Power LED light status Possible cause Troubleshooting steps
connected to the 
system board.
• Ensure the main 
power cable and 
front panel cable are 
connected to the 
system board.
Steady white The computer is fully 
functional and in the On 
state.
If the computer is not 
responding, do the 
following:
• Ensure the display is 
connected and 
turned on.
• If the display is 
connected and 
turned on, listen for a 
beep code.
Diagnostic error messages
Table 2. Diagnostic error messages
Error messages Description
AUXILIARY DEVICE FAILURE 
The touchpad or external mouse may be faulty. For 
an external mouse, check the cable connection. 
Enable the Pointing Device option in the System 
Setup program.
BAD COMMAND OR FILE NAME 
Ensure that you have spelled the command 
correctly, put spaces in the proper place, and used 
the correct path name.
CACHE DISABLED DUE TO FAILURE 
The primary cache internal to the microprocessor 
has failed. Contact Dell.
CD DRIVE CONTROLLER FAILURE 
The optical drive does not respond to commands 
from the computer.
DATA ERROR
The hard drive cannot read the data.
DECREASING AVAILABLE MEMORY 
One or more memory modules may be faulty or 
improperly seated. Reinstall the memory modules 
or, if necessary, replace them.
DISK C: FAILED INITIALIZATION 
The hard drive failed initialization. Run the hard 
drive tests in Dell Diagnostics.
DRIVE NOT READY
The operation requires a hard drive in the bay 
before it can continue. Install a hard drive in the 
hard drive bay.
ERROR READING PCMCIA CARD 
The computer cannot identify the ExpressCard. 
Reinsert the card or try another card.
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