Dell Precision 420 - Manual (Page 93)

Troubleshooting Expansion Cards
If an error message indicates an expansion-card problem or if an expansion card seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the problem could be a
faulty connection, a conflict with software or other hardware, or a faulty expansion card. To troubleshoot expansion cards, perform the following
steps:
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all the AC power cables from their electrical outlets. Also, disconnect
any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.
2. Remove the cover from your desktop chassis or from your mini tower chassis .
3. If you have a mini tower chassis, remove the AGP card brace according to the instructions in " Removing and Replacing the AGP Card
Brace ."
4. Verify that each expansion card is properly seated in its connector. If any expansion cards are loose, reseat them.
5. Verify that any cables are firmly connected to their corresponding connectors on the expansion cards. If any cables appear loose, reconnect
them.
For instructions on which cables should be attached to specific connectors on an expansion card, see the expansion card's documentation.
6. Remove all expansion cards except the video card.
7. Replace the computer cover on your desktop chassis or on your mini tower chassis , reconnect the system to an electrical outlet, and turn it
on.
8. Insert the Dell Precision ResourceCD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the system, and run the RAM test group in the Dell Diagnostics .
If the tests complete successfully, proceed to step 9. If any of the tests fail, see "
Getting Help " for information on obtaining technical
assistance.
9. Turn off the system, disconnect it from the electrical outlet, and remove the computer cover.
10. Reinstall one of the expansion cards that you removed previously, and repeat steps 7 and 8.
If any of the tests fail, the expansion card you just reinstalled is faulty and needs to be replaced. If the tests complete successfully, repeat
steps 9 and 10 with another expansion card.
11. If you have replaced all the expansion cards removed previously and the expansion card problem is not resolved, see " Getting Help " for
information on obtaining technical assistance.
Troubleshooting System Memory
A computer memory problem can be a faulty Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM) or a faulty system board. If a random-access memory (RAM)
error message appears, the computer may have a memory problem.
When you turn on or reboot the system, the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock indicators on the keyboard should flash momentarily and then turn off. If the
Num Lock option in
System Setup is set to On, the Num Lock indicator should flash momentarily and then remain on; otherwise, it should turn off.
Abnormal operation of these indicators can result from a defective RIMM in socket A. To troubleshoot system memory, perform the following steps:
1. Turn on the system, including any attached peripherals.
2. If an error message indicates invalid system configuration information, enter System Setup and check the System Memory option. If the
amount of memory displayed does not match the amount of memory installed, turn off the computer, disconnect it from the electrical outlet,
remove the cover from your
desktop chassis or from your mini tower chassis , and reseat the RIMMs in their sockets.
3. Replace the computer cover on your desktop chassis or on your mini tower chassis , reconnect the system to an electrical outlet, and turn it
on.
4. If the problem is not resolved, insert the Dell Precision ResourceCD into the CD-ROM drive, reboot the system, and run the RAM test group
in the Dell Diagnostics .
NOTE: Dell Precision WorkStation 420 systems are equipped with diagnostic LEDs to help provide information about possible
problems. Make note of any LED codes you observe before contacting Dell for technical assistance.
CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see " Safety First —For You and Your Computer ."
NOTE: Dell Precision WorkStation 420 systems are equipped with diagnostic LEDs to help provide information about possible
problems. Make note of any LED codes you observe before contacting Dell for technical assistance.
CAUTION: Before you remove the computer cover, see " Safety First —For You and Your Computer ."