kadell

3 Posts

149380

December 20th, 2011 13:00

BIOS error Beep code/ Precision 670

Dear All,

Dell Precision WorkStation 670 cannot start up suddenly, which is showing the BIOS error.

The LED code is "green-yellow-green-yellow", which might mean memory error.

But the Beep code is

"1 (long)-3 (short)-2 (short)", which is not listed on the code chart.

Could you please let me know what this error means and how to solve?

I had already tried to replace memory, check the power-supply, and HD, but I could not solve

the problem yet.

Many thanks.

Responses(5)

speedstep

9 Legend

•

47K Posts

0

December 21st, 2011 06:00

The only way to check the power supply is to replace with a known working supply.

These Systems use a NON STANDARD power Supply unit.

green

yellow

green

yellow

Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.

Ensure that no special memory module requirements exist.
Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer.
Reinstall the memory modules and restart the computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.

1-3-1 through 2-4-4

Memory not being properly identified or used

System Lights

Your power button light and hard-drive light may indicate a computer problem.

Power Light	Hard-Drive Light	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
Solid green	N/A	Power is on, and the computer is operating normally.	No corrective action is required.
Blinking green	Blank	The computer is in the suspended state (Microsoft® Windows® XP).	Press the power button, move the mouse, or press a key on the keyboard to wake the computer. See "Power Management."
Blinks green several times and then turns off	N/A	A configuration error exists.	Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid yellow	N/A	The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed.	If the Dell Diagnostics is running, allow the testing to complete. Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. If the computer does not boot, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.
Blinking yellow	Blank	A power supply or system board failure has occurred.	Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. See "Power Problems." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
Blinking yellow	Solid green	A system board or VRM failure has occurred.	Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green and a beep code during POST	N/A	A problem was detected while the BIOS was executing.	See "Beep Codes" <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> for instructions on diagnosing the beep code. Also, check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified.
Solid green power light and no beep code and no video during POST	N/A	The monitor or the graphics card may be faulty or incorrectly installed.	Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. See "Video and Monitor Problems." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
Solid green power light and no beep code but the computer locks up during POST	N/A	An integrated system board device may be faulty.	Check the diagnostic lights to see if the specific problem is identified. If the problem is not identified, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

Diagnostic Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the Product Information Guide.

To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D" on the front panel. The lights can be yellow, green, or off. 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.

Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST

Light Pattern

Problem Description

Suggested Resolution

off

No electrical power is supplied to the computer.

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet. Ensure that the front-panel power light is on. If the power light is off, ensure that the computer is connected to a working electrical outlet and then press the power button.

If the problem is still not resolved, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.for technical assistance.

yellow

off

The computer is in a normal off condition; the computer is connected to an electrical outlet.

Press the power button to turn the computer on.

If the computer does not turn on, ensure that the front-panel power light is on. If the power light is off, ensure that the computer is connected to a working electrical outlet and then press the power button.

If the problem is still not resolved, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.for technical assistance.

yellow

off

The computer is in a reduced power or "sleep" state.

Use one of the appropriate methods to "wake up" the computer. See "Advanced Features."

If the problem is not resolved and you are trying to wake the computer with a USB mouse or keyboard, substitute the mouse or keyboard with a working PS/2 mouse or keyboard and then try to wake the computer.

yellow

off

The BIOS is not executing.

Ensure that the processor is seated correctly and restart the computer.

If the problem is still not resolved, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

off

yellow

off

A possible power supply or power cable failure has occurred.

Perform the procedure in "Power Problems." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

If the problem is still not resolved, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.for technical assistance.

off

yellow

off

A possible system board failure has occurred.

Contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

yellow

off

yellow

off

A processor and/or VRM mismatch exists.

Perform the procedure in "Processor Problems." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

green

yellow

off

A possible VRM 0 failure has occurred.

Contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

yellow

green

yellow

green

A possible VRM 1 failure has occurred.

Perform the procedure in "Processor Problems." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

green

yellow

off

A possible VRM 0 and VRM 1 failure has occurred.

Contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

Diagnostic Light Codes During POST

Light Pattern

Problem Description

Suggested Resolution

yellow

green

yellow

A possible processor failure has occurred.

Reinstall the processor and restart the computer.

yellow

green

Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.

Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector 1 (DIMM_1).
Restart the computer.

The following message appears: Alert! Operating in Debug Mode. Please Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal Operation.

Press to boot to the operating system.
Run the Dell Diagnostics. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and then repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.

When the defective memory module is identified, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.for a replacement.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.

yellow

green

yellow

A possible expansion card failure has occurred.

Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not the graphics card) and then restarting the computer.
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
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"). <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
If the problem persists, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>..

yellow

green

yellow

green

A possible graphics card failure has occurred.

If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card, reinstall it, and then restart the computer.
If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the computer.
If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>..

yellow

green

yellow

A possible floppy or hard drive failure has occurred.

Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.

yellow

green

A possible USB failure has occurred.

Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.

green

yellow

No memory modules are detected.

Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector 1.
Restart the computer.

The following message appears: Alert! Operating in Debug Mode. Please Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal Operation.

Press to boot to the operating system.
Run the Dell Diagnostics. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and then repeat the process with the remaining memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.

If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules are not defective.

When the defective memory module is identified, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for a replacement.

NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.

green

yellow

green

System board failure has occurred.

Contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. for technical assistance.

green

yellow

green

yellow

Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.

Ensure that no special memory module requirements exist.
Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer.
Reinstall the memory modules and restart the computer.
If the problem persists, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>..

green

yellow

green

A possible expansion card failure has occurred.

Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not a graphics card) and restarting the computer.
If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
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").<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

If the problem persists, contact Dell.

green

yellow

A possible system board resource and/or hardware failure has occurred.

Perform the procedures in "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities." <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

If the problem persists, contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.

green

yellow

Other failure has occurred.

Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive.
If the problem persists, contact Dell<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.

green

The computer is in a normal operating condition after POST.

None.

Beep Codes

Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. One possible beep code (code 1-3-1) consists of one beep, a burst of three beeps, and then one beep. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory problem.

If your computer beeps during start-up:

Write down the beep code on the Diagnostics Checklist.
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> to identify a more serious cause.
Contact Dell <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>for technical assistance.

Code	Cause
1-1-2	Microprocessor register failure
1-1-3	NVRAM read/write failure
1-1-4	ROM BIOS checksum failure
1-2-1	Programmable interval timer failure
1-2-2	DMA initialization failure
1-2-3	DMA page register read/write failure
1-3	Video Memory Test failure
1-3-1 through 2-4-4	Memory not being properly identified or used
3-1-1	Slave DMA register failure
3-1-2	Master DMA register failure
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	Invalid NVRAM configuration
3-3-4	Video Memory Test failure
3-4-1	Screen initialization failure
3-4-2	Screen retrace failure
3-4-3	Search for video ROM failure
4-2-1	No timer tick
4-2-2	Shutdown failure
4-2-3	Gate A20 failure
4-2-4	Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
4-3-1	Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
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
4-4-2	Failure to decompress code to shadowed memory
4-4-3	Math-coprocessor test failure
4-4-4	Cache test failure

kadell

3 Posts

0

December 21st, 2011 06:00

Thank you very much.

I had checked these charts, therefore, checked the memory (replaced with the others, but no success).

But the Beep code is 1-3-2 (for my ears), which is not listed. So, I am wondering what this means.

The power lamp is Solid green.

I would be grateful if you could think of any solution.

Also, could I assume that BIOS itself is not corrupted?

Many thanks.

kadell

3 Posts

0

December 21st, 2011 12:00

Thank you very much.

I am using much smaller memory on WInXP (32 bit)

The original memory (shipped from Dell) had 4 x 512MB, that is,

- 2 x 512MB 1Rx8 PC2-3200R-333; and

- 2 x 512MB 2Rx8 PC2-3200R-333,

both of which seem to be different from yours, but had been running for over 5 years.

I then thought one or more of these might be damaged and tried only with each of the pairs, and

tried with the other pair (had been used on the other machine).

Would you mean that I should try with brand new memory, not with the used ones?

Many thanks.

speedstep

9 Legend

•

47K Posts

0

December 21st, 2011 12:00

1-3-1 through 2-4-4

Memory not being properly identified or used

1-3-1, 1-3-2, 1-3 -3, 1-3-4 , through 2-4-4

ANY OLD RAM does not work

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (ECC)
Maximum Memory: 16GB
Slots: 6
Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 2GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

Installed in pairs of modules.

If more than 4GB of memory is installed, you must install an additional cooling fan.

Please contact Dell for more information at 1-800-999-3355

When dual ranked parts (currently 2GB and larger parts are dual ranked) are used in banks 3 and 4,

then banks 5 and 6 must be left empty.

How much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB. To utilize more memory, install a 64-bit version of your OS. More information about OS memory maximums can be found here.