Solving Problems. Dell Precision 650

Solving Problems

Follow these tips when troubleshooting your computer:

• If you added or removed a computer part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part is correctly installed.

• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may help technical support diagnose and fix the problem(s).

• If an error message occurs in a program, consult the program’s documentation.

• If the recommended action in the troubleshooting section is to see a section in your User’s Guide , you can use your Drivers and Utilities CD or go to support.dell.com

(on another computer if necessary) to access your User’s Guide .

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Windows XP

Windows XP IRQ conflicts occur if a device either is not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured.

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows XP:

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Click the Start button and click Control Panel .

Click Performance and Maintenance and click System .

Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager .

In the Device Manager list, check for conflicts with the other devices.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (

!

) beside the conflicting device or a red

X

if the device has been disabled.

Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.

S e t u p a n d Q u i c k Re f e r e n c e G u i d e 27

Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices from the Device Manager.

To use the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter:

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2

Click the Start button and click Help and Support .

Type hardware troubleshooter

in the Search field, and click the arrow to start the search.

Click Hardware Troubleshooter in the Search Results list.

In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer , and then click Next .

Windows 2000

To check for conflicts on a computer running Windows 2000:

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Click the Start button, point to Settings , and then click Control

Panel .

In the Control Panel window, double-click System .

Click the Hardware tab.

Click Device Manager .

Click View and click Resources by connection .

Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) to view the IRQ assignments.

Conflicts are indicated by a yellow exclamation point (

!

) beside the conflicting device or a red

X

if the device has been disabled.

Double-click any conflict to display the Properties window.

If an IRQ conflict exists, the Device status area in the Properties window reports the cards or devices that share the device's IRQ.

Resolve conflicts by reconfiguring the devices or removing the devices from the Device Manager.

28 S e t u p a n d Q u i c k Re f e r e n c e G u i d e

To use the Windows 2000 Hardware Troubleshooter:

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Click the Start button and click Help .

Click Troubleshooting and Maintenance on the Contents tab, click

Windows 2000 troubleshooters , and then click Hardware .

In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, click I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer , and then click Next .

Using System Restore in Windows XP

The Windows XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left

the computer in an undesirable operating state. See "Windows XP Help and

Support Center" on page 8 for additional information on using System

Restore.

NOTICE: Back up your data files regularly. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them.

Creating a Restore Point

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Click the Start button and click Help and Support .

Click System Restore .

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State

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NOTICE: Before you restore the computer to an earlier operating state, save and close all open files and close all open programs. Do not alter, open, or delete any files or programs until the system restoration is complete.

Click the Start button, point to All Programs → Accessories → System

Tools , and then click System Restore .

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3

Ensure that Restore my computer to an earlier time is selected, and click Next .

Click a calendar date to which you want to restore your computer.

The Select a Restore Point screen provides a calendar that allows you to see and select restore points. All calendar dates with available restore points appear in bold.


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Select a restore point and click Next .

If a calendar date has only one restore point, then that restore point is automatically selected. If two or more restore points are available, click the restore point that you prefer.

Click Next .

The Restoration Complete screen appears after System Restore finishes collecting data, and then the computer automatically restarts.

After the computer restarts, click OK .

To change the restore point, you can either repeat the steps using a different restore point, or you can undo the restoration.

Using Last Known Good Configuration

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2

Restart your computer and press <F8> when the message

Please select the operating system to start

appears.

Highlight Last Known Good Setting, press <Enter>, press <l>, and then select your operating system when prompted.

Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts

NOTICE: The following processes erase all of the information on your hard drive.

• Reinstall your operating system using the operating system installation guide and operating system CD.

During the operating system reinstallation, you can select to delete the existing partitions and reformat your hard drive.

• Reinstall all drivers, beginning with the choppiest, using the Drivers and Utilities CD.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in

"Solving Problems" in your User’s Guide and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance. Running the Dell Diagnostics may help you resolve the problem without contacting Dell. If you do contact

Dell, the test results can provide important information for Dell's service and support personnel.


The Dell Diagnostics allows you to:

• Perform express, extended, or custom tests on one or all devices

• Select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having

• Choose how many times a test is run

• Display test results

• Suspend testing if an error is detected

• Access online help information that describes the tests and devices

• Receive status messages that tell you whether tests completed successfully

• Receive error messages if problems are detected

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: Only use the Dell Diagnostics to test your Dell™ computer. Using this program with other computers can result in error messages.

Enter system setup, review your computer’s configuration information, and ensure that the device you want to test displays in system setup and is active.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known as the ResourceCD).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

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Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL

®

logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press <Enter>.

When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.

NOTE: If you receive a message stating that no

Diagnostics utility partition has been found, follow the instructions to run the Dell Diagnostics from your Drivers and

Utilities CD.


NOTE: This feature changes the boot sequence for one time only. On the next start-up, the computer boots according to the devices specified in system setup.

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD

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Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the CD drive.

Shut down and restart the computer.

When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.

If you wait too long and the Windows logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer through the Start menu and try again.

When the boot device list appears, highlight IDE CD-ROM Device and press <Enter>.

Select the IDE CD-ROM Device option from the CD boot menu.

Select the Boot from CD-ROM option from the menu that appears.

Type

1

to start the ResourceCD menu.

Type

2

to start the Dell Diagnostics.

Select Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics from the numbered list. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your platform.

When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run.

Dell Diagnostics Main Menu

1 After the Dell Diagnostics loads and the Main Menu screen appears, click the button for the option you want.

NOTE: The Service Tag for your computer is located at the top of each test screen

Option

Express

Test

Extended

Test

Custom

Test

Symptom

Tree

Function

Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part.

Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.

Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.

Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.

Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.


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If a problem is encountered during a test, a message displaying the error code and a description of the problem appear. Write down the error code and problem description and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you cannot resolve the error condition, contact Dell.

If you run a test from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option, click the applicable tab described in the following table for more information.

Tab Function

Results

Errors

Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.

Displays error conditions encountered, error codes, and problem description.

Help

Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.

The Dell Diagnostics obtains your configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests and displays it in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer.

Parameters

Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test.

Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.

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When the tests are completed, if you are running the Dell Diagnostics from the Drivers and Utilities CD , remove the CD.

Close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the

Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the Main Menu screen.


Power Light

Solid green

Blinking green

Blinks green several times and then turns off

N/A

Solid yellow N/A

Blinking yellow

Blinking yellow

Hard-Drive

Light

N/A

Blank

Blank

Solid green

Solid green and a beep code during

POST

N/A

System Lights

The lights on the front of the computer can indicate a computer problem.

Cause Corrective Action

Power is on, and the computer is operating normally.

The computer is in the suspended state (Windows 2000 and

Windows XP).

A configuration error exists.

The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed.

A power supply or system board failure has occurred.

A system board or VRM failure has occurred.

A problem was detected while the

BIOS was executing.

No corrective action is required.

Press the power button, move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to wake the computer. See

"Power Management" in the User’s

Guide for more information.

Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.

See the User’s Guide for more information.

If the Dell Diagnostics is running, allow the testing to complete.


Also, see "System Board Problems" in the User’s Guide .

If the computer does not boot, contact Dell for technical assistance.


See "Power Problems" and "System

Board Problems" in the User’s

Guide .


Also, see "System Board Problems" in the User’s Guide .

See "Beep Codes" on page 35 for

instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.


Power Light Hard-Drive

Light

N/A Solid green power light and no beep code and no video during POST

Solid green power light and no beep code, but the computer locks up during POST

N/A

Cause

Beep Codes

Your computer might emit a series of beeps that identify a problem. One possible series (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This series tell you that the computer encountered a memory problem.

If a beep code is emitted, write it down and look it up under "Beep Codes" in the User’s Guide .

Error Messages

If an error occurs during start-up, a message may be displayed on the monitor identifying the problem. See "Error Messages" in the User’s Guide for suggestions on resolving any problems.

Diagnostic Lights

To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the front panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." The lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide .

Corrective Action

The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or incorrectly installed.

An integrated system board device may be faulty.


Also, see "Video Problems" in the

User’s Guide .

Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. If the problem is not identified, contact Dell for technical assistance.

NOTE: If the message is not listed, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running when the message appeared.


Light Pattern

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f

D i a g n o s t i c L i g h t C o d e s B e f o r e P O S T

Problem Description

No electrical power is supplied to the computer.

The computer is in a normal off condition; the computer is connected to its electrical outlet.

The computer is in a reduced power or "sleep" state.

The BIOS is not executing.

A possible power supply or power cable failure has occurred.

Suggested Resolution

Connect the computer to its electrical outlet. Ensure that the front-panel power light is on. If the power light is off, ensure that the computer is connected to a working electrical outlet, and then press the power button.

If the problem is still not resolved, contact Dell for technical assistance.

Press the power button to turn the computer on.

If the computer does not turn on, ensure that the frontpanel power light is on. If the power light is off, ensure that the computer is connected to a working electrical outlet, and then press the power button.


Use one of the appropriate methods to "wake up" the computer. See "Advanced Features" in your User’s

Guide .

If the problem is not resolved and you are trying to wake the computer with a USB mouse or keyboard, substitute the mouse or keyboard with a working PS/2 mouse or keyboard and try to wake the computer.


Ensure that the microprocessor is seated correctly and restart the computer.


Perform the procedure in "Power Problems" in the

User’s Guide .



Light Pattern Problem Description

A possible system board failure has occurred.

Suggested Resolution

Contact Dell for technical assistance.

A B C D

A microprocessor and/or VRM mismatch exists.

A B C D

A possible VRM 0 failure has occurred.

A B C D

A possible VRM 1 failure has occurred.

A B C D

A possible VRM 0 and VRM 1 failure has occurred.

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f

D i a g n o s t i c L i g h t C o d e s D u r i n g P O S T

Perform the procedure in "Microprocessor Problems" in your User’s Guide .



Perform the procedure in "Microprocessor Problems" in your User’s Guide .



Light Pattern Problem Description

A possible BIOS failure has occurred; the computer is in the recovery mode.

Suggestion Resolution

Run the BIOS Recovery utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer.

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f


Light Pattern

A B C D

A B C D

Problem Description

A possible microprocessor failure has occurred.


Reinstall the microprocessor and restart the computer.

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

1 Reset the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.

2 Restart the computer.

3 If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector 4.


The following message appears: Alert!

Operating in Debug Mode. Please

Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal

Operation .

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Press <F1> to boot to the operating system.

Run the System Memory test group in the Dell

Diagnostics.

7 If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.

8 When the defective memory module is identified, contact Dell for a replacement.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f


Light Pattern

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f

Problem Description

A possible expansion card failure has occurred.

A possible graphics card failure has occurred.

A possible floppy or hard drive failure has occurred.


1 Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card

(not the graphics card) and then restarting the computer.

2 If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.

3 Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see

"Resolving Software and Hardware

Incompatibilities" in your User’s Guide ).

4 If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Reinstall the graphics card and restart the computer.

If the problems still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the computer.

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Check all power and data cable connections, and then restart the computer.

A possible USB failure has occurred.

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


Light Pattern

A B C D

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f

Problem Description

No memory modules are detected.

System board failure has occurred.


1 Reset the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.


3 If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector 4.


The following message appears: Alert!

Operating in Debug Mode. Please

Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal

Operation .

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6

Press <F1> to boot to the operating system.

Run the System Memory test group in the Dell

Diagnostics.

7 If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.

8 When the defective memory module is identified, contact Dell for a replacement.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.

Perform the procedures in "System Board Problems" in your User’s Guide .



Light Pattern

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

= y e l l o w

= g r e e n

= o f f

Problem Description Suggestion Resolution

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

Ensure that there are no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements

(see "Memory" in your User’s Guide ).

Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see

"Memory" in your User’s Guide ).

Reinstall the memory modules and then restart the computer.


A possible system board resource and/or hardware failure has occurred.

A possible expansion card failure has occurred.

Perform the procedure in "System Board Problem" and see "Resolving Software and Hardware

Incompatibilities" in your User’s Guide .


1 Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card

(not the graphics card) and then restarting the computer.

2 If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.

3 Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see

"Resolving Software and Hardware

Incompatibilities" in your User’s Guide ).

4 If the problem persists, contact Dell.

Other failure has occurred.

Ensure that the cables are properly connected from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive to the system board.


The computer is in a normal operating condition after POST.

None.


Solving Problems. Dell Precision 650

Solving Problems

Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities

Using System Restore in Windows XP

Using Last Known Good Configuration

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

Starting the Dell Diagnostics

System Lights

Beep Codes

Error Messages

Diagnostic Lights

Key Features

Related manuals

Frequently Answers and Questions

What is the recommended use case for the Dell Precision 650?

What are the key advantages of using the Dell Precision 650?

What type of software is pre-installed on the Dell Precision 650?

How can I expand the storage capacity of the Dell Precision 650?

What type of graphics card is used in the Dell Precision 650?

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Solving Problems. Dell Precision 650