Dell Inspiron 3700 Reference Manual page 158

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System Codes and Messages: Dell™ Inspiron™ 3700 System Reference
Error Messages
System Flash Codes
Error Messages
Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself can identify problems and alert you to them. When this occurs, a message
may appear on the computer's display or on an external monitor (if one is attached), or a flash code may be emitted.
If an error message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message. For an explanation of the message and suggestions
for correcting any errors, see Table
NOTES: If the message is not listed in Table 1, see the documentation for the application program that was running at the
time the message appeared and/or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and a
recommended action.
When Table 1 suggests that you run a Dell Diagnostics test, refer to "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in Chapter 3 of the
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions. When Table 1 suggests that you call Dell for technical assistance,
refer to "Contacting Dell" in the system Help for instructions. When Table 1 suggests that you enable or disable a System
Setup program option, refer to
Table 1. System Error Messages
Message
Auxiliary device
failure
Bad command or file
name
Cache disabled due to
failure
CD-ROM drive controller
failure 1
Data error
Decreasing available
memory
Disk C: failed
initialization
Diskette drive 0 seek
failure
Diskette read failure
Diskette subsystem
reset failed
Diskette write-
protected
Drive not ready
1. The messages are listed alphabetically.
System Setup Program.
Cause
The touch pad, track stick, or external
Personal System/2 (PS/2) mouse may be
faulty.
The command you entered does not exist or
is not in the pathname you specified.
The primary cache internal to the
microprocessor has failed.
The CD-ROM drive does not respond to
commands from the computer.
The diskette or hard-disk drive cannot read
the data.
One or more memory modules may be faulty
or improperly seated.
The hard-disk drive failed initialization.
A cable may be loose, or the system
configuration information may not match the
hardware configuration.
A cable may be loose, or the diskette may
be faulty.
The diskette drive controller may be faulty.
Because the diskette is write-protected, the
operation cannot be completed.
No diskette is in the diskette drive, or no
hard-disk drive is in the media bay. The
Action
If you are using an external mouse only, check the connection
for a loose or improperly connected cable. If the problem
persists, enable the Pointing Device option. For
information, see "Page 2 Options of the System Setup
Program." If the problem persists, call Dell for technical
assistance.
Make sure that you have typed the command correctly,
placed spaces in the proper location, and used the correct
pathname.
Call Dell for technical assistance.
Turn off the computer, remove the drive, and boot the
computer from a bootable diskette. Then turn off the
computer again, reinstall the drive, and reboot the computer.
If the problem persists, try another drive. Then run the CD-
ROM Drive tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Run the appropriate utility to check the file structure of the
diskette drive or hard-disk drive. See the documentation that
came with your operating system.
Reseat the memory modules and, if necessary, replace them.
Run the IDE Devices tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If error is not
corrected, have the cables checked by an authorized service
technician.
If the diskette-drive access indicator lights up, try a different
diskette.
Run the Diskette tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Slide the write-protect notch up.
Put a diskette in the drive bay, or push the diskette all the way
into the drive until the eject button pops out. Or, install a hard-