However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer emits a series of LED codes during the start-up. The system LED is integrated on 
the Power button.
The following table shows dierent light patterns and what they indicate.
Table 2. Diagnostics
Number of LED ashes Problem description
2 amber, 1 Amber Motherboard failure
2 Amber, 2 Amber Motherboard, PSU or PSU Cabling failure
2 Amber, 3 Amber Motherboard, memory or CPU failure
2 Amber, 4 Amber CMOS battery failure
Diagnostic error messages
Table 3. 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.
EXTENDED MEMORY SIZE HAS CHANGED 
The amount of memory recorded in non-volatile memory (NVRAM) 
does not match the memory module installed in the computer. 
Restart the computer. If the error appears again, Contact Dell
THE FILE BEING COPIED IS TOO LARGE FOR THE 
DESTINATION DRIVE
The le that you are trying to copy is too large to t on the disk, or 
the disk is full. Try copying the le to a dierent disk or use a larger 
capacity disk.
A FILENAME CANNOT CONTAIN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING 
CHARACTERS: \ / : * ? " < > | - 
Do not use these characters in lenames.
GATE A20 FAILURE 
A memory module may be loose. Reinstall the memory module or, if 
necessary, replace it.
Troubleshooting 65