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Diagnostic Light Codes During POST
The power light displays a solid green for diagnostic light codes during POST.
(blinking)
amber
A possible failure has been detected in a
plug-in component such as a graphics riser
card or memory riser card.
Verify that any required power cables are connected to the memory and graphics
riser cards.
Perform the procedure in Power Problems.
(blinking)
amber
A possible power supply failure has
occurred.
Verify that both power supply cables are plugged in to the motherboard.
Light Pattern
Problem Description
Suggested Resolution
A possible processor failure has occurred.
Reinstall the processor and restart the computer (see Processor).
A possible expansion card failure has
occurred.
1. Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not the graphics card) and then
restarting the computer. See Cards.
2. If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card,
and then restart the computer.
3. Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last
card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see Software and Hardware
Incompatibilities).
4. If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
A possible graphics card failure has
occurred.
1. If the computer has a graphics card, remove the card, reinstall it, and then restart the
computer. See Cards.
2. If the problem still exists, install a graphics card that you know works and restart the
computer.
3. If the problem persists or the computer has integrated graphics, contact Dell (see
Contacting Dell).
A possible floppy or hard drive failure has
occurred.
Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
A possible USB failure has occurred.
Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
No memory modules are detected.
1. Reseat the memory modules to ensure that your computer is successfully
communicating with the memory (see 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 DIMM_1.
4. Restart the computer.
A message appears stating that because your memory is not paired, the system will
operate with reduced performance and reduced error-correction capability
5. Press <F1> to boot to the operating system.
6. Run the Dell Diagnostics. See Dell Diagnostics.
7. If the memory module passes, shut down the computer (see Turning Off Your
Computer), remove the memory module, and then 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 (see
Contacting Dell).
No memory modules are detected.
l If you have one memory module installed, reinstall it and restart the computer see
Memory).
l If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one
module, and then restart the computer (see Memory). If the computer starts normally,
reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or
reinstalled all modules without error.
l If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer see
Memory).
l If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
System board failure has occurred.
Contact Dell for technical assistance (see Contacting Dell).
Memory modules are detected, but a
memory configuration or compatibility
error exists.
l Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist
(see Memory).
l Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your
computer (see Memory).
l Reinstall the memory modules and restart the computer (see Memory).