DELL 100-Mbps User Manual

Beep Codes and Error Messages

3-1

his chapter describes beep codes and system error messages that can occur 

during system start-up or, in the case of some failures, during normal system 
operation. The tables in this chapter list faults that can cause a beep code or sys-
tem error message to occur and the probable causes of the fault in each case.

If a faulty system does not emit beep codes or display system error messages to 
indicate a failure, you should use the diskette-based diagnostics to run the 
appropriate tests to help isolate the source of the problem. See “Running the 
Diskette-Based Diagnostics” in Chapter 2.

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 gener-
ated during the POST. Most beep codes indicate a fatal error that prevents 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 appro-
priate tests in the diskette-based diagnostics to assist in troubleshooting the 
problem.

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Monitor not detected

Disconnected or faulty moni-
tor

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NVRAM write/read failure

Defective system board

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BIOS checksum failure

Faulty BIOS or defective sys-
tem board

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1-2-2

1-2-3

Programmable interval-timer 
failure

DMA initialization failure

DMA page register write/
read failure

Defective system board