How to Use and Troubleshoot the Vostro 270/270s

Table of Contents:

1. The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video
2. Fan and Thermal Problems
3. Vostro 270 Specifications
4. Dell PC Diagnostics Quick Test and SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets
5. System Board Component Locations
6. Main I/O Board Component Locations
7. How to Open the Chassis
8. How to Remove and Re-insert the Components
9. Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting

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The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video

If you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning), but the computer does not show any image, listen for a series of beeps during start-up.

• When beeping codes are heard, refer to (Table 1) to help troubleshoot the issue with your computer.:

  Repetitive Beep Codes
  1	Possible motherboard failure - BIOS ROM checksum failure.
  2	No RAM detected. NOTE: If you installed or replaced the memory module, ensure that the memory module is seated properly.
  3	Possible motherboard failure - Chipset error.
  4	RAM read/write failure.
  5	Real Time Clock failure.
  6	Video card or chip failure.
  7	Processor failure.

  Table 1: Repetitive Beep Codes
   

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• When no beeping codes are heard, perform the following steps:
  1. Disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor (for desktop systems). Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, cards etc.
  2. Drain MB power about one minute (until MB lights turn off, which can take from 20 seconds up to one minute).
  3. Make sure that the monitor is receiving power and that it plugged into the correct port on the video card. For SLI systems, the correct DVI port to be used would be the one on the primary (upper) video card, the one to the left looking from the back of the computer. This port can also be used for single card configurations.
  4. Remove all the memory sticks (found next to the CPU) and attempt to POST the system using one memory stick at a time on Slot 1. Reinsert all memory sticks, and make sure that their connection to the motherboard is optimal. If after doing this the problem reappears then you may have a defective memory slot on the motherboard.
      
  NOTE: For written information on how to open the side panel and to access the memory modules, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. Click to view the Owner's Manual. For information on opening the left side-panel refer to the Left Side-Panel section. For the Memory Modules, locate the Memory Modules(s) section and follow the instructions.
  5. Clear the CMOS settings:
      
  NOTE: For more information on how to open the side panel and location of the clear CMOS jumper connector, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. For information on opening the left side-panel refer to the Left Side-Panel section. For information on the location of the CMOS jumper, locate the Technical Overview section and look in the System-Board Components section for the location of the CMOS jumper.
  6. Perform different video configuration tests: make sure the video card(s) has/have the proper power connections from the power supply, reseat the video card(s) and if more than one video card is present, try them individually.
      
  NOTE: For more information on how to open the side panel and remove and insert the PCI-Express Cards, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. For information on opening the left side-panel refer to the Left Side-Panel section. For information on removing the video card refer to the Graphics Card section.
  7. Remove all but the essential components (one memory module and one Video Card only) including, WiFi adapters, TV tuners, Optical Dives (ODD's), Hard Disk Drives (HDD's) and try to turn the computer on.
      
  NOTE: For more information on how to open the side panel and remove and insert the components, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to each section for instructions on removing that component.
  8. Refer to Dell Knowledge Base article How to Resolve No Power, No POST, No Boot or No Video Issues with Your Dell Computer.

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Fan and Thermal Problems

For information on how to open the side panel and troubleshoot the Cooling Assembly, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Dell PC Diagnostics Quick Test and SupportAssist for PCs and Tablets

Note: The fastest and easiest way to identify and resolve the problem is by using our quick test online diagnostic tool. This will either fix the problem automatically, or it will guide you through the steps to resolve the problem. If the diagnostic identifies a failing part, depending on the failing part, we will immediately start the process for a free in-warranty replacement part.

Dell provides several options to maintain and diagnose your computer:

• The fastest and easiest way to identify and resolve the most common issues is by using our Dell PC Diagnostics quick test. This will either fix the problem automatically, or it will guide you through the steps to resolve the problem.
  Note: When the diagnostic identifies a failing part, depending on the failing part, we will immediately start the process for a free in-warranty replacement part.

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• SupportAssist, previously called My Dell, provides system updates, detects issues and sends you alerts based on your device, which makes solving and preventing problems easier than ever. This application gives you access to everything you need to take the guesswork out of maintaining PCs and tablets. For more information such as how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.

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• When the computer cannot access the Internet, you can run the built-in diagnostics on your computer, for more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article, Run Built-In Diagnostics (ePSA) for Your System.

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Specifications

For information on the Vostro Specifications, browse to the Dell Product Page and select Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Specifications (SWF/PDF).

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System Board Component Locations

For information on the system board component locations, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Main I/O Board Component Locations

For information on the main I/O board component locations, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Back View section.

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How to Open the Chassis

For information on how to open the chassis side panel, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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How to Remove and Re-insert the Components

For information on how to remove and re-insert the components, browse to the Vostro 270 Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. Refer to the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting

For how-to's and troubleshooting information on wireless networking please visit the Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center.

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