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Advanced Troubleshooting
Dell™ Dimension™ 4500S
Diagnostic Codes
Beep Codes
System Messages
Using System Restore
Reinstalling Drivers
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Reinstalling Windows® XP
Diagnostic Codes
Your computer is equipped with four diagnostic lights, which are labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back of the computer. Each of the four lights can be
yellow, green, or off as shown in the following table. When the computer is turned on or restarted and it is functioning normally, the lights flash during POST.
After the computer starts, the lights remain green to signify normal computer operation.
If a malfunction is detected and the computer fails to start, the lights display a code that identifies the problem. Write down the diagnostic code displayed and
look it up in the following table.
Diagnostic Code
Definition
Power up default.
Recovery mode from BIOS
failure.
Microprocessor has failed a
BIOS test.
Memory modules are
detected, but a memory
failure has occurred.
PCI bus failure has occurred.
Video controller failed to
initialize or respond.
IDE bus failure has occurred.
No memory modules are
detected.
Corrective Action
Make sure that the computer is connected to a known working electrical outlet, and then check
whether the front-panel power light on the
the power supply. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
See
"Safety
Instructions," and then
"Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
See "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If you have one memory module installed,
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If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules,
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and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module.
Continue until you have identified a faulty connector or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install properly working
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If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
1. Determine if a conflict exists by
2. If the problem persists,
reinstall the card
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
Incompatibilities").
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
If the computer has a video card, remove the card and reinstall it.
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If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell
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Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's
Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Reseat the drive cables.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
Reseat all memory
modules, and then restart the computer.
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To eliminate the possibility of a faulty memory connector,
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power button
is on or off. If the power light is off, check
remove all
cards. If the computer still does not start, see
reinstall
it, and then restart the computer.
memory of the same type
into your computer.
removing a card
and then restarting the computer.
that you removed, remove a different card, and then
"Resolving Software and Hardware
remove all memory
reinstall one
module,
modules,
reinstall
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