• Ensure fans are operational.
• Ensure heat sinks are not obstructed.
• Ensure thermal material is in place.

• Checking a beep code involves inducing an error condition such as removing all of the memory.
• If the system beeps, the processor is performing basic functions and is likely not the source of the problem.
• If there are two processors in the system ensure 2nd processor is removed while testing for beep codes. If you do hear beep codes, swap the processor and test again.

  

• If the error remains, swap out the other memory module into the same slot
• If the error is gone, then it was the issue with the first memory module.
• If the error remains, it's likely the issue with the memory slot in the system board.
• Only replace the faulty memory module, unless specified otherwise on Dell's dispatch notes

• Run the hard drive self-test from ePSA.
• Running the hard drive self-test is 90% effective and takes less than 7 minutes regardless of the size of the hard drive.
• This will help in avoiding unnecessary replacement and repeat dispatch.

• Turn on the system and press <F2> key for entering into BIOS.
• Using the down arrow key navigate to hard drive field.
• If hard drive is not detected, shut down the system and reseat hard drive connector.
• If hard drive is detected, restart the system and run ePSA, (follow the steps A through E to run ePSA).

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• Clean the clogged parts by blowing air directly into the fan exhaust port (either by blowing with mouth or using compressed canned air).
• The air must be sent directly into the heat sink vents. This is always on the sides or back of the machine.
• Limit the duration of compressed air (short 2-3 second intervals) to avoid excessive spooling (RPM) of the fan
• If you cannot get compressed air into the exhaust port, place a vacuum hose on the intake port to extract the debris from the bottom of the system.

• Between CPU and heat sink, ensure thermal grease or a thermal pad is in place.
• Between the heat sink and the graphic processor unit (GPU) - Portables only, ensure colored pads are in place.
  
  

• If Built in Self-Test fails, remove connectors from Power Supply and other components then rerun test.
• If the LED glows, the attached connectors are shorted or the component attached to the connector is shorted.
• If the LED does not glow, the Power supply is defective.

• Unplug AC power cord from PSU, wait for 15 seconds for PSU BIST function to reset
•  Disconnect all the cables from PSU to system board and other components
• Plug in the AC power cord
• Read the LED status

• Green and Blue color indicates adapter is working fine.
• If LED is off, reseat the connectors on the power adapter and the system and swap power cord with known good power adapter if possible.

• Unplug adapter power cord from the wall outlet and from the system.
• Keep it ideal for about 2 minutes so it will reset.
• Reconnect adapter to the system and to the wall outlet.
• If the LED is not glowing, may be adapter is faulty and further troubleshooting

• Isolate the power adapter issue by removing internal connectors, power connectors, or the cable harness to identify whether any of these components are causing this issue.
• Continue troubleshooting by reconnecting devices one at a time to identify the failed component (like hard drive, optical disk drive, daughter boards etc.).

• If the technician can access BIOS before parts replacement, it is advisable to note down current setting in BIOS on a piece of paper PRIOR to replacement. (Highly Recommended).
• If the system is not functioning before System Board replacement and the technician cannot access the BIOS and  retrieve the settings from the Original System Board, perform the steps provided in to following pages.

• Verify the external power source or wall socket.
• Verify the intermediary or connecting devices such as extension cords or surge suppressors.
• Swap the power cord/adapter and video input cable

• Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
• Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove all video cables from the back of computer.
• Turn on the monitor. The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains blue. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialog boxes shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.
• This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
• Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

• Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
• Unplug the video cable(s) from the back of the computer or monitor. The monitor then goes into the self-test mode.
• Press and hold Button 3 and Button 6 on the front panel simultaneously for 2 seconds. A gray screen appears.
• Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
• Press Button 3 on the front panel again. The color of the screen changes to red.
• Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
• Repeat steps 5 and 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white and text screens.
• The test is complete when the text screen appears. To exit, press Button 3 again.

• ePSA Diagnostics
• Standalone LCD BIST
• Turn on the system.
  • At the Dell splash screen tap continuously on <F12> key until the one-time boot menu appears.
  • Using the down arrow key navigate to the Diagnostics option and press <Enter> key, to start ePSA.
  • At about 15 seconds after starting the ePSA user will hear a beep and a question will appear on the system screen, if colors are displayed properly. Press<N> key for No and fail ePSA to initiate LCD BIST. Flashing color patterns and loud beeps follow. This entire sequence takes less than 2 minutes, and the BIST portion itself lasts only a few seconds.
  • At the end of the test, a message appears: "Video – User reported the patterns were not displayed Continue testing?" This does not by itself mean the LCD failed; remember the BIST was deliberately activated by pressing N (No).
• If the color patterns do not appear, the beeps are very low or inaudible, or the video issue is clearly seen during the BIST (i.e., lines on screen), the LCD BIST fails and you can replace the LCD.
• If the beeps and flashing color patterns appear without any distortion, the LCD should be fine. Do not replace the LCD. Provided that software, settings, and other factors are ruled out, the root cause then could be the video card/motherboard.

• Standalone LCD BIST

• Hold down the "D" key and press the power button.
  • The system will immediately launch the LCD BIST.

• If the problem resolves on the external display, it is likely the LCD.
• If the problem persists on the external display, it is likely the video adapter.

  

• Diagnostic LEDs on the back of a desktop system, or the top/front of a portable system.
• Power LED on the front of a desktop or portable system is solid or flashing.
• Beep codes emanating from the system speaker
• Error messages displayed on the monitor

Source of Failure

• Diagnostic LEDs on the back of a desktop system, or the top/front of a portable system.
• Power LED on the front of a desktop or portable system is solid or flashing.
• Beep codes emanating from the system speaker
• Error messages displayed on the monitor

Point of Failure

• A display (often a CRT monitor or an LCD screen)
• Portable Display (LCD Panel, LCD cable, and LCD inverter)
• Power to the display
• Graphics adapter (also called a video card)
• Connection between the external display and the graphics adapter

• Brightness/Contrast
• Meaning of yellow and blinking monitor power LED
• Self-Test
• If customers have a second computer, they will usually have another working display that they are willing to swap with the problem computer.
• When customers do not have a known good display to swap, it can be difficult to determine if the problem is with the graphics adapter or the monitor.

• Use the User Guides to find the setting for the LCD display.
• Reseating the LCD cable is one of the major troubleshooting steps when you're getting a no video issue. Before you can reseat the LCD cable, you must remove the hinge cover.

• Many customers have a second computer. The other computer will usually have a working external display. Often customers are willing to attach this display to the portable.
• If an external monitor shows video, then it's possible that the LCD is causing the issue. If you get the same issue on both displays, then it's possible that the video card is causing the issue
• When customers do not have a known good display to attach externally, it can be difficult to determine if the problem is with the graphics adapter or the LCD.

• Service Tag
• Asset Tag
• Ownership Tag
• Admin Password
• System Password
• HDD Password
• Key Databases
• System Logs

• The Boot List
• Enable Legacy Option ROMs
• Secure Boot Enable
  • Allow BIOS Downgrade

• The system will power on with the Dell logo.
• Set the correct date and time.
• Update the latest BIOS.

BIOS Recovery 1

BR2 Process:

• System's primary hard drive
• External USB key.

• Notebook platform uses built-in keyboard only as trigger method
• Desktop, AIO and pAlO platform uses external keyboard (Bluetooth Keyboard only works if BIOS has POST support for platform specific Bluetooth Keyboard)
• Tablet platform uses buttons as trigger method
• Convertible and Detachable platform supports trigger from both external keyboard or buttons

• When no USB key is plugged into the system, BIOS Recovery will be attempted from the HDD
• If a USB key is inserted then by default, external USB key 's the first search location
• In the situation where images present 'n both external and primary HDD, the 'mage 'n the USB key will be executed

• The BR2 does not support recovery from :
  • Encrypted Hard Disk Drive
  • When Hard Disk Drive password 's set
• BR2 will attempt to search for the recovery image but eventually will fail as indicated by LED Codes

• Recovery from system's primary Hard Disk Drive option can be disabled by user in BIOS
• When this option is disabled, BIOS will not save a copy of recovery file into the hard drive when user flash the BIOS
• This setting is set to Enabled by default
• It is not possible to recovery BIOS from the Hard Drive if the Customer unchecked this option before failure occurred

• In order to successfully execute BIOS Recovery via HDD, the BIOS recovery file (BOS CUR.RCV) must be present on the ESP partition of the primary HDD.
• If Hard Disk Drive was replaced or formatted, the original ESP partition including the recovery file will be lost and BIOS recovery is no longer possible.
• To re-provision the HDD for BIOS Recovery, we must ensure that ESP partition is created before flashing the BIOS (even the same version).
• BIOS must be set to UEFlboot, and not Legacy boot.

• 

• Create the ESP Partition. The ESP partition can be created during OS installation. (Only for Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10) via GUID partition table

• Note: GUID partition table (CPT) is a partitioning scheme that is part of the UEFI Specification

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• 

• 

• Download the BIOS update executable for the specific system from Dell e-support website.
• When the BIOS update executable file is used to flash the BIOS, it will automatically create the recovery file (BIOS CUR.RCV) on ESP partition on the HDD
• The system IS now re-provision to support BIOS Recovery via HDD

• Note: Ensure that BIOS Recovery option is BIOS is enable

• Where to obtain BIOS recovery files:
  • For supported system with Dell BIOS (Business Client (BC) Platform), the files can be downloaded from Dell’s eSupport site
• Download the BIOS executable fie and rename the file name and type to BIOS_IMG.RCV
• Rollback BIOS option is not available when recovering using external USB Key

• Desktop & AIO
• Notebook
• Tablet
• Convertible and Detachable Platform

• Turn on the PC.
• Immediately hold down on "Ctrl-Esc" Key until the BIOS Recovery page appear.

• PS2 Keyboard
• USB Keyboard
• BT Keyboard (If BIOS has POST Support for Platform specific BT Keyboard)

• Hold down
• Plug in AC Adapter to notebook
• Release the “CTRL + Esc” key

• Hold down "Volume Down" Button
• Plug in AC Adapter to tablet
• Release the "Volume Down" Button

• Hold down "CTRL + Esc" key
• Plug in AC Adapter
• Release the "CTRL + Esc" key

• Hold down "Volume Down" Button
• Plug in AC Adapter
• Release the "Volume Down" Button