What are the beep codes for my Dell™ PowerEdge™ 300 or 500 SC server? - Technical Tip - 159344

Beep codes for a Dell™ PowerEdge™ 300 or 500 SC server

The table below lists the beep code, the cause, and the corrective actions to take in order to resolve the problem.

Code	Cause	Corrective Action
1-1-3	NVRAM write/read failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-1-4	BIOS checksum failure	This fatal error usually requires that you replace the BIOS firmware. If the system still boots, reflash the System BIOS, otherwise, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-2-1	Programmable interval-timer failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-2-3	DMA page register write/read failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-3-1	Main-memory refresh verification failure	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-3-2	No memory installed	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-3-3	Chip or data line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-3-4	Odd/even logic failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-4-1	Address line failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
1-4-2	Parity failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
2-1-1 through 2-4-4	Bit failure in the first 64 KB of main memory	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-1-1	Slave DMA-register failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-1-2	Master DMA-register failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-1-3	Master interrupt-mask register failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-1-4	Slave interrupt-mask register failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-2-4	Keyboard-controller test failure	Check the keyboard cable and connector for proper connection. Swap keyboard for known good keyboard. If possible, run system diagnostics on the system to determine whether the keyboard or keyboard controller is faulty. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-3-1	CMOS failure	If possible, Run the system board test in the system diagnostics to isolate the problem.
3-3-2	System configuration check failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-3-3	Keyboard controller not detected	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
3-3-4	Screen initialization failure	If possible, run the video test in the system diagnostics.
3-4-2	Screen-retrace test failure	If possible, run the video test in the system diagnostics.
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure	If possible, run the video test in the system diagnostics.
4-2-1	No timer tick	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-2-2	Shutdown failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode	Ensure that all expansion cards are properly seated, and then reboot the system.
4-3-1	Memory failure above address 0FFFFh	Remove and reseat the memory modules. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-3-3	Defective system board	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-3-4	Time-of-day clock stopped	Reseat the CMOS battery. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-4-1	I/O chip set failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-4-2	Parallel-port test failure	Refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-4-3	Math coprocessor failure	Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.
4-4-4	Cache test failure	Remove and reseat the specified microprocessor. If the problem persists, refer to the Contact Dell Technical Support section below.

CAUTION: Before you perform any of the following steps, read the Precautionary Measures warning below for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the computer system from electrostatic discharge.

When reseating the memory fails to correct a problem, use the minimum RAM configuration required to determine the exact modules that may be at fault. On the Dell PowerEdge 300 or 500SC server, the minimum configuration is two (2) DIMMs. If there are more than two (2) DIMMs installed, remove all but two (2) DIMMs and test again. If reducing the number of DIMMs resolves the problem, then you have narrowed the problem to one of the DIMMs you removed or one of the DIMM slots from which you removed the DIMM(s). By trying different memory combinations, you can determine the exact DIMM, or DIMM slot that is causing the problem.

In order to run the Dell system diagnostics to correct a problem, the system must be able to complete the POST cycle and boot to some form of bootable media, such as a floppy disk, CD, or hard drive.

Precautionary Measures

Before you perform any of the procedures in this document, read the following caution for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the system from electrostatic discharge (ESD).

CAUTION FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT.

Before you start to work on the system, perform the following steps in the sequence listed:

Turn off your computer and all devices.
Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of the computer before touching anything inside your computer.

While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the computer to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.
Disconnect the power cable to your computer, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
Disconnect any devices connected to the computer, including the monitor, from their electrical outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

After you remove or replace parts in the system, observe the following notice to prevent damage to the system:

NOTICE: Make sure that all other system cables are connected before connecting the computer to its electrical outlet.

Quick Tips content is self-published by the Dell Support Professionals who resolve issues daily. In order to achieve a speedy publication, Quick Tips may represent only partial solutions or work-arounds that are still in development or pending further proof of successfully resolving an issue. As such Quick Tips have not been reviewed, validated or approved by Dell and should be used with appropriate caution. Dell shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profit or loss of revenue, which customers may incur by following any procedure or advice set out in the Quick Tips.

Article ID: SLN49499

Last Date Modified: 11/14/2010 12:00 AM

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What are the beep codes for my Dell™ PowerEdge™ 300 or 500 SC server? - Technical Tip - 159344

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