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Beep codes, System messages – Dell Dimension E521 User Manual

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Beep Codes

Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies
a problem. One possible beep code consists of one long beep and then two short beeps. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory
test failure.

If your computer beeps during start-up:

 

1.

Write down the beep code.

 

2.

Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause (see Dell Diagnostics).

 

System Messages

Memory modules are detected, but a
memory failure has occurred.

l

 

If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one

module (see

Installing Memory

), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts

normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty
module or reinstalled all modules without error.

l

 

If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see

Installing Memory

).

l

 

If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

A possible graphics card failure has
occurred.

l

 

If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card, reinstall it (see

PCI Express

Cards

), and then restart the computer.

l

 

If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the

computer.

l

 

If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics, contact Dell (see

"Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

A possible floppy or hard drive failure
has occurred.

Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.

A possible USB failure has occurred.

Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.

No memory modules are detected.

l

 

If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one

module (see

Installing Memory

), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts

normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty
module or reinstalled all modules without error.

l

 

If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see

Installing Memory

).

l

 

If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

Memory modules are detected, but a
memory configuration or compatibility
error exists.

l

 

Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist

(see

Memory Installation Guidelines

).

l

 

Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your

computer (see

Memory Installation Guidelines

).

l

 

If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

Another failure has occurred.

l

 

Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive,

CD drive, and DVD drive (see

Drives

).

l

 

If there is an error message on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as

the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to ensure that it is functioning properly.

l

 

If the problem persists, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).

After POST is complete, all four
diagnostic lights turn green briefly
before turning off to indicate normal
operating condition.

None.

 

Code

 

Cause

2 short, 1 long

BIOS checksum error

1 long, 2 short

Memory test failure (bad memory during memory sizing)

1 long, 3 short, 2 short No memory

1 short

F12 key pressed

NOTE:

If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running

when the message appeared.