1. Enter system setup and make sure the problem drive is configured correctly. Make any necessary changes, and reboot the system.
Is the drive operating properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Test the hard drive by using one of the following methods:
l Test the hard drive by using one of the following methods:
¡ For Windows XP and Windows 2000, run the chkdsk utility by clicking the Start button, selecting Run, and then typing cmd in the dialog box. At the
C: prompt, type chkdsk and press <Enter>.
This utility creates and displays a status report, and lists and corrects errors on the disk.
¡ For Windows NT, run the error-checking utility by double-clicking My Computer and selecting the hard drive that you want to check. Click the right
mouse button, select Properties, then click Tools, and select Check Now in the Error Checking section.
¡ For Windows 98 SE and Windows 98, run the ScanDisk utility by clicking the Start button, pointing to Run, typing scandskw in the dialog box,
selecting the type of test to run, and then clicking Start.
¡ For MS-DOS, type scandisk x: at an MS-DOS prompt, where x is the hard drive letter, and press <Enter>.
Is the drive operating properly?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3. Run the appropriate test group in the Dell Diagnostics:
l For an integrated drive electronics (IDE) hard drive, run the IDE Devices device group.
l For a small computer system interface (SCSI) hard drive, run the SCSI Devices device group.
Did any of the diagnostics tests fail?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Go to step 4.
Did any of the diagnostics tests indicate a faulty drive?
Yes. The hard drive may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to the next question.
Did any of the diagnostics tests indicate a faulty drive controller?
Yes. The system board may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to step 4.
4. Turn off the computer and peripherals, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait at least 5 seconds, and then remove the computer cover.
5. Make sure the DC power cables from the power supply are firmly connected to the connectors on each drive. Also verify that the interface cable for each
drive is firmly connected to the drive and to the system board.
6. Make sure the control panel cable is firmly connected to the system board. The control panel contains the hard drive activity indicator. To locate the
control panel system board connector, see "System Board Components."
7. Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Does the hard drive activity light blink during the boot routine?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. The system board may be faulty. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
Does the computer display a drive error message?
Yes. See "System Messages" for an explanation of the message. If you cannot correct the problem by performing the action described in the table, then
contact Dell for technical assistance.
No. Go to the next question.
Is this the primary hard drive that contains the operating system?
Yes. Go to the next question.
No. Contact Dell for technical assistance.
