Manuals

Codes and Messages: Dell PowerEdge 300 Systems Service Manual

Codes and Messages: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 300 Systems Service Manual

	Overview		System Error Messages
	POST Beep Codes		Alert Messages From Dell OpenManage Server Agent

Overview

This file describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system operation. The tables in this file list faults that can cause a beep code or system error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to indicate a failure, you should run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics to help isolate the source of the problem. See "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in the Dell PowerEdge 300 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.

POST Beep Codes

If the monitor cannot display error messages during the POST, the system may emit a series of beeps that identifies the problem or that can help you identify a faulty component or assembly. Table 1 lists the beep codes that may be generated during the POST. Most beep codes indicate an error that may prevent the system from completing the boot routine until the indicated condition is corrected. If the table does not lead to the source of the problem, run the appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics (see the Dell PowerEdge 300 Installation and Troubleshooting Guide) to assist in troubleshooting the problem.

Table 1. POST Beep Codes

Beep Code	Error	Corrective Action
1-1-3	NVRAM write/read failure	Replace the system board.
1-1-4	BIOS checksum failure	Reflash the BIOS firmware. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer failure	Replace the system board.
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read failure
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
1-3-2	No 100-MHz DIMM installed
1-3-3	Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-3-4	Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-1	Address line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
1-4-2	Parity failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
2-1-1 through 2-4-4	Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory
3-1-1	Slave DMA-register failure	Replace the system board.
3-1-2	Master DMA-register failure
3-1-3	Master interrupt-mask register failure
3-1-4	Slave interrupt-mask register failure
3-2-4	Keyboard-controller test failure	Check the keyboard cable and connector for proper connection. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
3-3-4	Screen initialization failure	Faulty video subsystem (defective graphics adapter card). Run the Video test group in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-1	Screen re-trace test failure
3-4-2	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1	No timer tick	Replace the system board.
4-2-2	Shutdown failure
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Ensure that all expansion cards are properly seated, and then reboot the system.
4-3-1	Memory failure above address 0FFFFh	Remove and reseat the DIMMs. If the problem persists, replace the DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
4-3-3	Timer-chip counter 2 failure	Replace the system board.
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
4-4-1	Serial/parallel port test failure	Replace the system board.

System Error Messages

Table 2 lists (in alphabetical order) system error messages that can appear on the monitor screen. These messages can help you find the source of a problem.

Fatal System Error Messages

Some error messages indicate fatal errors. When a fatal error occurs, the system usually cannot be rebooted until an appropriate hardware change has been made. The following messages indicate that a fatal error has occurred. Their definitions and probable causes are listed in Table 2.

Alert! Primary processor is out of rev. System halted
Alert! Secondary processor is out of rev. System halted
Bad error-correction code (ECC) on disk read
Controller has failed
Data error
ECC memory error
Gate A20 failure
Hard disk controller failure
Hard disk drive read failure
Hard disk failure
Keyboard clock line failure
Keyboard controller failure
Keyboard data line failure
Keyboard stuck key failure
No timer tick interrupt
Previous unrecoverable memory error or system error (NMI) occurred.
Shutdown failure
Terminator/processor card not installed! System halted!
Timer chip counter 2 failed

Table 2. System Error Messages

Message	Cause	Corrective Action
Address mark not found	BIOS found faulty disk sector or could not find particular disk sector.	Check the disk interface cable and connector for a proper connection. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Attachment failed to respond	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller cannot send data to associated drive.
Alert! Cover was previously removed.	Cover was previously removed.	Reset the chassis intrusion detector.
Alert! Hard disk drive thermal probe failure detected.	Hard-disk drive thermal probe has failed.	No hard-disk drive thermal probe installed, defective thermal probe, or thermal cable not connected to the control panel. Check the thermal probe cable connection, and add or replace the probe assembly.
Alert! One or more of the Memory DIMMs are out of rev.	System detected that one or more of the DIMMs are not the correct revision.	Replace one or more DIMMs with DIMMs that meet meet Intel's SPD 1.2 specification (66-MHz DIMMs from Dell).
Alert! Power supply fan failure detected.	Power supply fan has failed.	Replace the power supply. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Alert! Previous fan failure.	System fan failed during the previous operating session.	Ensure the fan cable is connected and that a fan is installed. Reconnect the fan cable or replace the fan.
Alert! Previous hard-disk drive thermal failure.	No hard-disk drive thermal probe installed, defective thermal probe, or thermal cable not connected to the control panel.	Check the thermal probe cable connection, and add or replace the probe assembly.
Alert! Previousprocessor thermal failure.	The microprocessor exceeded its recommended operating temperature during the previous operating session.	Ensure the system vents are not blocked and that the fan operates.
Alert! Previous voltage failure.	System voltage exceeded or fell below an acceptable threshold.	Replace the power supply.
Alert! Primary processor is out of rev.	System detected that the primary processor is not the correct revision. If the system contains more than 512 MB of RAM.	Replace with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Alert! Processor thermal probe failure detected.	Microprocessor or system board has failed.	Replace the microprocessor. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Alert! Secondary processor is out of rev.	System detected that the secondary processor is not the correct revision. If the system contains more than 512 MB of RAM.	Replace with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Alert! Single-bit memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	Single-bit ECC error was detected during the previous operating session.	Reseat or replace one or more DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Alert! System fan was not detected.	System fan was not detected.	Check that the fan cable is properly connected. If the cable is connected, replace the fan.
Alert! Unbuffered and registered SDRAM DIMMs cannot be mixed.	Mixing of unbuffered and registered SDRAM DIMMs is not supported.	Replace one or more DIMMs so all DIMMs are either unbuffered DIMMs or registered DIMMs.
Alert! Uncorrectable memory error previously detected in XXXXh.	Multibit ECC error was detected during the previous operating session.	Reseat or replace DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Auxiliary Device failure. Verify that mouse and keyboard are securely attached to connectors.	System detected a mouse failure.	Ensure a mouse is connected to the mouse connector. If the failure persists, replace the system board.
Bad command or file name	Command entered does not exist, is faulty, or is not in pathname specified.	Correct the command or filename and re-enter the command.
Bad error-correction code (ECC) on disk read	Diskette drive or hard-disk drive controller detected an uncorrectable read error.	Replace the system board.
Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR	A nonbootable diskette formatted with Microsoft® Windows NT® was detected in the diskette drive.	Remove the diskette from the diskette drive and allow the system to boot from the hard-disk drive or, replace the diskette with a bootable Windows NT diskette.
Controller has failed	Hard-disk drive or associated controller is defective.	Ensure the CMOS settings for the installed hard-disk drives are correct. If CMOS disk settings are correct, replace the hard-disk drive. If failure still occurs, replace the system board.
Data error	System received unrecoverable data-read error from diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette, diskette drive, or hard-disk drive.
Decreasing available memory	Read/write failure during POST prevents system from using available memory.	Reseat or replace one or more DIMMs.
Diskette drive 0 seek failure	Diskette/tape drive controller could not locate specific sector or track.	Replace the diskette drive or tape drive. Ensure settings for diskette drive or tape drive are correct in the System Setup program. Check drive interface and power cables.
Diskette drive 1 seek failure
Diskette read failure	Failure occurred while system attempted to read diskette.	Replace the diskette. Ensure the diskette interface cables are properly connected and that the power cable is attached. Replace the diskette drive.
Diskette subsystem reset failed	System could not successfully issue reset command to diskette controller.	Replace the system board.
Diskette write protected	Diskette write-protect feature was activated.	Close the diskette write-protect sliding tab.
Drive not ready	Diskette is missing from or is improperly inserted in diskette drive.	Ensure the diskette is properly inserted in the drive. Run chkdsk or another disk verification utility to ensure the diskette is formatted and not defective.
ECC memory error	Uncorrectable multibit ECC memory error is detected.	Reseat or replace all DIMMs. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Gate A20 failure	Gate A20 of the keyboard controller malfunctioned.	Replace the system board.
General failure	Operating system cannot execute command.	Reinstall the operating system.
Hard disk controller failure	Hard-disk drive failed to initialize.	Examine and correct disk configuration settings in System Setup program. Check the drive power and interface cables to ensure they are properly connected. Replace the system board.
Hard disk drive read failure
Hard disk failure
Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program	System Setup program contains incorrect system configuration settings.	Examine and verify the configuration settings in the System Setup program. Replace the battery and reconfigure using the System Setup program. Ensure that the ISA_CLR jumper is not installed on the system board.
Keyboard clock line failure	System cannot communicate with keyboard.	Check the keyboard cable for a proper connection. Replace the system board.
Keyboard failure
Keyboard data line failure
Keyboard stuck key failure
Keyboard controller failure	Keyboard/mouse controller failed.	Replace the system board.
Memory address line failure at address, read value expecting value	During memory test, value read at address was incorrect.	Reseat or replace one or more DIMMs. If problem persists, replace the system board.
Memory data line failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory odd/even logic failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory write/read failure at address, read value expecting value
Memory allocation error	Software in use conflicts with operating system, application program, or utility.	Contact the application vendor for technical support.
Memory tests terminated by keystroke	Memory test did not complete.	No action required. The POST memory tests were terminated by the user by pressing <Spacebar>.
Network card is not present in the system	System does not detect NIC.	Reseat the NIC. Reinstall NIC drivers.
No boot device available	System does not recognize diskette drive or hard-disk drive from which it is trying to boot.	If booting from a diskette, ensure a bootable diskette is in the diskette drive. If booting from a hard-disk drive, replace the hard-disk drive. If problem persists, replace the system board.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive	Incorrect configuration settings in System Setup program, or corrupted operating system.	Verify the System Setup information is correct. Install an operating system on the hard-disk drive.
No timer tick interrupt	Timer on system board is malfunctioning.	Replace the system board.
Non-system disk or disk error	Diskette in drive A or hard-disk drive does not have bootable operating system installed on it.	Ensure the diskette is a bootable diskette. If booting from a hard-disk drive, ensure the hard-disk drive is formatted and contains an operating system. Replace the system board.
Not a boot diskette	No operating system on diskette.	Replace the diskette with a bootable diskette.
Plug and Play Configuration Error	System encountered problem in trying to configure one or more expansion cards.	Manually resolve IRQ/DMA conflicts.
Previous unrecoverable memory error or system error (NMI) occurred.	Either a multi-bit ECC memory error or a PCI card failure was detected.	Reseat all DIMMs and all PCI cards and try again. If the problem still persists, replace the DIMMs and try again. If the problem still persists, replace the PCI cards and try again. If the problem still persists, replace the system board.
Processor is not in the primary slot	The only microprocessor in the system is in the secondary slot.	Move the processor to the primary slot.
Processors with different speeds detected	More than one processor running at different speeds have been detected. System is halted because Intel does not support running processors with different speeds.	Replace processor running at wrong speed with a processor running at the proper speed.
Read fault	The MS-DOS® operating system cannot read from diskette or hard-disk drive.	Repair (chkdsk), reformat, or replace the disk or diskette. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Requested sector not found	System could not find particular sector on disk, or requested sector is defective.
Reset failed	Disk reset operation failed.	Check the diskette, tape, or hard-disk interface and power cables for a proper connection.
Sector not found	MS-DOS is unable to locate sector on diskette or hard-disk drive.	Repair (chkdsk), reformat, or replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Seek error	MS-DOS is unable to locate specific track on diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Seek operation failed	System could not find particular address mark on disk.	Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Shutdown failure	System board chip is faulty.	Replace the system board.
System halted	System locked up because the processor is not the correct revision.	Ensure at least 512 MB of RAM is installed. Replace the processor with a Dell-supported microprocessor.
Terminator/processor card not installed! System halted!	System does not have terminator card or secondary processor.	Reseat or replace the terminator card or secondary processor.
Time-of-day clock stopped	System battery is low.	Replace the battery. If the problem persists, replace the system board.
Time-of-day not set	Time or Date settings in System Setup program are incorrect, or the system battery does not work.	Set the date and time. Replace the battery.
Timer chip counter 2 failed	Timer circuit on system board is malfunctioning.	Replace the system board.
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Improperly seated DIMMs or faulty keyboard/mouse controller chip (defective system board).	Reseat DIMMs. Replace the system board.
Unsupported CPU combination	A Pentium II and Pentium III are present. This processor combination is not supported.	Replace the Pentium II with a Pentium III.
Utility partition not available	A utility partition is not present on the hard drive.	Replace the hard-disk drive.
WARNING: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that drive [0/1] on the [0/1] EIDE controller is operating outside of normal specifications. It is advisable to immediately back up your data and replace your hard-disk drive by calling your support desk or Dell Computer Corporation.	POST queried EIDE drive for status. Drive detected possible error conditions.	Replace the hard-disk drive.
Warning: Unsupported CPU detected!	The system has detected either a very new or a very old processor.	BIOS needs to be updated for a new processor, or the old processor needs to be replaced.
Write fault	MS-DOS cannot write to diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Write fault on selected drive	MS-DOS cannot write to diskette or hard-disk drive.	Replace the diskette or hard-disk drive.

Alert Log Messages From the Dell OpenManage™ Server Agent

The optional Dell OpenManage Server Agent management application program generates alert messages that appear in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) trap log file. To see the trap log, select any enterprise under the SNMP trap log icon. More information about the Alert Log window and options is provided in the Dell OpenManage Server Agent documentation found on the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD.

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