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Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies
a problem. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer
encountered a memory problem.
Reseating the memory modules may fix the beep code errors listed in the following table. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Code
Cause
1-3-1 through 2-4-4 Memory not being properly identified or used
4-3-1
Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
If you hear one of the beep codes listed in the following table, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Code
Cause
1-1-2 Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3 NVRAM
1-1-4 ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1 Programmable interval timer
1-2-2 DMA initialization failure
1-2-3 DMA page register read/write failure
3-1-1 Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2 Master DMA register failure
3-1-3 Master interrupt mask register failure
3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure
3-2-2 Interrupt vector loading failure
3-2-4 Keyboard Controller Test failure
3-3-1 NVRAM power loss
3-3-2 NVRAM configuration
3-3-4 Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1 Screen initialization failure
3-4-2 Screen retrace failure
3-4-3 Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1 No timer tick
4-2-2 Shutdown failure
4-2-3 Gate A20 failure
4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-3 Timer-chip counter 2 failure
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
NOTE:
If the message you received is not listed in the following 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
8042 Gate-A20
its test.
error
An error in the address
Address Line
decoding circuitry in the
Short!
memory has occurred.
The hard drive is not working or
C: Drive Error
is not configured correctly.
C: Drive Failure
The cache memory is not
Cache Memory
Corrective Action
If you receive this message after you
make changes in the system setup
program, enter the system setup
program and restore the original value.
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
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