Service Manual

Codes and Messages 3-1
CHAPTER 3
Codes and Messages
This chapter describes beep codes, system messages, alert messages from
the Dell OpenManage HIP application, and SCSI hard-disk drive indicator codes
that can occur during POST or during normal system operation. Tables 3-1 and
3-2 list faults that can cause a beep code or system message to occur and the
probable causes of the fault in each case. Table 3-3 explains the hard-disk drive
indicator patterns.
If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system messages to
indicate a failure, you should use the Dell Diagnostics to run the appropriate
tests to help isolate the source of the problem. See Chapter 5, ”Running the
Dell Diagnostics,” in the 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 3-1 lists the beep codes that may be
generated during the POST. Most beep codes indicate a fatal error that pre-
vents the system from completing the boot routine until the indicated
condition is corrected.
When the system emits a beep code, record the code and then find it in
Table 3-1. If the table does not lead to the source of the problem, run the
appropriate tests in the Dell Diagnostics to assist in troubleshooting the
problem.