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Checking the Equipment: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 6400 Systems Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide
This section provides troubleshooting procedures for equipment that connects directly
to the input/output (I/O) panel of the computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or
printer. Before you perform any of the procedures in this section, see "Checking Connections and Switches."
Then follow the troubleshooting procedures for the equipment that is malfunctioning.
You need the following items to perform the procedures in this section:
- The Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD
- A blank, formatted diskette
- The system documentation
 |
NOTE: When you see the question "Is the
problem resolved?" in a troubleshooting procedure, perform the operation that caused
the problem. |
Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following items is the
source of the problem:
- Monitor or monitor interface cable
- Video memory
- Video logic of the computer or a video expansion card
If information on the monitor screen is displayed incorrectly or not at all, perform
the following steps to solve the problem:
- Turn on the system, including any attached peripherals.
- Adjust the switches and controls including the horizontal and vertical position and
size, as specified in the monitor's documentation, to correct the video image.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 3.
- Run the video tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Is the monitor displaying text properly?
Yes. Go to step 4.
No. If a video expansion card is installed in the computer,
see "Troubleshooting Expansion
Cards." If no video expansion card is installed, the integrated video controller
is faulty; see "Getting Help" for instructions on
obtaining technical assistance.
- Run the video tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. You have fixed the problem, or the problem is
software-related. For information about installing video drivers, see "Using the Dell
OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in the User's Guide.
No. Go to step 5.
- Turn off the system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
Swap the monitor with one of the same type that is working, and reconnect the system to
the electrical outlet.
- Run the
video tests in the Dell Diagnostics again.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. The monitor must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. If a video expansion card is installed in the computer,
see "Troubleshooting Expansion
Cards." If no video expansion card is installed, the integrated video controller
is faulty; see "Getting Help" for instructions on
obtaining technical assistance.
This procedure determines what kind of keyboard problem you may have. If a system error
message indicates a keyboard problem when you start the computer system or while the Dell
Diagnostics is running, perform the following steps:
- Look at the keyboard and the keyboard cable for any signs of damage. Press and release
each key on the keyboard.
Do the keyboard and its cable appear to be free of physical damage, and do the keys
work?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
- Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
To swap a faulty keyboard, unplug the keyboard cable from the computer's back panel
and plug in a working keyboard.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The keyboard must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 3.
- Run the
keyboard test in the Dell
Diagnostics.
Can you use the keyboard to select the keyboard test?
Yes. Go to step 5.
No. Go to step 4.
- Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
- Did the
keyboard test run successfully?
Yes. The keyboard must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
No. The keyboard controller on the system board is faulty.
See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
This procedure determines whether the computer's basic I/O functions are operational.
If a system error message indicates an I/O port problem or the device connected to the
port does not function properly, perform the following steps:
- Enter the System Setup program, and check the
Serial
Port 1, Serial Port 2, and Parallel
Port settings.
Are the communications ports set to Enabled?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
Change the Serial Port 1, Serial Port 2, and Parallel
Port settings to Enabled; then reboot the system.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 3.
Check the contents of the start-up files (see "Installing and Configuring Software").
Are the port configuration commands correct?
Yes. Go to step 5.
No. Go to step 4.
Change the necessary statements in the start-up files.
If the port problem is confined to a particular application program, see the
application program's documentation for specific port configuration requirements.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. Go to step 5.
Reboot the system from the diagnostics diskette, and run the serial ports test and/or
the parallel ports test in the Dell Diagnostics.
Did the tests run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the problem persists, go to "Troubleshooting a
Parallel Printer" or "Troubleshooting a Serial
I/O Device," depending on which device appears
to be malfunctioning.
If the procedure in "Troubleshooting the Basic I/O
Functions" indicates that the problem is with a parallel printer, perform the
following steps:
- Turn off the parallel printer and computer.
- Swap the parallel printer interface cable with a known working cable.
- Turn on the parallel printer and computer.
- Attempt a print operation on the parallel printer.
Did the print operation run successfully?
Yes. The interface cable must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 5.
- Run the parallel printer's self-test.
Did the self-test run successfully?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. The printer is probably defective. If the printer was
purchased from Dell, see "Getting Help" for
instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Attempt another print operation on the parallel printer.
Did the print operation run successfully?
Yes. You have fixed the problem.
No. See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the procedure in "Troubleshooting the Basic I/O
Functions" indicates that the problem is with a device connected to one of the
serial ports, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the computer and any peripheral devices connected to the serial ports.
Are two serial devices connected to the computer?
Yes. Go to step 2.
No. Go to step 4.
- Disconnect the devices from serial ports 1 and 2, and connect the malfunctioning serial
device to the opposite port.
- Turn on the computer and the reconnected serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The serial port may be defective. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 4.
- Swap the interface cable that connects the device to the serial port with a known
working cable.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The interface cable must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 5.
- Turn off the computer and the serial device, and swap the device with a comparable
working device.
For example, if the serial mouse has a problem, swap it with a serial mouse that you
know is working properly.
- Turn on the computer and the serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The serial device must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If a system error message indicates a problem with the Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports
or the device connected to the port does not function properly, perform the following
steps:
- Enter the System Setup program, and check that the USB ports are enabled.
- Turn off the computer and any devices connected to the USB ports.
Are two USB devices connected to the computer?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 5.
- Disconnect the devices from USB ports 1 and 2, and connect the malfunctioning device to
the opposite port.
- Turn on the computer and the reconnected device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The USB port may be defective. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 5.
- If possible, swap the interface cable that connects the device to the USB port with a
known working cable.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The interface cable must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. Go to step 6.
- Turn off the computer and the USB device, and swap the device with a comparable working
device.
- Turn on the computer and the USB device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The USB device must be replaced. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical
assistance.
No. See "Getting Help"
for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If you encounter problems with the computer's integrated network interface controller
(NIC), the following actions may help you to diagnose the problem:
- Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the NIC is enabled.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for
instructions.
- Check the two light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the corners of the NIC connector on the
computer's back panel.
The green link LED (the LED closest to the serial and parallel ports) indicates that the
adapter is connected to a valid link partner. The amber activity indicator lights if
network data is being sent or received.
- If the LINK light is not on, check all cable connections at the adapter and link
partner.
- Try changing the auto-negotiation setting on the link partner, if possible.
- Try another port on the switch.
- If the activity indicator does not light, the network driver files may be damaged or
deleted.
Reinstall the drivers.
- Make sure the appropriate drivers are installed and the protocols are bound.
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