System Messages - Dell Inspiron 5000 Series Owner's Manual

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System Messages: Dell™ Inspiron™ 5000 Series
Overview

System Messages

Overview
The operating system, application programs, and the computer itself can generate status and error information. This section explains the system messages generated by
the basic input/output system (BIOS). For other messages, refer to the application program or operating system documentation.
System Messages
If a message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message. See the following table for an explanation of the message and suggestions for
correcting errors. The system messages are listed alphabetically.
NOTE: If the message is not listed in the following table, check the documentation for the application programs that were running
at the time the message appeared and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and recommended
action.
Message Cause
Diskette drive A error A connector may be loose, or the
diskette may be faulty.
Fixed disk 0 failure The hard-disk drive failed to
initialize.
Fixed disk controller failure The hard-disk drive controller may
be faulty.
Keyboard controller error The keyboard controller is faulty.
Keyboard error If an external keyboard is being
used, a cable or connector may be
loose or the keyboard may be
faulty. If the integrated keyboard is
being used, it may be faulty. A key
on the integrated keyboard may
have been pressed while the
computer was booting.
Operating system not found The operating system may be
corrupted. Or, the operating
system cannot be found on the
hard-disk drive or on the diskette
in the diskette drive.
Real time clock error The CMOS battery that supports
data stored in NVRAM may be
dead.
CMOS battery is dead— The CMOS battery is dead.
Replace and run Setup
System CMOS checksum The BIOS has been updated.
bad—run Setup CMOS has been corrupted or
modified, possibly by an
application program that changes
data stored in CMOS.
Action
If the diskette-drive access indicator lights up when you access a file on the
diskette, but you still get this error message, try a different diskette. If using a
different diskette does not solve the problem, restart the computer. If the
problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance.
See "Resolve Hard-Disk Drive Problems" in Chapter 2 of the Dell Inspiron
5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide or "Drive Problems" in Chapter
2 of the Dell Inspiron 5000e Solutions Guide.
Call Dell for technical assistance.
Call Dell for technical assistance.
Run the Stuck Key Test in the PC-AT Compatible Keyboards device
group in the Dell Diagnostics.
Reinstall the operating system. See the documentation that came with the
operating system. If the problem persists, call Dell for technical assistance.
Call Dell for technical assistance.
Call Dell for technical assistance.
Enter the system setup program by restarting the computer and pressing <F2>
as soon as the Dell logo appears. Reconfigure the system. If the problem
persists, call Dell for technical assistance.