Troubleshooting your computer, Diagnostic leds, 6 troubleshooting your computer – Dell Precision T3600 (Mid 2012) User Manual

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6

Troubleshooting Your Computer

You can troubleshoot your computer using indicators like Diagnostic Lights, Beep Codes, and Error Messages during the

operation of the computer.

Diagnostic LEDs

NOTE: The diagnostic LEDs only serve as an indicator of the progress through the Power-On Self Test (POST)
process. These LEDs do not indicate the problem that caused the POST routine to stop.

The diagnostic LEDs are located on the front of the chassis next to the power button. These diagnostic LEDs are only
active and visible during the POST process. Once the operating system starts to load, they turn off and are no longer
visible.
Each LED has two possible states of OFF or ON. The most significant bit is labeled with the number 1, and the other three
are labeled 2, 3, and 4, as you go down or across the LED stack. The normal operating condition after POST is for all four
LEDs to be ON and then turn off as the BIOS hands control over to the operating system.

NOTE: The diagnostic lights will blink when the power button is amber or off, and will not blink when it is white.

Table 11. POST Diagnostic LED Patterns

Diagnostic LEDs

The computer is either turned off

or is not receiving power

The computer is booted and

operating normally.

If the computer is turned off ,

connect the AC power-supply and

power-on the computer.

PCI device configuration activity is in
progress or PCI device failure was
detected.

Remove all peripheral cards from

the PCI and PCI-E slots and reboot

the computer. If the computer

boots, add the peripheral cards

back one by one until you find the

bad one.

A possible processor failure has
occurred.

Re-seat the processor.

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

If two or more memory modules

are installed, remove the modules,

then reinstall one module and re-

start the computer. If the

computer starts normally,

continue to install additional

memory modules (one at a time)

until you have identified a faulty

module or reinstalled all modules

without error. If only one memory

module is installed, try moving it to

a different DIMM connector and

re-start the computer.

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