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Checking the Equipment

Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2550 Systems Installation and Troubleshooting Guide

This section provides troubleshooting procedures for equipment that connects directly to the input/output (I/O) panel of the system, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or printer. Before you perform any of the procedures in the present section, see "Checking Connections and Switches" in "Checking the Basics." 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 the Monitor

Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following items is the source of the problem:

• Monitor and monitor interface cable
  
  
• Video memory
  
  
• Video logic of the system 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:

1. 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 2.

2. Run the video tests in the Dell™ Diagnostics.
   
   

Is the monitor displaying text properly?

Yes. Go to step 3.

No. If a video expansion card is installed in the system, see "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Checking Inside the System." If no video expansion card is installed, the integrated video controller is faulty; see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

3. 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 4.

4. Turn off the system and disconnect it from the electrical outlet.
   
   
5. Swap the monitor with one of the same type that is working, and reconnect the system to the electrical outlet.
   
   
6. 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 system, see "Troubleshooting Expansion Cards" in "Checking Inside the System." If no video expansion card is installed, the integrated video controller is faulty; see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

Troubleshooting the Keyboard

This procedure determines what kind of keyboard problem you may have. If a system error message indicates a keyboard problem when you start the system or while the Dell Diagnostics is running, perform the following steps:

1. 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.

2. Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard. To swap a faulty keyboard, unplug the keyboard cable from the system'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.

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.

4. Swap the faulty keyboard with a working keyboard.
   
   
5. 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.

Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions

This procedure determines whether the system'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:

1. Enter the System Setup program, and check the serial port, parallel port, and mouse settings.
   
   

Are the communications and mouse ports enabled?

Yes. Go to step 3.

No. Go to step 2.

2. Enable the communications and mouse ports; then reboot the system.
   
   

Is the problem resolved?

Yes. You have fixed the problem.

No. Go to step 3.

3. Check the contents of the start-up files. See "Installing and Configuring Software" in "Finding Software Solutions."
   
   

Are the port configuration commands correct?

Yes. Go to step 5.

No. Go to step 4.

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.

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.

6. 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.
   
   

Troubleshooting a Parallel Printer

If the procedure in "Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions" indicates that the problem is with a parallel printer, perform the following steps:

1. Turn off the parallel printer and system.
   
   
2. Swap the parallel printer interface cable with a known working cable.
   
   
3. Turn on the parallel printer and system.
   
   
4. 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.

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.

6. 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.

Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device

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:

1. Turn off the system and any peripheral devices connected to the serial ports.
   
   

Are two serial devices connected to the system?

Yes. Go to step 2.

No. Go to step 4.

2. Disconnect the devices from serial ports 1 and 2, and connect the malfunctioning serial device to the opposite port.
   
   
3. Turn on the system 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.

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.

5. Turn off the system and the serial device, and swap the device with a comparable working device.
   
   

For example, if you are troubleshooting a serial mouse, swap it with a serial mouse that you know is working properly.

6. Turn on the system 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.

Troubleshooting a USB Device

If a system error message indicates a problem with the Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports or a device connected to the port does not function properly, perform the following steps:

1. Enter the System Setup program, and check that the USB ports are enabled.
   
   
2. Turn off the system and any devices connected to the USB ports.
   
   

Are two USB devices connected to the system?

Yes. Go to step 3.

No. Go to step 5.

3. Disconnect the devices from both USB ports, and connect the malfunctioning device to the opposite port.
   
   
4. Turn on the system 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.

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.

6. Turn off the system and the USB device, and swap the device with a comparable working device.
   
   
7. Turn on the system 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.

Troubleshooting the Integrated NICs

If you encounter problems with one of the system's integrated network interface controllers (NICs), the following actions may help you to diagnose the problem:

• Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the NICs are enabled.
  
  

See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions.

• Check the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the corners of the NIC connectors on the system's back panel (see Figure 6-1).
  
  

Figure 6-1. NIC Connector

The green link indicator (the indicator on the left) lights if 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 indicator is not on, check all connections at the adapter and link partner.
  
  
• Try changing the auto-negotiation setting on the link partner, if possible.
  
  
• Try another port on the network switch.
  
  

• If the activity indicator does not light, the network driver files may be damaged or deleted. Reinstall the drivers.
  
  

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