Dell Inspiron 3700 Troubleshooting Guide
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support.dell.comError Messages and Flash Codes C-1
!
Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself can identify
problems and alert you to them. When this occurs, a message may appear on the
computers display or on an external monitor (if one is attached), or a flash code may
be emitted. This appendix documents the diagnostic codes, flash codes, and system
messages generated by the system basic input/output system (BIOS). For other
messages, refer to the documentation for your application program or operating
system.
If an error message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the
message. For an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting any
errors, see Table C-1. The messages are listed alphabetically.
NOTE: If the message is not listed In Table C-1, see the documentation for the
application program that was running at the time the message appeared and/or
the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and a
recommended action.
(*+
2
4 !
(
Auxiliary
device failureThe touch pad, track stick, or
external PS/2 mouse may be
fault y.If you are using an external mouse only, check the
connection for a loose or improperly connected
cable. If the problem persists, enable the
Po i n ti ng
Device option in the System Setup program. For
instructions, see Appendix B, “Using the System
Setup Program”. If the problem persists, call Dell for
technical assistance. For instructions, see
Chapter 5, “Getting Help.”
Bad command or
file nameThe command you entered
does not exist or is not in the
pathname you specified.Make sure that you have typed the command
correctly, placed spaces in the proper location,
and used the correct pathname.
NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
C-2 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Cache disabled due to failureThe primar y cache internal to the microprocessor has failed.Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help.” CD-ROM drive controller failure 1The CD-ROM drive does not respond to commands from the computer.Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) If the problem persists, tr y another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “R u n n i n g t h e D e l l Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Data errorThe diskette or hard-disk drive cannot read the data.Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the diskette drive or hard-disk drive. See the documentation that came with your operating system. Decreasing available memoryOne or more memor y modules may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. Disk C: failed initializationThe hard-disk drive failed initialization.Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Diskette drive 0 seek failureA cable may be loose, or the system configuration information may not match the hardware configuration.Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If error is not corrected, have the cables checked by an authorized service technician. Diskette read failureA cable may be loose, or the diskette may be faulty.If the diskette-drive access indicator lights up, try a different diskette. Diskette subsystem reset failedThe diskette drive controller may be faulty.Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Diskette write-protectedBecause the diskette is write-protected, the opera- tion cannot be completed.Slide the write-protect notch up. Drive not readyNo diskette is in the diskette drive, or no hard-disk drive is in the media bay. The opera- tion requires a diskette in the drive or a hard-disk drive in the media bay before it can continue.Put a diskette in the diskette drive, or push the diskette all the way into the drive until the eject button pops out. Or, install a hard-disk drive in the media bay. For instructions, see the documentation that accompanied your hard-disk drive. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
support.dell.comError Messages and Flash Codes C-3 Error reading PCMCIA cardThe computer cannot identify the PC Card.Reseat the card or tr y another PC Card that you know works. Extended memory size has changedThe amount of memory recorded in NVRAM does not match the memor y installed in the computer.Reboot the computer. If the error appears on the display again, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help.” Gate A20 failureAn installed memor y module may be loose.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. General failureThe operating system is unable to carr y out the command.This message is usually followed by specific information—for example, Printer out of paper. Respond by taking the appropriate action. Hard-disk drive configuration errorThe computer cannot identify the drive type.Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Hard-disk drive controller failure 0The hard-disk drive does not respond to commands from the computer.Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) If the problem persists, tr y another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “R u n n i n g t h e D e l l Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Hard-disk drive failureThe hard-disk drive does not respond to commands from the computer.Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) If the problem persists, tr y another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
C-4 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Hard-disk drive read failureThe hard-disk drive may be fault y.Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) If the problem persists, tr y another drive. Then run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Invalid configuration information- please run System Setup ProgramThe system configuration information does not match the hardware configuration. This message is most likely to occur after a memory module is installed.Correct the appropriate options in the System Setup program. For instructions, see Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.” Keyboard clock line failureA cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Keyboard con- troller failureA cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.Reboot the computer, and avoid touching the keyboard or the mouse during the boot routine. If the problem persists, run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Keyboard data line failureA cable or connector may be loose, or the keyboard may be faulty.Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Keyboard stuck key failureIf an external keyboard or keypad is being used, a cable or connector may be loose or the keyboard may be faulty. If the integrated keyboard is being used, the keyboard may be faulty. A key on the integrated key- board or external keyboard may have been pressed while the computer was booting.Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Memory address line failure at address, read value expect- ing valueAn installed memor y module may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
support.dell.comError Messages and Flash Codes C-5 Memory allocation errorThe software you are attempting to run is conflicting with the operating system, another application program, or a utility.Turn off the computer, wait 30 seconds, and then restart it. Try to run the program again. If the problem persists, contact the software company. Memory data line failure at address, read value expecting valueAn installed memor y module may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. Memory double word logic failure at address, read value expecting valueAn installed memor y module may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. Memory odd/even logic failure at address, read value expecting valueAn installed memor y module may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. Memory write/ read failure at address, read value expecting valueAn installed memor y module may be faulty or improperly seated.Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. No boot device availableThe computer cannot find the diskette or hard-disk drive.If the diskette drive is your boot device, make sure that there is a bootable diskette in the drive. If the hard-disk drive is your boot device, make sure that the drive is installed, properly seated, and partitioned as a boot device. (For instructions, see “Installing an Internal Hard-Disk Drive” in Chapter 2.) No boot sector on hard-disk driveThe operating system may be corrupted.Reinstall your operating system. See the documentation that came with your operating system. No timer tick interruptA chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
C-6 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Non-system disk or disk errorThe diskette in drive A or your hard-disk drive does not have a bootable operating system installed on it.If you are tr ying to boot from the diskette, replace it with one that has a bootable operating system. Not a boot disketteThere is no operating system on the diskette.Boot the computer with a diskette that contains an operating system. Optional ROM bad checksumThe optional ROM apparently failed.Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help.” Sector not foundThe operating system cannot locate a sector on the diskette or hard-disk drive. You probably have a bad sector or corrupted FAT on the diskette or hard-disk drive.Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure on the diskette or hard-disk drive. If a large number of sectors are defective, back up the data (if possible), and then reformat the diskette or hard-disk drive. Seek errorThe operating system cannot find a specific track on the diskette or hard-disk drive.If the error is on the diskette drive, try another diskette in the drive. Shutdown failureA chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Time-of-day clock lost powerData stored in NVRAM has become corrupted.Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the battery. If the problem persists, tr y to restore the data. To restore the data, press to enter the System Setup program. Then immediately exit it. If the message reappears, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. Time-of-day clock stoppedThe reserve battery that sup- ports the data stored in NVRAM may be read.Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the batter y. If the problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help.” Time-of-day not set-please run the System Setup programThe time or date stored in the System Setup program does not watch the system clock.Correct the settings for the Date and Time options. For instructions, see Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.” Timer chip counter 2 failedA chip on the system board may be malfunctioning.Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
support.dell.comError Messages and Flash Codes C-7 & When errors that occur during the boot routine cannot be reported on the integrated display or on an external monitor (if attached), the keyboard status indicators (see Figure C-1) may flash together in a pattern of lights (a flash code) that identifies the problem. For example, one flash, followed by a second flash, and then a burst of three flashes (code 1-1-3) means that the computer was unable to read the data in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is important to the Dell support staff if you need to call for technical assistance. The keyboard status indicators flash briefly when the computer is turned on. The flash codes, if needed, occur after the boot routine. 5* 2 - + - When the computer emits a flash code, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist (see Figure 5-1) and then look up its cause and meaning in Table C-2. If you are unable to resolve the problem, run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious Unexpected interrupt in protected modeThe keyboard controller may be malfunctioning, or an installed memory module may be loose.Run the System Memory tests and the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. Warning: Bat- tery is critically low.The batter y is running out of ch a r g e .Replace the batter y, or connect the computer to an electrical outlet. Other wise, activate save-to-disk suspend mode or turn off the computer. For instructions, see “Save-to-Disk Suspend Utility” in Chapter 2. (*+ 2 4 ! ( NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help. scroll lock indicatorcapitals lock indicatornumbers lock indicator
C-8 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide cause. (See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3 for instructions.) If you are unable to resolve the problem, call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) . (*+ + ( 1-1-3 NVRAM write/read failure. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 1-1-4 ROM BIOS checksum failure. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 1-2-1 Programmable interval timer fail- ure.Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 1-2-2 DMA initialization failure. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 1-2-3 DMA page register write/read fail- ure.Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 1- 3 - 1 through 2-4-4An installed memory module is not being properly identified or used.Make sure that a memory module is installed in one of the memory module sockets on the system board. The computer will not function unless at least one memory module is installed. For instructions, see “Installing Memory Modules” in Chapter 2. 3-1-1 Slave DMA register failure. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help.
support.dell.comError Messages and Flash Codes C-9 3-1-2 Master DMA register failure. Run the System Board Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 3-1-3 Master interrupt mask register failure.Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure.Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 3-2-4 Keyboard controller test failure. Run the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 3-3-4 Display memory test failure. Run the VESA/VGA Interface test in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 3-4-1 Display initialization failure. Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 3-4-2 Display retrace test failure. Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 4-2-1 No timer tick. Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 4-2-2 Shutdown failure. Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 4-2-3 Gate A20 failure. Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode.Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 4-3-1 Memor y failure above address 0FFFFh.Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 4-3-3 Timer chip counter 2 failure. Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. 4-3-4 Time-of-day clock stopped. Call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, “Getting Help”. NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help. (*+ + (
C-10 Dell Inspiron 3700 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide 4-4-1 Serial port failure. Run the Serial Ports tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. 5-1-2 No usable memory. Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics. For instructions, see “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3. NOTE: For the full name of an abbreviation or acronym used in this table, see the Glossary in the system Help. (*+ + (