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 workstation 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 workstation 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 workstation 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
Activity | Beeps | Possible Cause | Recommended Action | |
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Green Power LED On. | None | Workstation on. | None | |
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| |
Green Power LED flashes every | None | Workstation in Suspend to | None required. Press any key or move the mouse | |
two seconds. |
| RAM mode (some models | to wake the workstation. | |
|
| only) or normal Suspend |
|
|
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| mode. |
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| |
Red Power LED flashes two | 2 | Processor thermal | 1. Ensure that the workstation 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 |
| 2. Open hood, press power button, and see if | ||
iteration but LEDs continue until |
| not turning. | ||
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 assembly |
| plugged onto the system board header. |
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| |
|
| is not properly attached to | 3. If fan is plugged in, but is not spinning, then | |
|
| the processor. |
| replace heatsink/fan assembly. |
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|
Red Power LED flashes three | 3 | Processor not installed (not | 1. | Check to see that the processor is present. |
times, once every second, |
| an indicator of bad | 2. | Reseat the processor. |
followed by a two second |
| processor). | ||
pause. Beeps stop after fifth |
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iteration but LEDs continue until |
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problem is solved. |
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ENWW | Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs and audible codes 115 |