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Dell OptiPlex GX150 User Manual

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System Beep Codes

When errors occur during a boot routine that cannot be reported on the monitor, your computer may emit a series of beeps that identify the
problem. The beep code is a pattern of sounds: for example, one beep, followed by a second beep, and then a burst of three beeps (code 1-1-3)
means that the computer was unable to read the data in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is invaluable to the Dell
support staff if you need to call for technical assistance.

When a beep code is emitted, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in "

Getting Help

," and then look it up in Table 2. If you are

unable to resolve the problem by looking up the meaning of the beep code, use the

Dell Diagnostics

to identify a more serious cause. If you are still

unable to resolve the problem, see "

Getting Help

" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Table 2. System Beep Codes

sector on the disk, or the requested
sector is defective.

Reset failed

The disk reset operation failed.

See "

Drive Problems

."

Sector not found

The operating system is unable to
locate a sector on the diskette or
hard drive.

See "

Drive Problems

."

Seek error

The operating system is unable to
find a specific track on the diskette
or hard drive.

If the error is on the diskette drive, try
another diskette in the drive.

Shutdown failure

A chip on the system board might be
malfunctioning.

Run the System Board Devices tests in
the

Dell Diagnostics

.

Time-of-day clock stopped

The battery may be dead.

Enter

system setup

and correct the date

or time.

If the problem persists, see "

Battery

Problems

."

Time-of-day not set

The time or date displayed in the
system configuration information
does not match the system clock.

Enter

system setup

and correct the date

or time.

Timer chip counter 2 failed

A chip on the system board might be
malfunctioning.

Run the System Board Devices tests in
the

Dell Diagnostics

.

Unexpected interrupt in protected mode

The keyboard controller may be
malfunctioning, or one or more
DIMMs may be loose.

Run the System Memory and the
Keyboard tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

.

WARNING: Dell's Disk Monitoring System
has detected that drive [0/1] on the
[primary/secondary] 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.

Power-on self-test (POST) has
queried the enhanced integrated
drive electronics (EIDE) drive for
status information. The drive has
returned a parameter from the call
that indicates it has detected
possible error conditions for its
operating specifications.

Once your computer finishes booting,
immediately back up your data and
replace your hard drive. Restore the data
to the replaced drive.

If a replacement drive is not immediately
available and the drive is not the only
bootable drive, enter

system setup

and

change the appropriate drive setting to
None. Remove the drive from the system.
This should be done only after you have
backed up the data.

Write fault

Write fault on selected drive

The operating system cannot write to
the diskette or hard drive.

See "

Drive Problems

."

Code

Cause

Action

1-1-2

Microprocessor register failure

See "

Getting Help

" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

1-1-3

NVRAM

Run the System Board Devices tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

, if possible.

1-1-4

ROM BIOS checksum failure

Run the System Board Devices tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

, if possible.

1-2-1

Programmable interval timer

Run the System Board Devices tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

, if possible.

1-2-2

Direct memory access (DMA)
initialization failure

Run the System Board Devices tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

, if possible.

1-2-3

DMA page register read/write failure

Run the System Board Devices tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

, if possible.

1-3

Video Memory Test failure

Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the

Dell Diagnostics

.

1-3-1 through
2-4-4

DIMMs not being properly identified
or used

See "

System Memory Problems

."