How to Use and Troubleshoot the Vostro 270s

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Table of Contents:

1. The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video
2. Fan and Thermal Problems
3. Vostro 270s Specifications
4. System Board Component Locations
5. Main I/O Board Component Locations
6. How to Open the Chassis
7. How to Remove and Reinsert the Components
8. Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting

The Computer Fails to Start or There is No Video

If you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning), but the computer does not show any image, listen for a series of beeps during start-up.

• When beeping codes are heard, see (Table 1) to help troubleshoot the issue with your computer.
   

  Repetitive Beep Codes
  1	Possible motherboard failure - BIOS ROM checksum failure.
  2	No RAM detected. NOTE: If you installed or replaced the memory module, ensure that the memory module is seated properly.
  3	Possible motherboard failure - Chipset error.
  4	RAM read/write failure.
  5	Real-Time Clock failure.
  6	Video card or chip failure.
  7	Processor failure.

  Table 1: Repetitive Beep Codes
   

• When no beeping codes are heard, perform the following steps:
  1. Disconnect all devices except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor (for desktop computers). Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, cards so forth
  2. Drain MB power about one minute (until MB lights turn off, which can take from 20 seconds up to one minute).
  3. Ensure that the monitor is receiving power and that it plugged into the correct port on the video card. For SLI computers, the correct DVI port to be used would be the one on the primary (upper) video card, the one to the left looking from the back of the computer. This port can also be used for single card configurations.
  4. Remove all the memory sticks (found next to the CPU) and attempt to POST the computer using one memory stick at a time on Slot 1. Reinsert all memory sticks, and ensure that their connection to the motherboard is optimal. If after doing this the problem reappears, then you may have a defective memory slot on the motherboard.
     Note: For written information about how to open the side panel and to access the memory modules, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. Click to view the Owner's Manual. For information about opening the left side-panel see the Left Side-Panel section. For the memory modules, locate the Memory Modules(s) section and follow the instructions.
  5. Clear the CMOS settings:
     Note: For more information about how to open the side panel and location of the clear CMOS jumper connector, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. For information about opening the left side-panel see the Left Side-Panel section. For information about the location of the CMOS jumper, locate the Technical Overview section and look in the System-Board Components section for the location of the CMOS jumper.
  6. Perform different video configuration tests: Make sure the video card has/have the proper power connections from the power supply, reseat the video card and if more than one video card is present, try them individually.
     Note: For more information about how to open the side panel and remove and insert the PCI-Express Cards, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. For information about opening the left side-panel see the Left Side-Panel section. For information about removing the video card see the Graphics Card section.
  7. Remove all but the essential components (one memory module and one Video Card only) including, WiFi adapters, TV tuners, Optical Dives (ODDs), Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and try to turn the computer on.
     Note: For more information about how to open the side panel and remove and insert the components, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See each section for instructions on removing that component.
  8. See Dell Knowledge Base article 000130881 - Dell Personal Computer Does Not Turn On or Boot Into Windows

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Fan and Thermal Problems

For information about how to open the side panel and troubleshoot the Cooling Assembly, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Vostro 270s Specifications

For information about the Vostro 270s Specifications, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Specifications (SWF/PDF).

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System Board Component Locations

For information about the system board component locations, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Main I/O Board Component Locations

For information about the main I/O board component locations, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See the Back View section.

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How to Open the Chassis

For information about how to open the chassis side panel, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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How to Remove and Reinsert the Components

For information about how to remove and reinsert the components, browse to the Vostro 270s Online Manuals. Click the preferred language. View the Owner's Manual. See the Working inside your computer section and follow the instructions.

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Wireless Networking How-to's and Troubleshooting

For how-to's and troubleshooting information about wireless networking go to the 000127788 - Troubleshooting Wireless Networking Issues .

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