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Blinking yellow
Solid green and a beep code during
POST
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
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION:
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4"on the front or back panel. The lights can be off or green.
When the computer starts normally, the patterns or codes on the lights change as the boot process completes. When the computer starts normally, the
patterns or codes on the lights change as the boot process completes. If the POST portion of system boot completes successfully, all four lights display solid
green. If the computer malfunctions during the POST process, the pattern displayed on the LEDs may help identify where in the process the computer halted.
NOTE:
The orientation of the diagnostic lights may vary depending on the system type. The diagnostic lights can appear either vertical or horizontal.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
The computer is in a normal "off"
condition, or a possible pre-BIOS failure
has occurred.
The diagnostic lights are not lit after the
computer successfully boots to the
operating system.
A possible BIOS failure has occurred; the
computer is in the recovery mode.
A possible processor failure has occurred.
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory failure has occurred.
A possible graphics card failure has
occurred.
A possible floppy or hard drive failure has
occurred.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
No memory modules are detected.
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory configuration or compatibility error
exists.
A power supply or system board failure has occurred.
A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.
The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or
incorrectly installed.
An integrated system board device may be faulty.
Suggested Resolution
Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet and press the power button.
Run the BIOS Recovery utility, wait for recovery completion, and then restart the computer.
Reinstall the processor and restart the computer.
If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer. (see
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"Memory" for instructions on how to remove and install memory modules.)
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one
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module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an
additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all
modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer.
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If the problem persists,
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If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card, reinstall it, and then restart the
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computer.
If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the
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computer.
If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics,
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Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer. (see
l
"Memory" for instructions on how to remove and install memory modules.)
If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one
l
module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an
additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all
modules without error.
If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer.
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If the problem persists,
l
Ensure that no
l
exist.
Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your
l
computer.
If the problem persists,
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If the computer does not boot,
assistance.
See
"Power
Problems."
See
"Beep
Codes" for instructions on diagnosing the beep
code. Also, check the
diagnostic lights
problem is identified.
Check the
diagnostic lights
identified. See
"Video and Monitor
Check the
diagnostic lights
identified. If the problem is not identified,
technical assistance.
contact
Dell.
contact
Dell.
special memory module/memory connector placement requirements
contact
Dell.
contact Dell
for technical
to see if the specific
to see if the specific problem is
Problems."
to see if the specific problem is
contact Dell
for
contact
Dell.
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