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gx260 Boot problem?
When i boot up every morning the machine would just start beeping. I would have to cold reboot numerous times before it would finally boot. I had this problem on other machines before and reseated the memory and it would work fine. I tried this on the machine and still doesn't work. I narrow it down to either the memory, mobo, or the PS. Anyone have experiences with this and how what might be the cause before i order anything.
jimmydean187
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January 23rd, 2004 14:00
DELL-Jesse L
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January 23rd, 2004 14:00
jimmydean187,
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
Count the beep sequence and post it in the forum so that I can view it to determine what is wrong.
DELL-Jesse L
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January 23rd, 2004 15:00
jimmydean187,
Here is a list of the beep sequence and the led lights on the back of the cpu. Maybe get an idea of what I am talking about.
Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps that identify a problem: for example, one beep, followed by a a burst of three beeps, and then one beep (code 1-3-1) means that the computer encountered a memory problem.
Code
Cause
Action
1-1-2
Microprocessor register failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
1-1-3
NVRAM
Run the Dell Diagnostics<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
1-1-4
ROM BIOS checksum failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
1-2-1
Programmable interval timer
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
1-2-2
DMA initialization failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
1-2-3
DMA page register read/write failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
1-3-1 through 2-4-4
DIMMs not being properly identified or used
See "Memory Problems."
3-1-1
Slave DMA register failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-1-2
Master DMA register failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-1-3
Master interrupt mask register failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
3-1-4
Slave interrupt mask register failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
3-2-2
Interrupt vector loading failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
3-2-4
Keyboard Controller Test failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-3-1
NVRAM power loss
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-3-2
NVRAM configuration
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-3-4
Video Memory Test failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-4-1
Screen initialization failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-4-2
Screen retrace failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
3-4-3
Search for video ROM failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
4-2-1
No time tick
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-2
Shutdown failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-3
Gate A20 failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-4
Unexpected interrupt in protected mode
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-3-1
Memory failure above address 0FFFFh
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
4-3-3
Timer-chip counter 2 failure
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-3-4
Time-of-day clock stopped
Contact Dell for technical assistance.
4-4-1
Serial or parallel port test failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>.
4-4-4
Cache test failure
Run the Dell Diagnostics <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
Diagnostic Lights
To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D". These lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts up normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.
Back Panel Diagnostic Light Codes
Light pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
off
off
off
off
Normal off condition or possible pre-BIOS failure
Verify that the computer is plugged into a working outlet and that you have pressed the power button.
green
yellow
yellow
yellow
Possible BIOS failure; the computer is in the recovery mode
Run the BIOS Recovery Utility, wait for recovery completion, and restart the computer to retest.
yellow
green
yellow
yellow
Possible processor failure
Reseat the processor, and restart the computer to retest.
green
green
yellow
yellow
Possible memory failure
Reseat all memory modules and restart the computer to retest.
yellow
yellow
green
yellow
Possible expansion card failure
Remove each expansion card individually, and restart the computer to retest.
Reinstall the expansion card(s) one at a time, and restart the computer to retest.
Move each expansion card one at a time to another PCI slot, and restart the computer to retest.
green
yellow
green
yellow
Possible video card failure or bad on-board video
If you have a video card, reseat it and restart the computer to retest. If you have video integrated, you must replace the system board.
yellow
green
green
yellow
Possible floppy or hard drive failure
Reseat all power and data cables, and restart the computer to retest.
green
green
green
yellow
Possible USB failure
Reseat all USB devices and cables, and restart the computer to retest.
yellow
yellow
yellow
green
No memory detected
Reseat all memory modules and restart the computer.
If the problem still exists, to eliminate the possibility of a faulty memory connector, install one memory module (if the computer supports a single module), and restart the computer. Then move the module to another connector and restart the computer.
yellow
green
yellow
green
Memory is detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists
Be sure that the memory modules are compatible with your computer. If necessary, replace the memory modules.
yellow
green
green
green
Other failure
Check the computer message that appears on your monitor screen.
green
green
green
green
Normal operating condition after POST
None.
tender_prey
2 Posts
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February 8th, 2004 07:00
I sort of forgot it ever happened and all has been normal until few days ago when the same thing happened. Only now, when i un-replugged the monitor (while power off)and tried to reboot the desktop began to beep like 1-3-2. I checked the monitor again with my other unit and it worked fine. The ABCD leds were all yellow except A. The diagnostics (dell forum) say poss memory fault and to reseat modules. I did nothing, except that night I unplugged the desktop's A/C cable from the outlet and put it back on. The PC booted normally (with only one beep) and all leds turned green. It, again booted normally this morning and I'm just at a loss as to what maybe causing it.. Any thoughts ??
By the way I refrained from opening the chassis as fear this will prejudice my warranty (?)
Thnx +
tender_prey
2 Posts
0
February 8th, 2004 08:00
P.S - All other tests were successful +