Back to Contents Page
Advanced Troubleshooting
Dell™ Dimension™ XPS Series Service Manual
Diagnostic Lights
Beep Codes
System Messages
Diagnostic Lights
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the back panel. The lights can be yellow or green. When
the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, all four lights display solid green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and
sequence of the lights identify the problem.
CAUTION:
Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in your
Owner's Manual
.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
The computer is in a normal off
condition or a possible pre-BIOS failure
has occurred.
Verify that the computer is plugged into a working electrical outlet and that you have pressed
the power button.
A possible microprocessor failure has
occurred.
Reinstall the microprocessor
and restart the computer.
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory failure has occurred.
1.
Reinstall all memory modules
.
2.
Ensure that all the connector tabs are locked.
3.
Restart the computer.
4.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your
Owner's Manual
.
A possible expansion card failure has
occurred.
1.
Determine if a conflict exists by
removing a card
(not a video card) and then restarting
the computer.
2.
If the problem persists,
reinstall the card
that you removed, remove a different card, and
then restart the computer.
3.
Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last
card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and
Hardware Incompatibilities" in your
Owner's Manual
).
4.
If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your
Owner's Manual
.
A possible video card failure has
occurred.
l
If the computer has a video card,
remove the card
, reinstall it, and then restart the
computer.
l
If the problem still exists,
install a video card
that you know works and restart the
computer.
l
If the problem persists or the computer has integrated video, see "Contacting Dell" in
your
Owner's Manual
.
A possible floppy or hard drive failure
has occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
No memory modules are detected.
1.
Reinstall all memory modules
.
2.
Ensure that all the connector tabs are locked.
