System Messages
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
3-4-1 Screen initialization failure
3-4-2 Screen retrace failure
4-2-1 No time 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
NOTE:
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
Corrective Action
8042 Gate-A20
error
The keyboard controller
failed its test.
If you receive this message after you make
changes in the system setup program,
enter the system setup program and
restore the original value(s).
Address Line
Short!
An error in the address
decoding circuitry in the
memory has occurred.
Reseat the memory modules (see
Memory
).
C: Drive Error
C: Drive
Failure
The hard drive is not
working or is not configured
correctly.
Ensure that the hard drive is installed
correctly in the computer (see
Hard Drive
)
and defined correctly in the system setup
program (see
System Setup
).
Cache Memory
Bad, Do Not
Enable Cache
The cache memory is not
operating.
See "Contacting Dell" in your
Owner's
Manual
for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
CH-2 Timer
Error
An error is occurring on the
timer on the system board.
See "Contacting Dell" in your
Owner's
Manual
for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
CMOS Battery
State Low
CMOS Checksum
Failure
CMOS System
Options Not Set
CMOS Display
Type Mismatch
CMOS Memory
Size Mismatch
CMOS Time and
Date Not Set
The system configuration
information in the system
setup program is incorrect
or the battery charge may
be low.
Enter the system setup program (see
Entering System Setup
), verify the system
configuration, and then restart the
computer.
Diskette Boot
Failure
Drive A or B is present but
has failed the BIOS POST.
Ensure that the drive is installed correctly
in the computer (see
Drives
) and defined
correctly in the system setup program (see
System Setup
). Check the interface cable at
both ends.
DMA Error
DMA 1 Error
DMA 2 Error
Error in the DMA controller
on the system board.
The keyboard or system board may need to
be replaced.
FDD Controller
Failure
The BIOS cannot
communicate with the floppy
drive or hard drive
Ensure that the floppy drive or the hard
drive is installed correctly in the computer
(see
Drives
) and defined correctly in the
