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Article Number: 000137596

Dell PowerEdge Server or PowerVault Storage Diagnostic LED (QuadPack) Troubleshooting

Summary: How to troubleshoot storage diagnostic LED (QuadPack) codes on a Dell PowerEdge server or PowerVault storage system

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Article Content

Symptoms

A PowerEdge server or PowerVault storage system may sometimes require troubleshooting using the diagnostic LEDs. The diagnostic LEDs are illuminated in different ways to indicate where to focus troubleshooting.

Cause

Not applicable

Resolution

LED codes and definitions:

Reference the appropriate server model Hardware Owner's Manual for detailed instructions on how to remove components. For more information, reference your server model on www.dell.com/support.

LED Code Cause Summary Information
A off, B off, C off, D off
1 off, 2 off, 3 off, 4 off		 OFF
  • AC power not available, the system is unplugged from the wall, or power cables are not installed correctly.
  • On some systems, the diagnostic lights are not lit after the system successfully boots into the operating system.
  • The system is in a normal operating condition after POST.
  1. Confirm that the AC power cable is plugged securely into the outlet and power supply.
  2. If able, reseat the power supply in the chassis.
A lit yellow, B lit yellow, C lit green, D lit yellow 
1 off, 2 off, 3 lit green, 4 off		 CPU CPU configuration activity is in progress, or a CPU failure was detected.
  1. Inspect the processor and heat sink for damage.
  2. Clear the NVRAM.
A lit yellow, B lit yellow, C lit green, D lit green
1 off, 2 off, 3 lit green, 4 lit green		 MEM Memory subsystem configuration activity is in progress, or a memory failure was detected.
  1. Reseat the memory and verify it is in the correct configuration.
  2. Test each memory module individually in each socket to isolate a module or socket problem.
A lit yellow, B lit green, C lit yellow, D lit yellow
1 off, 2 lit green, 3 off, 4 off		 PCI PCI device configuration activity is in progress, or PCI device failure was detected.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Remove all external devices and expansion cards. Replace each device one at time until the faulty device is isolated.
A lit yellow, B lit green, C lit yellow, D lit green
1 off, 2 lit green, 3 off, 4 lit green		 VID Video subsystem configuration activity in progress or video subsystem failure
  1. Reseat the video card if possible.
A lit yellow, B lit green, C lit green, D lit green
1 off, 2 lit green, 3 lit green, 4 lit green		 USB USB subsystem configuration activity in progress or USB subsystem failure.
  1. Disconnect all USB devices. Reconnect each device one at time until the fault is found.
  2. Clear the NVRAM.
A lit green, B lit yellow, C lit yellow, D lit yellow
1 lit green, 2 off, 3 off, 4 off		 MEM2 Memory was not detected.
  1. Reseat the memory.
  2. Try known good memory if available.
  3. Test each memory module individually in each socket to isolate a module or socket problem.
A lit green, B lit yellow, C lit yellow, D lit green
1 lit green, 2 off, 3 off, 4 lit green		 MBF Fatal motherboard failure detected.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Remove all external devices.
  3. Remove all expansion cards.
  4. Disconnect all drives.
  5. Inspect the heat sink and processor.
  6. If the server POSTs with all the devices out, reconnect them one at a time until the faulty device is isolated.
A lit green, B lit yellow, C lit green, D lit yellow
1 lit green, 2 off, 3 lit green, 4 off		 MEM3 Memory configuration or compatibility error.
  1. Reseat and confirm that the memory is in the correct configuration. Remove any recently added memory.
  2. Try known good memory if available.
  3. Test each memory module individually in each socket to isolate a module or socket problem.
A lit green, B lit yellow, C lit green, D lit green
1 lit green, 2 off, 3 lit green, 4 lit green		 PRV Indicates routine system activity preceding video initialization.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Remove all external devices and expansion cards. Replace each device one at time until the faulty device is isolated.
A lit green, B lit green, C lit yellow, D lit yellow
1 lit green, 2 lit green, 3 off, 4 off		 CFG System resource configuration in progress.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Remove all external devices and expansion cards. Replace each device one at time until the faulty device is isolated.
A lit green, B lit green, C lit green, D lit yellow
1 lit green, 2 lit green, 3 lit green, 4 off		 POV Indicates routine system activity after video initialization.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Verify that all drives are properly connected.
  3. Remove all external devices and expansion cards. Replace each device one at time until the faulty device is isolated.
A lit green, B lit green, C lit green, D lit green
1 lit green, 2 lit green, 3 lit green, 4 lit green		 STD Indicates End of POST process. LED's remain in this pattern after POST, until system is switched off or reset.
  1. If there is no video, check the KVM and monitor configuration.
  2. If not booting to the operating system, check for hard drive and software errors.
1 off, 2 off, 3 off, 4 lit green BIOS BIOS checksum failure detected; system is in recovery mode.
  1. Clear the NVRAM.
  2. Remove all external devices and expansion cards. Replace each device one at time until the faulty device is isolated.
Note: For legacy Dell PowerEdge 10th and 11th generation servers, reference Dell PowerEdge : System LED Status Light indicators on legacy servers (10th and 11th generation).

Article Properties

Affected Product

PowerEdge, Legacy Server Models

Last Published Date

23 Mar 2023

Version

5

Article Type

Solution

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