System Messages; What Is A Driver - Dell Dimension 8250 Series Manual

4-3-4 Time-of-day clock stopped
4-4-1 Serial or parallel port test failure
4-4-4 Cache test failure

System Messages

HINT: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or the program that was running
when the message appeared.
Message Possible Cause
The keyboard controller failed its test.
8042 Gate-A20 error
An error in the address decoding circuitry in the
Address Line Short!
memory has occurred.
The hard drive is not working or is not configured
C: Drive Error
correctly.
C: Drive Failure
The cache memory is not operating.
Cache Memory Bad, Do
Not Enable Cache
An error is occurring on the timer on the system
CH-2 Timer Error
board.
The system configuration information in the system
CMOS Battery State
setup program is incorrect or the battery charge
Low
may be low.
CMOS Checksum Failure
CMOS System Options
Not Set
CMOS Display Type
Mismatch
CMOS Memory Size
Mismatch
CMOS Time and Date
Not Set
Drive A or B is present but has failed the BIOS POST. Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined
Diskette Boot Failure
Error in the DMA controller on the system board.
DMA Error
DMA 1 Error
DMA 2 Error
The BIOS cannot communicate with the floppy drive
FDD Controller
or hard drive controller.
Failure
HDD Controller
Failure
An interrupt channel on the system board failed to
INTR1 Error
POST.
INTR2 Error
The operating system cannot be located on drive A
Invalid Boot Diskette
or drive C.
The BIOS has detected a stuck key.
Keyboard Error
An error occurred with the keyboard connector.
KB/Interface Error
The operating system cannot be located on drive A
No ROM Basic
or drive C.
Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its
driver recognizes.
Corrective Action
If you receive this message after you make changes in the
program, enter the program and restore the original value(s).
Reseat the memory modules.
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly in the computer and defined
correctly in the system setup program.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
See "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
Enter the system setup program, verify the system configuration, and then
restart the computer.
correctly in the system setup program. Check the interface cable at both
ends.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
Ensure that the floppy drive or the
computer and defined correctly in the
interface cable at both ends.
The keyboard or system board may need to be replaced.
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is
properly identified.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck,
carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the
keyboard.
Ensure that nothing is resting on the keyboard; if a key appears to be stuck,
carefully pry it up. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the
keyboard.
Enter the system setup program and confirm that drive A or drive C is
properly identified.
system setup
hard drive is installed correctly in the
system setup program. Check the