It took me a while to write down since I can't take a screenshot of it or anything but I think I got it all down. It probably isn't 100% exact but here it is:
Initializing DELLSYS Module
Status: Fail Status Code: DOS DDG-D Unkown 000 002
Device: Unkown Test: Unkown
Release: 1012 Module(s) : DELLSYS
Msg: SYSTEM_ERROR This system is not recognised as a supported Dell PC. These diagnostics may not run on unsupported systems.
PRESS ANY KEY TO EXIT DIAGNOSTICS
Then it doesn't allow me to continue and sends me back into MSDOS mode.
What it is telling me isn't true. I've used the exact same disk on this computer many times before and I know this system is supported by it. I think it may have lost some data which identifies what machine I am using. Is there anyway to make it remember that I am using a supported system?
oh btw, I am making it boot from the dell resource cd by switching the BIOS settings and running the diagnostics just like it says on this website. I am booting it up the correct way so that probably isn't part of the problem.
Have you flashed your bios lately?
Have you flashed your bios with an intel version?
1.Try resetting the bios defaults.
2.Try using a download diagnostics to see if that works...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Turn on (or restart) your system.
When the blue Dell logo appears, press (Delete Key) "Several Times"
If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation. Then shut down the system and try again.
If you succeed you will get a screen that reads (Dell Dimension 4100 Setup)
Reset the defaults:
Press the (F9) key, this will prompt you to (Setup Default Configuration)
Highlight (Yes) and press the (Enter) key.
Clearing NVRAM:
Press the right-arrow key to move to the Advanced menu.
Use the down-arrow key to highlight (Boot Configuration), and press (Enter).
Press the down-arrow key to highlight (Reset Config Data) and press (Enter).
Then change the setting to (Yes).
Press (F10) and press (Enter) on (Save Changes and Exit).
The system should then reboot.
---------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance MODE:
1.Turn the system off.
2.Unplug all cables and devices.
3.Open the system case.
4.Move the jumpers to Pins 2-3.
5.Connect the power, video, mouse, keyboard.
6.Turn the system on for 10-15 seconds.
7.Turn the system off, remove cables.
8.Move the jumper back to original position.
9.Put everything back together.
10.Boot the system up.
**Jumpering to Maintenance Mode:
Pins 1-2 jumpered (Normal mode)
Pins 2-3 jumpered (Maintenance mode)
In Normal mode, system setup settings and installed passwords are retained when the system starts up. In this mode, an automatic recovery is attempted if the BIOS detects that any of its main blocks are corrupted
Starting the system with the jumper set in Maintenance mode automatically starts the system setup program, adds the Maintenance option to the menu bar, and displays the Maintenance screen. This screen provides the following option.
NOTICE: Entering Maintenance mode returns all settings in the system setup program to their defaults. Dell strongly recommends that you record or print all current settings before entering this mode so that you can correct them when the system is reset to Normal mode.
***This web page will show you how to Jumper to Maintenance Mode:***
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/techovu.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard dive, and then run (double-click) it to unzip the set of 1-5 files. Follow the instructions to create a set of floppy diskettes, and then use the diskettes to complete the installation.
To start the diagnostic tests boot the computer with the diagnostic disk in the appropriate drive.
The files will automatically load into the system.
The system will prompt for one several choices, depending on the extent and specificity of the tests to be run. For example, the choices will include:
(Fully test all devices, Quickly test all devices, Select Device to test, Exit to MSDOS.) Depending on the Diagnostic version,
some of these choices may not be available.
You should try running the (Fully test all devices), if any errors are encountered
when try to use this choice then use the (Quickly test all devices.)
If any errors are encountered when the Diagnostics program is running,
then it is an actual hardware failure.
Fully test all devices, will run an entire, comprehensive test on the computer system.
Quickly test all devices, will run all tests on the entire system, without running as an exhaustive test on the hard drive as the Run All Tests selection will.
Select a device to test, allows for the testing of specific components in the system; this choice is used if there is good reason to suspect a specific component may be the cause of the failure.
Within select a device to test, are several specific tests which individually test RAM, System Set (the chipset on the motherboard), Video, Keyboard, Mouse, Drives, Ports (serial and parallel), SCSI Devices, and Network Interfaces.
Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
NOTE: For most situations, you should Run Quick Tests.
***************************************************************
You must have the Dell Resource CD or Windows CD, in the CDROM or DVD drive.
If you have a CDRW-Drive you must also have a blank formatted CDRW disk in that drive.
Disconnect all devices from the back of the system other then the, mouse,
keyboard, and monitor.
If you have a USB keyboard or mouse, you must switch to a PS2 keyboard or mouse. USB devices are not recognized by diagnostics.
I haven't tried that all yet, but when I go to the BIOS, the service tag it displays is incorrect. The service tag it shows on the BIOS is completly different than the actual service tag on the side of my computer. Is there any way to put the correct service tag back?
I also forgot to mention that about a year ago dell diagnostics detected that my computer's hard drive and ram were breaking down and later I had to get parts of my computer replaced. Could this be the reason for it showing a different service tag and not being able to recognise my computer?
I will try what you said but I am going to back up my data first before I touch anything inside of the computer, heh.
Karell
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
January 2nd, 2003 14:00
Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.
What are the exact steps you take to start the diagnostics?
What is the error message, word for word?
machrider
9 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2003 18:00
It took me a while to write down since I can't take a screenshot of it or anything but I think I got it all down. It probably isn't 100% exact but here it is:
Initializing DELLSYS Module
Status: Fail Status Code: DOS DDG-D Unkown 000 002
Device: Unkown Test: Unkown
Release: 1012 Module(s) : DELLSYS
Msg: SYSTEM_ERROR This system is not recognised as a supported Dell PC. These diagnostics may not run on unsupported systems.
PRESS ANY KEY TO EXIT DIAGNOSTICS
Then it doesn't allow me to continue and sends me back into MSDOS mode.
What it is telling me isn't true. I've used the exact same disk on this computer many times before and I know this system is supported by it. I think it may have lost some data which identifies what machine I am using. Is there anyway to make it remember that I am using a supported system?
oh btw, I am making it boot from the dell resource cd by switching the BIOS settings and running the diagnostics just like it says on this website. I am booting it up the correct way so that probably isn't part of the problem.
Karell
2 Intern
•
2.5K Posts
0
January 3rd, 2003 17:00
Have you flashed your bios lately?
Have you flashed your bios with an intel version?
1.Try resetting the bios defaults.
2.Try using a download diagnostics to see if that works...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Turn on (or restart) your system.
When the blue Dell logo appears, press (Delete Key) "Several Times"
If you wait too long and the operating system begins to load into memory, let the system complete the load operation. Then shut down the system and try again.
If you succeed you will get a screen that reads (Dell Dimension 4100 Setup)
Reset the defaults:
Press the (F9) key, this will prompt you to (Setup Default Configuration)
Highlight (Yes) and press the (Enter) key.
Clearing NVRAM:
Press the right-arrow key to move to the Advanced menu.
Use the down-arrow key to highlight (Boot Configuration), and press (Enter).
Press the down-arrow key to highlight (Reset Config Data) and press (Enter).
Then change the setting to (Yes).
Press (F10) and press (Enter) on (Save Changes and Exit).
The system should then reboot.
---------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance MODE:
1.Turn the system off.
2.Unplug all cables and devices.
3.Open the system case.
4.Move the jumpers to Pins 2-3.
5.Connect the power, video, mouse, keyboard.
6.Turn the system on for 10-15 seconds.
7.Turn the system off, remove cables.
8.Move the jumper back to original position.
9.Put everything back together.
10.Boot the system up.
**Jumpering to Maintenance Mode:
Pins 1-2 jumpered (Normal mode)
Pins 2-3 jumpered (Maintenance mode)
In Normal mode, system setup settings and installed passwords are retained when the system starts up. In this mode, an automatic recovery is attempted if the BIOS detects that any of its main blocks are corrupted
Starting the system with the jumper set in Maintenance mode automatically starts the system setup program, adds the Maintenance option to the menu bar, and displays the Maintenance screen. This screen provides the following option.
NOTICE: Entering Maintenance mode returns all settings in the system setup program to their defaults. Dell strongly recommends that you record or print all current settings before entering this mode so that you can correct them when the system is reset to Normal mode.
***This web page will show you how to Jumper to Maintenance Mode:***
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/techovu.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You can download the latest diags file here.
This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard dive, and then run (double-click) it to unzip the set of 1-5 files. Follow the instructions to create a set of floppy diskettes, and then use the diskettes to complete the installation.
To start the diagnostic tests boot the computer with the diagnostic disk in the appropriate drive.
The files will automatically load into the system.
The system will prompt for one several choices, depending on the extent and specificity of the tests to be run. For example, the choices will include:
(Fully test all devices, Quickly test all devices, Select Device to test, Exit to MSDOS.) Depending on the Diagnostic version,
some of these choices may not be available.
You should try running the (Fully test all devices), if any errors are encountered
when try to use this choice then use the (Quickly test all devices.)
If any errors are encountered when the Diagnostics program is running,
then it is an actual hardware failure.
Fully test all devices, will run an entire, comprehensive test on the computer system.
Quickly test all devices, will run all tests on the entire system, without running as an exhaustive test on the hard drive as the Run All Tests selection will.
Select a device to test, allows for the testing of specific components in the system; this choice is used if there is good reason to suspect a specific component may be the cause of the failure.
Within select a device to test, are several specific tests which individually test RAM, System Set (the chipset on the motherboard), Video, Keyboard, Mouse, Drives, Ports (serial and parallel), SCSI Devices, and Network Interfaces.
Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.
NOTE: For most situations, you should Run Quick Tests.
***************************************************************
You must have the Dell Resource CD or Windows CD, in the CDROM or DVD drive.
If you have a CDRW-Drive you must also have a blank formatted CDRW disk in that drive.
Disconnect all devices from the back of the system other then the, mouse,
keyboard, and monitor.
If you have a USB keyboard or mouse, you must switch to a PS2 keyboard or mouse. USB devices are not recognized by diagnostics.
machrider
9 Posts
0
January 4th, 2003 21:00
I haven't tried that all yet, but when I go to the BIOS, the service tag it displays is incorrect. The service tag it shows on the BIOS is completly different than the actual service tag on the side of my computer. Is there any way to put the correct service tag back?
I also forgot to mention that about a year ago dell diagnostics detected that my computer's hard drive and ram were breaking down and later I had to get parts of my computer replaced. Could this be the reason for it showing a different service tag and not being able to recognise my computer?
I will try what you said but I am going to back up my data first before I touch anything inside of the computer, heh.