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Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
Memory Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
Microprocessor Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks.
Restart the computer —
l If the mouse is functioning, shut down the computer through the Start menu. After the computer shuts down, press the power button
to restart the computer.
l If the computer does not respond to a keystroke or the mouse, press the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the
computer turns off. Press the power button again to restart the computer.
Check the keyboard cable —
l Ensure that the keyboard cable is firmly connected to the computer.
l Check the cable connector for bent or broken pins and for damaged or frayed cables. Straighten bent pins.
l Remove keyboard extension cables and connect the keyboard directly to the computer.
Test the keyboard — Connect a properly working keyboard to the computer, and try using the keyboard. If the new keyboard works, the
original keyboard is faulty.
Check the keyboard switch setting — Some keyboards have switch settings that are on the bottom of the keyboard, sometimes behind a
panel. Ensure that the switch is set to PS/2, Enhanced XT/AT, or PC/AT. See the keyboard documentation for recommended settings.
Run the Dell Diagnostics — Run the Dell Diagnostics. If any of the diagnostics tests fail, contact Dell.
Check for interrupt request conflicts — See "Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities."
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
If you receive an insufficient memory message —
1. Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem.
2. Confirm that the computer has sufficient memory to run your programs. See the software documentation for minimum memory
requirements. If necessary, install additional memory.
3. Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
4. Restart the computer.
5. Run the Dell Diagnostics. If any of the diagnostics tests fail, contact Dell.
If you experience other memory problems —
1. Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
2. Restart the computer.
3. If the problem still exists, remove all the memory modules and install one memory module in memory module connector 4.
4. Restart the computer.
The following message appears: Alert! Operating in Debug Mode. Please Populate Memory in Pairs for Normal Operation.
5. Press <F1> to boot to the operating system.
6. Run the Dell Diagnostics.
7. If the memory module passes, shut down the computer, remove the memory module, and repeat the process with the remaining
memory modules until a memory error occurs during start-up or diagnostic testing.
If the first memory module tested is defective, repeat the process with the remaining modules to ensure that the remaining modules
are not defective.
8. When the defective memory module is identified, contact Dell for a replacement.
NOTE: If necessary, the computer can operate in debug mode until new memory modules are installed.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the System Information Guide.
If you receive an error message for the microprocessor —
l If two microprocessors are installed, ensure that they are identical. If the microprocessors aren't identical, you may receive an error