be blocked or

 

running.

pause. Beeps stop after fifth

 

 

 

iteration but LEDs continue

 

not turning.

2.

Open hood, press power button, and see if

until problem is solved.

 

OR

 

the processor fan spins. If the processor fan

 

 

 

is not spinning, make sure the fan's cable is

 

 

The heatsink/fan

 

plugged onto the system board header.

 

 

 

 

 

 

assembly is not properly

3.

If fan is plugged in, but is not spinning, then

 

 

attached to the processor.

 

replace heatsink/fan assembly.

 

 

 

4.

Contact an authorized reseller or service

 

 

 

 

provider.

 

 

 

 

 

Red Power LED flashes three

3

Processor not installed

1.

Check to see that the processor is present.

times, once every second,

 

(not an indicator of bad

2.

Reseat the processor.

followed by a two second

 

processor).

pause. Beeps stop after fifth

 

 

 

 

iteration but LEDs continue

 

 

 

 

until problem is solved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54 Appendix A POST Error Messages

ENWW