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the display remains
blank, part of your
computer is probably
not receiving power.
See also "No Power at
All."
3. Turn on the computer. Is the display on?
Allow 1 minute for the computer to initialize its components before
checking for signs of power.
Yes. The entire computer is receiving power; the problem is resolved.
No. Adjust the brightness
of the display. If the display still does not show
an image, call Dell
for technical assistance.
Diskette Drive
Problems
During the
power-on self-
test (POST), the
computer checks the
diskette drive,
comparing its
characteristics with the
system configuration
information. (The
diskette-drive access
light blinks as the
computer performs
this check on a
diskette drive.)
Basic Checks:
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound when a drive is accessed,
make sure the sound is not caused by the application program that is running.
The sound could be caused by a hardware malfunction. See "Getting Help
" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance from Dell.
When you turn on the computer, you can hear diskette or hard-disk drive activity
during the boot routine. If your computer does not boot, call Dell for technical
assistance. (See "Getting Help
" for instructions.) Otherwise, see the "Dell
Diagnostics."
Test this indicator by inserting a diskette into the drive, typing dir a: at an MS-
DOS prompt, and pressing <Enter>.
Ensure that the diskette is not write-protected if you are trying to copy data to it.
Run the Diskette tests as described in "Dell Diagnostics."
Try a different diskette in the drive. If the new diskette works, the original one
may be defective.
Check the settings on the Page One submenu of the system setup program.
Clean the drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You may
accidentally misalign the heads, rendering the drive inoperable.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics
Checklist as you perform the following steps:
1. Save and close any open files, exit any open application programs, and shut
down the computer.
2. Remove the diskette drive from the modular bay
.
3. Reinstall the diskette drive.
4. Reboot the computer. Does the diskette-drive access light blink during the boot
routine?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. Go to step 5.
5. Remove and reinsert the diskette drive (or disconnect and reconnect the drive if
used externally
). Reboot the computer. Does the diskette-drive access light
appear during the boot routine?
Yes. Go to step 6.