Dell Precision 420 - Manual (Page 106)

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 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
Write fault on selected drive
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary .
Code Cause Action
1-1-2 Microprocessor register failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
1-1-3 NVRAM unreadable Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
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 RIMMs not being properly identified or used See " Troubleshooting System Memory ."
1-3-2 No RIMM detected Install RIMM pair or reseat RIMMs.
1-3-3 through
2-4-4 RIMMs not being properly identified or used See " Troubleshooting System Memory ."
3-1-1 Slave DMA register failure Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics , if possible.
3-1-2 Master DMA register failure Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics , if possible.
3-1-3 Master interrupt mask register failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-2-2 Interrupt vector loading failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-2-4 Keyboard Controller Test failure Run the Keyboard tests in the Dell Diagnostics . Otherwise, see " Getting
Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
3-3-1 NVRAM power loss Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics , if possible.
3-3-2 NVRAM configuration Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics , if possible.
3-3-4 Video Memory Test failure Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
3-4-1 Screen initialization failure Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
3-4-2 Screen retrace failure Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
3-4-3 Search for video ROM failure Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
4-2-1 No time tick See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-2 Shutdown failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-3 Gate A20 failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-3-1 Memory failure above address 0FFFFh Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
4-3-3 Timer-chip counter 2 failure See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-3-4 Time-of-day clock stopped See " Getting Help " for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
4-4-1 Serial or parallel port test failure Run the Serial Ports and the Parallel Ports tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
4-4-2 Failure to decompress code to shadowed
memory. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics .