Solving POST Error Message Problems: If you receive an error message
during the power-on-self-test (POST), completing the steps outlined in this section
might enable you to resolve the problem.
Note
If you have just added, removed, or changed the location of a device and you
receive an error message, follow the procedure described in the Important text
box on page 22. If the procedure on page 22 does not eliminate the error
message, then proceed with the following instructions.
1. Write down all error code numbers and descriptions that appear on the screen
as you start your computer. (Note that a single problem can cause several error
messages to appear. When you correct the cause of the first error message, the
other error messages probably will not appear on the screen the next time you
turn on your computer.)
2. If you have set a power-on password, a password prompt appears. (You must
wait approximately one minute after the memory count numbers stop cycling in
the top-left corner of the screen for the password prompt to appear.) If you
have set both power-on and administrator passwords, you can type either of the
passwords at the password prompt. However, if you think you might need to
change any settings in the Configuration/Setup Utility program, you must type
your administrator password at the password prompt. If you type your
power-on password, you will be able to view error codes and error code
descriptions displayed on the POST Startup Errors screen, and you will also be
able to view limited information in the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
However, you will not be able to change any settings.
3. In the case of most errors, the Configuration/Setup Utility program starts
automatically so that you can attempt to identify and correct the problem.
When the Configuration/Setup Utility program starts, a screen labeled POST
Startup Errors appears. (Note that the POST Startup Errors screen does not
appear immediately. You must wait approximately one minute.) If the POST
Startup Errors screen does not appear, proceed to step 6.
4. At the POST Startup Errors screen, select Continue if you want to access the
Configuration/Setup Utility program menu. Select Exit Setup if you want to
exit the Configuration/Setup Utility program. (See the Important text box in
step 5 for information on exiting the Configuration/Setup Utility program
without making any changes to current settings.) To select an item, press Up
Arrow (↑) or Down Arrow (↓) to highlight the item, and then press Enter.
5. If you selected Continue in step 4, the Configuration/Setup Utility program
menu appears on the screen. You will see a pointer next to any menu items
64 Using Your Personal Computer