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Dell PowerEdge 6650 Systems
Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide
If your system is not working as expected, begin troubleshooting using the procedures in this section. This section guides you through some initial checks and procedures that can solve basic system problems and provides troubleshooting procedures for components inside the system. Before you start any of the procedures in this section, take the following steps:
- Read the "Safety Instructions" in your System Information document.
- Read "Running System Diagnostics" for information about running diagnostics.
- Get the key to the system keylock and the system back cover.
The procedures in this guide require that you remove the cover and work inside the system. While working inside the system, do not attempt to service the system except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in your system documentation. Always follow the instructions closely. Ensure that you review all of the procedures in "Safety Instructions" in your System Information document.
Working inside the system is safeif you observe the following precautions.
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CAUTION: The power supplies in this system produce high voltages and energy
hazards, which can cause bodily harm. Only trained service technicians are
authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside
the system.
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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your
System Information document before performing any procedure which requires you to open the
cover.
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Before you perform any of the procedures, ensure that the following components are securely and properly installed:
- Power cables
- Cables to external devices, such as monitor, mouse, keyboard, and so on
- Microprocessor tray
- I/O tray
Improperly set switches, controls, and loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the system, monitor, or other peripherals (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external equipment). A quick check of all the switches, controls, and cable connections can easily solve these problems. See Figure 2-3 for the back-panel features and connectors.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals. Disconnect all the power
cables from their electrical outlets.
- If the system is connected to a PDU, turn the PDU off and then on again.
If it is not receiving power, plug it into another electrical outlet. If it still is not receiving power, try another PDU.
- Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet or PDU.
- Is the monitor working properly?
See "Troubleshooting the Video Subsystem."
- Is the keyboard working properly?
See "Troubleshooting the Keyboard."
- Are the mouse and printer working properly?
See "Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions."
Looking at and listening to the system is important in determining the source of a problem. Look and listen during the system's start-up routine for the indication described in Table 5-1.
The illustrations in this document are based on the positioning of the system as shown in Figure 5-1.
Figure 5-1. System Orientation
The bezel has status and attention indicators. Removing the bezel provides access to the power switch, diskette drive, CD drive, and hard drive(s). You must remove the system covers to gain access to internal components.
To remove the bezel, pull the bezel away from the system (see Figure 5-2).
Figure 5-2. Removing the Bezel
- Align the bezel retaining clips with the retaining pins on the front of the system.
- Press the bezel to the system until it snaps into place.
To upgrade or troubleshoot the system, remove the system covers to gain access to internal components.
- Using the system key, unlock the back cover.
- Observe the precautions in "Safety FirstFor You and Your System."
- Loosen the thumbscrew that secures the back cover to the chassis (see Figure 5-3).
- Slide the back cover backward and grasp the cover at both ends.
- Carefully lift the cover away from the system.
Figure 5-3. Removing the Covers
- Ensure that no tools or parts are left inside the system and that any cables are routed
so that they will not be damaged by the cover.
- Align the cover with the cover alignment notches on the sides of the chassis, and slide
the cover forward (see Figure 5-3).
- Tighten the thumbscrew that secures the cover to the chassis.
- Using the system key, lock the back cover.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Slide the front cover backward and grasp the cover at both ends (see Figure 5-3).
- Carefully lift the cover away from the system.
- Ensure that no tools or parts are left inside the system and that any cables are routed
so that they will not be damaged by the cover.
- Align the cover with the cover alignment notches on the sides of the chassis, and slide
the cover forward (see Figure 5-3).
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
This section provides troubleshooting procedures for equipment that connects directly to the I/O riser card, such as the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Before you perform any of the procedures, see "External Connections."
- Monitor
- Monitor interface cable
- Video memory
- Video logic
- Check the system and power connections to the monitor.
- Determine whether the system has a remote access card and an add-in video
expansion card installed.
The system supports only the embedded video when using a remote access card.
If an add-in video expansion card is not installed, go to step 3.
If an add-in video expansion card is installed, remove the video card (see "Removing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options"). If the problem is not resolved, continue to step 3.
- Run the video tests in system diagnostics.
If the tests run successfully, the problem is not related to video hardware. Go to "Finding Software Solutions."
If the tests did not run successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- System error message indicates a keyboard problem
- Look at the keyboard and the keyboard cable for any signs of damage.
If the keyboard and its cable appear to be free of physical damage, and the keys work, go to step 3.
If the keyboard or its cable are damaged, continue to step 2.
- Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
If the problem is resolved, the keyboard must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- Run the keyboard test in system diagnostics.
If you cannot use the keyboard to select the keyboard test, continue to step 4.
If the test did not run successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
If the problem is resolved, the faulty keyboard must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, the keyboard controller on the I/O riser card is faulty (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- System error message indicates a mouse problem
- Look at the mouse and the mouse cable for any signs of damage.
- Click each button on the mouse.
If the mouse and its cable appear to be free of physical damage, and the buttons work, go to step 4.
If the mouse or its cable are damaged, continue to step 3.
- Swap the faulty mouse with a working mouse.
If the problem is resolved, the mouse must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- Run the pointing devices test in system diagnostics.
If the problem is resolved, the faulty mouse must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, the controller on the I/O riser card is faulty (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- System error message indicates an I/O port problem
- Device connected to the port is not working
- Enter the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's
Guide for instructions) and check the Serial Port 1 setting.
If the communications port is set to Off, go to step 3.
If the communications port is not set to Off, continue to step 2.
- Change the Serial Port 1 setting to Auto; then reboot the system.
- Check the settings in the System Setup program.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. If the settings are correct, go to step 5.
- Change the necessary settings in the System Setup program. If the port problem is
confined to a particular application program, see the application program's
documentation for specific port configuration requirements.
- Reboot the system from the diagnostics diskette, and run the serial port test in the
system diagnostics.
If the test did not run successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the test runs successfully but the problem persists, see "Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device."
- Device connected to the port is not working
- Turn off the system and any peripheral devices connected to the serial port.
- Swap the interface cable with a known working cable.
If the problem is resolved, the interface cable must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- Turn off power to the system and the serial device, and swap the device with a
comparable device.
- Turn on the system and the serial device.
If the problem is resolved, the serial device must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- System error message indicates problem
- Device connected to the port is not working
- Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the USB ports are enabled (see
"Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions).
- Turn off the system and any USB devices.
If there is only one USB device connected to the system, go to step 5.
- Disconnect all USB devices, and connect the malfunctioning device to the other port.
- Turn on the system and the reconnected device.
If the problem is resolved, the USB port may be defective (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- If possible, swap the interface cable with a known working cable.
If the problem is resolved, the interface cable must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
- Turn off the system and the USB device, and swap the device with a comparable
device.
- Turn on the system and the USB device.
If the problem is resolved, the USB device must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- A NIC cannot communicate with the network
- Check the appropriate indicator on the NIC connector (see Figure 2-6).
A green indicator shows that the adapter is connected to a valid link partner. A blinking amber indicator shows that network data is being sent or received.
- If the link indicator is not on, check all cable connections.
- Try changing the auto-negotiation setting, if possible.
- Try another port on the switch or hub.
If you are using a NIC expansion card instead of the integrated NICs, see the documentation for the NIC card.
- If the indicator does not light, the network driver files might be damaged or deleted.
Check the drivers, and remove and reinstall the drivers if applicable.
You must reboot your system for the reinstalled drivers to become active.
- Ensure that the appropriate drivers are installed and the protocols are bound.
- Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the NICs are enabled (see "Using
the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide).
- Ensure that the NICs, hubs, and switches on the network are all set to the same data
transmission speed.
- Ensure that all network cables are of the proper type and do not exceed the specified
length. For more information, see "Network Cable Requirements" in the User's Guide.
In Figure 5-4, the covers and bezel are removed to provide an interior view of the system.
Figure 5-4. Inside the System
The I/O board can accommodate up to eight PCI expansion cards (seven PCI or PCI-X cards at 32- or 64-bit/33-100 MHz and one PCI card at 32-bit/33 MHz). The system memory is contained on two separate riser cards that must be populated with at least two memory modules each for the system to operate. The system provides space for a 3.5-inch diskette drive and a CD drive.
The PDB provides hot-plug logic, and power distribution for the system. The hot-pluggable power supplies that connect to the PDB provide power to the system and internal peripherals. Each hot-pluggable power supply has its own AC power input to provide AC power redundancy.
The hard-drive bays provide space for up to five 1-inch SCSI hard drives. The hard drives connect to a SCSI or RAID controller through the SCSI backplane board. Interface cables connect externally accessible SCSI devices and the SCSI backplane board to a SCSI controller on either the I/O riser card or a RAID controller card. For non-SCSI drives such as the diskette drive and CD drive, an interface cable connects the interposer board, attached to the CD/diskette drive tray, to the peripheral riser card (for more information, see "Installing Drives").
During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a jumper. For information on the system jumpers, see "Jumpers and Connectors."
The optional systems management applications monitor critical system voltages and temperatures, the system cooling fans, and the status of the SCSI hard drives in the system. Alert messages appear in the alert log window. For information about the alert log window and options, see your systems management software documentation.
- Liquid spills
- Splashes
- Excessive humidity
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from the electrical outlet.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Remove the front cover (see "Removing the Front Cover").
- Remove all expansion cards installed in the system (see "Removing an Expansion
Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Let the system dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
- Replace the front cover (see "Replacing the Front Cover").
- Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
If the system does not start up properly, see "Getting Help," for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- If the system starts up normally, shut down the system and reinstall all expansion cards
you removed in step 4 (see "Installing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System
Options").
- Run the system board tests in system diagnostics to confirm that the system is working
properly.
If the tests did not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- System dropped or damaged
- Ensure that all cables are properly connected.
- Ensure that all components are properly installed and are free from damage.
- Run the system board tests in system diagnostics.
If the tests did not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Error message shows a problem with the battery
- System Setup program loses system configuration information
- System date and time do not stay current
The system battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when you turn off the system. The operating life of the battery ranges from 2 to 5 years, depending on how you use the system (for example, if you keep the system on most of the time, the battery gets little use and thus lasts longer). You may need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot routine.
You can operate the system without a battery; however, the system configuration information maintained by the battery in NVRAM is erased each time you remove power from the system. Therefore, you must re-enter the system configuration information and reset the options each time the system boots until you replace the battery.
- Re-enter the time and date through the System Setup program (see "Using the System
Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions).
- Turn off and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet for at least one hour.
- Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn the system on again.
- Enter the System Setup program.
If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace the battery (see "System Battery" in "Installing System Options").
If the problem is not resolved by replacing the battery, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
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NOTE: Some software may cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the
system seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the System Setup
program, the problem may be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.
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NOTE: If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the
NVRAM may lose its system configuration information. This situation is not caused by
a defective battery.
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- System-status indicators are amber
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with power supply
- Power supply fault indicator signifies a problem
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Locate the faulty power supply.
The power supply's fault indicator is lit (see Figure 2-5).
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NOTICE: The power supplies are hot-pluggable. The system requires one power supply to be
installed for the system to operate normally. The system is in the redundant mode when two
power supplies are installed. Remove and replace only one power supply at a time in a system
that is powered-on.
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- Remove the faulty power supply (see "Removing a Power Supply" in "Installing System
Options").
- Install the new power supply (see "Replacing a Power Supply" in "Installing System
Options").
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NOTE: After installing a new power supply, allow several seconds for the system to
recognize the power supply and determine whether it is working properly. The power-on
indicator will turn green to signify that the power supply is functioning properly (see
Figure 2-5).
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- If the problem is not resolved, install a new power supply (see "Replacing a Power
Supply" in "Installing System Options").
- If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help," for information on obtaining
technical assistance.
Cooling of the entire system as well as individual components can be affected by the following conditions:
- Ambient temperature surrounding the system is too high
- Airflow intake and output is obstructed
- Cables inside the system obstruct cooling fan intake or output
- Systems management software issues a fan-related error message
- An individual cooling fan has failed (see "Troubleshooting a Cooling Fan")
- Expansion-card filler brackets are not installed over empty expansion slots
- A heat sink is not installed for each microprocessor
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NOTICE: If a microprocessor socket does not have a microprocessor installed, a heat sink
blank must be installed for that socket.
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- System-status indicators are amber
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with cooling
- Fan status indicator signifies a problem with the fan
- Systems management software issues a fan-related error message
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Locate the faulty fan.
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NOTE: Each individual fan has a status indicator. If the fan is operating normally, the
indicator is green. If the fan is malfunctioning, the indicator is blinking amber.
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NOTICE: The cooling fans are hot-pluggable. To maintain proper cooling while the system is
on, replace only one fan at a time.
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- Remove the faulty fan (see "Removing a Cooling Fan" in "Installing System Options").
- Reseat the fan in its compartment and ensure that the fan connector is firmly seated.
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NOTE: After installing a new fan, allow up to 30 seconds for the system to recognize the
fan and determine whether it is working properly. The status indicator will turn green to
signify that the fan is functioning properly (see Figure 6-1).
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- If the problem is not resolved, install a new fan (see "Replacing a Cooling Fan" in
"Installing System Options").
- If the replacement fan does not operate, the fan connector is faulty (see "Getting
Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance).
- Error message indicating a microprocessor problem
- Error message indicating a microprocessor board problem
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with microprocessors, VRMs, or the microprocessor board
- A heat sink is not installed for each microprocessor
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NOTICE: If a microprocessor socket does not have a microprocessor installed, a heat sink
blank must be installed for that socket.
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- Observe the precautions in "Safety FirstFor You and Your System."
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your
System Information document.
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- Remove the microprocessor tray (see "Removing the Microprocessor Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Ensure that VRMs are properly installed for each microprocessor (see "Installing a
Microprocessor VRM" in "Installing System Options").
- Replace the microprocessor tray (see "Replacing the Microprocessor Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
- Run Quick Tests in the system diagnostics.
If the problem persists, continue to step 8.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the microprocessor tray (see "Removing the Microprocessor Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Remove all the microprocessors and VRMs except CPU1 and VRM1 (see "Adding or
Replacing a Microprocessor" in "Installing System Options"). To locate CPU1 and
VRM1, see Figure A-4.
If there is only one microprocessor installed, see "Getting Help."
- Replace the microprocessor tray (see "Replacing the Microprocessor Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
- Run Quick Tests in the system diagnostics.
If the tests complete successfully, continue to step 14.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the microprocessor tray (see "Removing the Microprocessor Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Reinstall one of the microprocessors and VRMs you removed in step 10 (see "Adding
or Replacing a Microprocessor" in "Installing System Options").
- Repeat steps 11 through 16 for each microprocessor and VRM you removed in step 10.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
- Error message indicating an I/O riser card problem (mouse, keyboard, serial port, parallel port, NIC, video, SCSI, USB, BIOS, or BMC problem)
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with the I/O riser card
- Observe the precautions in "Safety FirstFor You and Your System."
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its power source.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Disconnect all cables from the I/O riser card.
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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your
System Information document.
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- Reseat the I/O riser card (see Figure 6-4).
- Reconnect all cables to the I/O riser card.
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
- Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
- Perform the I/O devices tests in the system diagnostics.
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
- Error message indicating an I/O board problem (expansion card problem)
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with the I/O board
- Observe the precautions in "Safety FirstFor You and Your System."
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its power source.
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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your
System Information document.
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- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Ensure that the I/O tray is properly installed (see "Replacing the I/O Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Remove all the expansion cards except the SCSI host-adapter card for the boot drive,
if present (see "Removing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
- Reconnect the system to its power source, and power on the system.
- Perform the PCI devices tests in the system diagnostics.
If the tests complete successfully, reinstall one of the expansion cards you removed in step 5 (see "Installing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options").
If the problem persists, see "Getting Help."
- Repeat step 8 for each expansion card you removed in step 5.
If any of the expansion cards fail a test, replace that card.
- Error message indicates an expansion-card problem
- Expansion card seems to perform incorrectly or not at all
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with expansion cards or the I/O board
- Expansion-card filler brackets are not installed over empty expansion slots
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NOTICE: When troubleshooting an expansion card, see the documentation for your operating
system and the expansion card.
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- Observe the precautions in "Safety FirstFor You and Your System."
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Ensure that the I/O tray is properly installed (see "Replacing the I/O Tray" in
"Installing System Options").
- Press the notify button for to each expansion card and wait until the status indicator
turns off.
- Verify that each expansion card is firmly seated in its connector.
- Verify that any appropriate cables are firmly connected to their corresponding
connectors on the expansion cards.
- Press the notify button for each expansion card and wait until the status indicator
turns green.
- Run Quick Tests in the system diagnostics.
If the problem persists, go to step 9.
- Press the notify button for to each expansion card and wait until the status indicator
turns off.
- Remove all expansion cards installed in the system.
- Run Quick Tests in the system diagnostics.
If the tests do not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance.
- Reinstall one of the expansion cards you removed in step 10, press the switch next to
the expansion card, and wait until the status indicator turns green.
- Repeat steps 11 and 12 for each of the remaining expansion cards.
If you have reinstalled all of the expansion cards and the Quick Tests are still failing, see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance.
- Faulty memory module
- Faulty memory riser card
- Faulty microprocessor board
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with system memory
- Turn on the system, including any attached peripherals.
If there are no error messages, go to step 16.
- Enter the System Setup program to check the system memory setting (see "Using the
System Setup Program," in the User's Guide for instructions).
- If the amount of memory matches the system memory setting, go to step 16.
Otherwise, continue to step 4.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
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NOTICE: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety instructions in your
System Information document.
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- Remove the memory riser cards (see "Removing a Memory Riser Card" in "Installing
System Options").
- Ensure that the memory banks are populated sequentially (see "Memory Module
Installation Guidelines" in "Installing System Options").
If memory modules are not installed sequentially, install the memory modules so that there are no empty memory banks between the first and last populated banks. Go to step 8.
If memory modules are installed sequentially, continue to step 7.
- Reseat the memory modules in their sockets (see "Installing Memory Modules" in
"Installing System Options").
- Replace the memory riser cards (see "Removing a Memory Riser Card" in "Installing
System Options").
- Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
- Enter the System Setup program and check the system memory again.
If the amount of memory installed does not match the system memory setting, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the
system from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the memory riser cards (see "Removing a Memory Riser Card" in
"Installing System Options").
- Swap the memory module pair in bank 1 (sockets A and B) of both memory riser cards
with another pair of the same capacity.
- Replace the memory riser cards (see "Removing a Memory Riser Card" in "Installing
System Options").
- Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
- As the system boots, observe the monitor screen and the indicators on the keyboard.
- If the problem still exists, perform the following steps:
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the
system from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the memory riser cards (see "Removing a Memory Riser Card" in
"Installing System Options").
- Repeat steps 11 through 14 for each memory module pair installed on each riser
card.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help."
- Run the system memory test in system diagnostics.
If the test does not complete successfully, see "Getting Help."
- Error message indicates a diskette drive problem
- Enter the System Setup program and verify that the system is configured correctly (see
"Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide).
- Remove the bezel (see "Removing the Bezel").
- Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
If the tests failed, continue to step 4.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Ensure that the CD/diskette drive assembly is properly installed (see "Removing the
CD/Diskette Drive Tray" in "Installing Drives").
- Connect the system to its electrical outlet and turn on the system, including any
attached peripherals.
- Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel").
- Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
If the tests failed, continue to step 9.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Remove the front cover (see "Removing the Front Cover").
- Ensure that the CD/diskette drive interface cable is securely connected between the
interposer board on the CD/diskette drive assembly and the peripheral riser card.
- Ensure that the peripheral riser card is properly installed (see "Replacing the Peripheral
Riser Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Replace the front cover (see "Replacing the Front Cover").
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
- Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
- Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
- If the drive still does not work, remove all expansion cards (see "Removing an
Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
If the test ran successfully, an expansion card may be conflicting with the diskette drive logic, or you may have a faulty expansion card. Continue to step 20.
If the test failed, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Reinstall one of the expansion cards you removed in step 18 (see "Installing an
Expansion Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
- Repeat steps 20 and 21 until all expansion cards have been reinstalled or until one of
the expansion cards prevents the system from booting from the diagnostics diskette.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- System cannot read data from a CD
- CD drive indicator fails to blink during boot
- Enter the System Setup program to ensure that the IDE device is enabled (see "Using
the System Setup Program," in the User's Guide).
- Run the IDE devices tests in the system diagnostics to determine whether the CD
drive works correctly.
If the tests failed, continue to step 3.
- Remove the bezel (see "Removing the Bezel").
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Ensure that the CD/diskette drive assembly is properly installed (see "Removing the
CD/Diskette Drive Tray" in "Installing Drives").
- Connect the system to an electrical outlet and turn on the system, including any
attached peripherals.
- Replace the bezel (see "Replacing the Bezel").
If the problem persists, continue to step 8.
- Run the IDE devices tests in the system diagnostics to determine whether the CD
drive works correctly.
If the tests failed, continue to step 9.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Remove the front cover (see "Removing the Front Cover").
- Ensure that the CD/diskette drive interface cable is securely connected between the
interposer board on the CD/diskette drive assembly and the peripheral riser card.
- Ensure that the peripheral riser card is properly installed (see "Replacing the Peripheral
Riser Card" in "Installing System Options").
- Replace the front cover (see "Replacing the Front Cover").
- Replace the back cover (see "Replacing the Back Cover").
- Connect the system to its electrical outlet and turn on the system, including any
attached peripherals.
- Run the IDE devices tests in the system diagnostics to determine whether the CD
drive works correctly.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Defective tape drive
- Defective tape cartridge
- Software or device driver
- Defective SCSI host adapter
- Remove the tape that was in use when the problem occurred and replace it with a tape
that you know is not defective.
- Verify that any required SCSI device drivers are installed on the hard drive and are
configured correctly.
For instructions on installing and configuring device drivers for the system's integrated SCSI host adapter, see "Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD" in the User's Guide.
- Reinstall the tape-backup software as instructed in the tape-backup software
documentation.
- Check the cable connections to the drive.
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the
system from its electrical outlet.
- Check the SCSI cable connection from the tape drive to the external SCSI
connector on the back panel.
- Check the SCSI cable connection from the external SCSI connector on the back
panel to the I/O riser card.
- Check the AC power cable connection to the tape drive.
- Verify that the tape drive is configured for a unique SCSI ID number and that the tape
drive is terminated or not terminated as appropriate.
- See the documentation for the tape drive for instructions on selecting the SCSI ID
and enabling or disabling termination.
- Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn on the system.
- If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining
technical assistance.
- Faulty hard drive
- Faulty SCSI backplane board
- Faulty or loose SCSI cable connections
- Front-panel status LCD indicating a problem with hard drives
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NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you
proceed, back up all the files on the hard drive.
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- Reboot your system and enter the SCSI configuration utility by pressing
<Ctrl><h>, <Ctrl><a>, or <Ctrl><m>, depending on your SCSI or RAID
controller.
- Ensure that the primary SCSI channel is enabled, and reboot the system.
See the documentation supplied with the controller for information on the configuration utility.
- Verify that the device drivers are installed and configured correctly. See the operating
system's documentation.
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NOTE: If a drive shows signs of imminent failure, the status indicator blinks green, then
amber, and then off, repeating this sequence every two seconds. If a drive has failed, the
status indicator blinks amber four times per second.
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- Remove the hard drive and install it in another drive bay.
- If the problem is resolved, reinstall the hard drive in the original bay.
If the hard drive functions properly in the original bay, the drive carrier could have intermittent problems. Ensure that the drive is properly mounted on the drive carrier (see "Installing a SCSI Hard Drive" in "Installing Drives").
If the drive carrier still does not function properly in the original bay, the SCSI backplane board has a defective connector. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
- Check the SCSI cable connections inside the system:
- Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the
system from its electrical outlet.
- Remove the back cover (see "Removing the Back Cover").
- Remove the front cover (see "Removing the Front Cover").
- Check the SCSI cable connection to the RAID controller card (see the RAID
controller's documentation for detailed information).
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NOTE: To operate the SCSI backplane in a 1 x 5 configuration, ensure that a SCSI cable
is connected only to the PRIMARY connector on the SCSI backplane (see Figure A-5). To
operate the SCSI backplane in a 2/3 split configuration, ensure that both SCSI cables are
connected.
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- Partition and logically format the hard drive. If possible, restore the files to the drive.
To partition and logically format the drive, see the operating system documentation.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Your system may contain an optional RAID controller card. If you encounter problems with the controller, see the RAID controller's documentation for detailed information on troubleshooting.
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