Dell Inspiron Cpi Service Guide

							Initial Procedures 2-1
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This chapter describes initial procedures that can help you diagnose a com-
puter problem. These procedures can often reveal the source of a problem or 
indicate the correct starting point for troubleshooting the computer. Dell rec-
ommends that you perform these procedures in the order presented here.
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When you first contact a user who has a computer problem, ask the user to 
describe the problem and the conditions under which it occurs. A verbal 
description can often indicate the cause of a problem or indicate the appropri-
ate troubleshooting procedure to use. After the user describes the problem, 
follow these steps: 
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See “Maintaining Your Computer” in the online 
Dell Latitude CP and CPi 
User’s Guide
.
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Can the user duplicate the problem?
Ye s. Proceed to step 3.
No. Proceed to the next section, “Visual Inspection.”
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Is the problem a result of user error?
Ye s. Instruct the user in the proper procedure, or direct him or her to the 
appropriate user documentation for a description of the correct procedure.
No. Proceed to the next section, “Visual Inspection.” 
						

							2-2 Dell Latitude CP and CPi Service Manual 
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The visual inspection consists of a quick inspection of the exterior of the 
computer and any attached peripherals, including making any necessary cor-
rections. For information about the proper removal and installation of computer 
components, as instructed in the following procedures, see Chapter 4, 
“Removing and Replacing Parts.” 
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To perform a visual inspection, follow these steps:
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Look at the indicators to determine which of the following conditions apply. 
Then turn off the computer, and take the actions listed for that condition:
‡Power indicator is blinking.
An error occurred during system POST.
‡Power indicator is off.
The system is either off or in suspend (or standby, for the Microsoft 
Windows 98 operating system) or suspend-to-disk mode.
‡Power indicator is on.
The system is in the power-on state.
‡Battery indicator is amber (steadily on or blinking slowly).
A low-battery warning occurred. Shut down the operating system; then 
replace the battery or connect the computer to AC power to charge the 
battery.
‡Battery indicator is alternating between green and amber.
A temporary battery failure has occurred. Press the power button for 
4 seconds to turn off the computer, and let the battery and computer 
cool to room temperature.
‡Battery indicator is amber and blinking rapidly when the power switch 
is pressed or the AC adapter is connected to the computer.
A fatal battery condition exists. Press the power button for 4 seconds 
to turn off the computer, and then remove the battery or batteries from 
the system.
‡All indicators remain off.
The computer is already turned off or in suspend-to-disk mode. 
						

							Initial Procedures 2-3
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See the 
Users Guide that came with the C/Port APR or C/Dock Expansion 
Station for detailed instructions on undocking the computer.
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‡The AC adapter’s AC power cable is connected to both the adapter and 
a power source.
‡The AC adapter’s DC power cable is properly connected to the com-
puter’s DC power input connector.
‡The AC adapter and cables are free of obvious physical damage.
‡The AC power adapter’s green power indicator is on.
NOTE: If the computer’s battery indicator flashes
 alternately green and 
amber
 while the computer is connected to AC power, disconnect the com-
puter from AC power and move it to a cooler location. When the computer 
has cooled to room temperature, reconnect it to AC power and continue 
charging the battery. If the computer is not allowed to cool, the battery 
stops charging before it reaches full capacity.
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							2-4 Dell Latitude CP and CPi Service Manual 
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‡The monitor’s interface cable is properly attached to the video connec-
tor on the I/O panel.
‡The captive screws that secure the connectors at each end of the inter-
face cable are secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
‡The monitor’s power cable is attached to a power source and free of 
obvious physical damage.
‡The monitor’s controls are set according to the instructions in the docu-
mentation for the monitor.
‡The monitor and its interface cable are free of obvious physical 
damage.
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‡The mouse is properly connected to the PS/2 connector on the com-
puter’s I/O panel.
‡The mouse and its cable are free of obvious physical damage.
‡The mouse’s ball and push buttons operate freely.
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‡The device’s interface cable connector is correctly attached to the 
appropriate port connector on the computer’s I/O panel.
‡The captive screws that secure the connectors at each end of the inter-
face cable are secure enough to ensure a firm connection.
‡The attached device and its interface cable are free of obvious physical 
damage.
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Does the problem reoccur?
Ye s. Proceed to the next procedure, “Observing the Boot Routine.”
No. No further steps are necessary.
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After you perform a visual inspection as described in the previous section, boot 
the computer from a copy of the diagnostics diskette and, while the boot rou-
tine is running, observe the computer for any indications of problems.
NOTE: To prevent possible damage to the original Dell Diagnostics Diskette, 
Dell recommends that users make copies of the diskette and always use a 
backup copy when servicing a user’s computer. For instructions, see “Before 
You Start Testing” in Chapter 4 of the
 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Trouble-
shooting Guide
. 
						

							Initial Procedures 2-5
To observe the boot routine, follow these steps:
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Do these indicators light up within approximately 10 seconds after the boot 
routine starts?
Ye s . Proceed to step 4.
No. Troubleshoot the power subsystem.
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‡Drive access indicator — This indicator lights up in response to data 
being transferred to or from the drives. If the indicator fails to light dur-
ing the boot routine, troubleshoot the diskette-drive or hard-disk drive 
subsystem, as appropriate.
‡Error codes — If the numbers lock (Num Lock), the capitals lock (Caps 
Lock), and the Scroll Lock indicators flash simultaneously during the 
boot routine, refer to Table 3-1.
‡Battery failure codes — If the battery indicator flashes alternately green 
and amber, or flashes amber four times per second, refer to Table 3-2.
‡System error messages — These messages can indicate problems or 
provide status information. If a system error message displays, refer to 
Table 3-3. 
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Does the Diagnostics Menu display?
Ye s . See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3.
No. Proceed to step 6.
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Does the Diagnostics Menu display?
Ye s . See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” in Chapter 3.
No. Proceed to the next section, “Eliminating Resource Conflicts.” 
						

							2-6 Dell Latitude CP and CPi Service Manual 
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Devices within the computer may require dedicated memory spaces, interrupt 
levels, or DMA channels, all of which must be allocated during installation of 
the devices. Because devices may be installed at different times, it is possible 
that the same resource is assigned to two or more devices. 
Resource conflicts can result in disorderly or erratic computer operation or fail-
ure of the computer to operate at all. If you suspect that resource conflicts 
might exist, check the computer and reassign the resources as necessary. 
For more information about resolving conflicts, see Chapter 3, “Troubleshoot-
ing Your Computer,” in the 
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide.
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If none of the procedures in this chapter reveals the source of the problem or 
leads to the proper troubleshooting steps for determining the source of the 
problem, call Dell for technical assistance. For instructions, see Chapter 5, 
“Getting Help,” in the 
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide. 
						

							System Error Messages 3-1
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This chapter describes system error messages that can occur during computer 
startup or, in the case of some failures, during normal computer operation. The 
tables in this chapter list POST error codes, battery failure codes, and system 
error messages, as well as their probable causes.
If a faulty computer does not display a POST error code or system error mes-
sage to indicate a failure, use the Dell Diagnostics to help isolate the source of 
the problem. See “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.
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If the computer’s display cannot display error messages during the POST, the 
numbers lock (Num Lock), the capitals lock (Caps Lock), and the Scroll Lock 
indicators display codes that identify the problem or help you identify a faulty 
component or assembly. The following table lists the error codes that may be 
generated during POST. Most error codes indicate a fatal error that requires 
replacement of the system board or other corrective actions before the com-
puter can operate.
NOTE: To display an error code, all three system indicators flash simulta-
neously (not sequentially). These “flash” codes are the same as the audible 
“beep” codes used by the Dell Latitude XPi portable computer, for instance. 
						

							3-2 Dell Latitude CP and CPi Service Manual 
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1- 1- 3 N V R A M  w r i t e / r e a d  
failureBIOS corrupted; system board 
fault y
1- 1- 4 R O M  B I O S  c h e c k s u m  
failureBIOS corrupted; system board 
fault y
1-2-1 Programmable interval 
timer failureSystem board faulty
1-2-2 DMA initialization 
failureSystem board faulty
1-2-3 DMA page register 
write/read failureSystem board faulty
1- 3 - 1
through
1- 1- 1Installed memory 
module(s) not being 
properly identified or 
usedMemory module improperly seated 
or system memory controller faulty 
(system board faulty)
3-1-1
3-1-2Slave DMA register 
failure
Master DMA register 
failureSystem board faulty
3-1-3
3-1-4Master interrupt mask 
register failure
Slave interrupt mask 
register failureSystem board faulty
3-2-4 Keyboard controller test 
failureKeyboard assembly faulty or system 
board faulty 
3-3-4
3-4-1
3-4-2Display memory test 
failure
Display initialization 
failure
Display retrace test 
failureSystem board faulty
4-2-1
4-2-2
4-2-3
4-2-4No timer tick
Shutdown failure
Gate A20 failure
Unexpected interrupt in 
protected modeSystem board faulty 
						

							System Error Messages 3-3
4-3-1 Memory failure above 
address 0FFFFhMemory module improperly seated 
or system memory controller faulty 
(system board faulty)
4-3-3 Timer chip counter 2 
failureSystem board faulty
4-3-4 Time-of-day clock 
stoppedReserve battery faulty or system 
board faulty
4-4-1 Serial port failure System board faulty
5-1-2 No usable memory Memory module improperly seated 
or system memory controller faulty 
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							3-4 Dell Latitude CP and CPi Service Manual 
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In the event of a battery failure, the battery indicator displays indicator codes 
that identify the severity of the problem. The following table lists these failure 
codes.
    
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Indicator 
flashes 
alternately 
green and 
amber.Temporary Over temperature;
abnormal discharge;
abnormal charge;
abnormal charge
currentTurn off the computer 
and let the battery and 
computer cool to room 
temperature.
Indicator 
flashes 
amber four 
times per 
second.Fatal Cell imbalance;
critical dischargeReplace the battery.
batter y indicator