Dell Inspiron 3700, Reference Manual

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System Flash Codes
When errors that occur during the boot routine cannot be reported on the built-in display or on an external monitor (if attached), the Num Lock,
Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators (see
Figure 1 ) may flash together in a pattern of lights (or flash code ) that identifies the problem. For
example, one flash, followed by a second flash, and then a burst of three flashes (code 1-1-3) means that the computer was unable to read the data
in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM). This information is important to the Dell support staff if you need to call for technical assistance.
The Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators flash briefly when the computer is turned on. The flash codes, if needed, occur after the boot
routine.
Figure 1. Flash Code Indicators
When the computer emits a flash code, write it down on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist and then look up its cause and meaning in Table 2 . If
No timer tick interrupt
A chip on the system board may be
malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
Non-system disk or disk
error The diskette in drive A or your hard-disk drive
does not have a bootable operating system
installed on it. If you are trying to boot from the diskette, replace it with one
that has a bootable operating system.
Not a boot diskette There is no operating system on the diskette. Boot the computer with a diskette that contains an
operating system.
Optional ROM bad
checksum
The optional ROM apparently failed. Call Dell for technical assistance.
Sector not found The operating system cannot locate a sector
on the diskette or hard-disk drive. You
probably have a bad sector or corrupted file
allocation table ( FAT) on the diskette or
hard-disk drive. Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure on the
diskette or hard-disk drive. If a large number of sectors are
defective, back up the data (if possible), and then reformat
the diskette or hard-disk drive.
Seek error The operating system cannot find a specific
track on the diskette or hard-disk drive. If the error is on the diskette drive, try another diskette in the
drive.
Shutdown failure
A chip on the system board may be
malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
Time-of-day clock lost
power Data stored in NVRAM has become
corrupted. Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the
battery. If the problem persists, try to restore the data. To
restore the data, press <Fn><F1> to
enter the System
Setup program . Then immediately exit it. If the message
reappears, call Dell for technical assistance.
Time-of-day clock
stopped
The reserve battery that supports the data
stored in NVRAM may be read. Connect your computer to an electrical outlet to charge the
battery. If the problem persists,
call Dell for technical
assistance.
Time-of-day not set-
please run the System
Setup program
The time or date stored in the System Setup
program does not watch the system clock. Correct the settings for the Date and Time options. (For
instructions, see " System Setup Program .")
Timer chip counter 2
failed
A chip on the system board may be
malfunctioning. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics .
Unexpected interrupt in
protected mode The keyboard controller may be
malfunctioning, or an installed memory
module may be loose. Run the System Memory tests and the Keyboard
Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics .
Warning: Battery is
critically low. The battery is running out of charge. Replace the battery , or connect the computer to an
electrical outlet. Otherwise, activate save-to-disk suspend
(S2D) mode or turn off the computer.
1 Scroll Lock
2
Caps Lock
3
Num Lock