C–2 359782-002 Service Reference Guide, dx2000 uT
POST Error Messages
Primary Master/Slave 
Hard Disk Error
Primary Master/Slave 
hard drive could not be 
initialized by the BIOS.
Reseat the device data and power 
cables.
Replace the device data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
Secondary Master/
Slave Hard Disk Error
Secondary Master/Slave 
hard drive could not be 
initialized by the BIOS.
Reseat the device data and power 
cables.
Replace the device data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
Primary Master/Slave 
Drive — ATAPI 
Incompatible
Device configured as a 
Primary/ Master/Slave 
failed an ATAPI 
compatibility test.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
Secondary Master/
Slave Drive — ATAPI 
Incompatible
Device configured as a 
Secondary/ Master/
Slave failed an ATAPI 
compatibility test.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
S.M.A.R.T. Capable 
but Command Failed.
S.M.A.R.T. Command 
Failed
BIOS unable to send a 
S.M.A.R.T. message to 
the device.
Backup the data on the hard drive.
Replace the hard drive.
S.M.A.R.T. Status Bad, 
Backup and replace.
S.M.A.R.T. Capable 
and Status Bad. 
S.M.A.R.T. capable hard 
drive detects an imminent 
failure.
Backup the data on the hard drive, then 
replace the hard drive.
DMA-1 Error
DMA-2 Error
Error when initializing 
secondary DMA 
controller.
Reconnect the cables on the peripheral 
device.
Replace the data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
DMA Controller Error POST error while trying 
to initialize the DMA 
controller.
Reconnect the cables on the peripheral 
device.
Replace the data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
Checking 
NVRAM...Update 
Failed
BIOS could not write to 
the NVRAM block.
Change system board jumper on JP2 to 
pins 2-3 (Unlock), then flash the system 
BIOS. Reset the jumper to pins 1-2 
(Lock).
Replace the system board.
POST Error Messages 
Screen Message Probable Cause Recommended Action