The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Easy question: What do the locks (LEDS) mean on the 9300?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by pawn3d, Oct 6, 2009.

  1. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The 1st one is a 9, the 2nd is the letter A and the 3rd is a arrow pointing down.

    The reason I ask is because the 2nd LED (letter A) is blinking and the machine won't boot. It tries to power up for 7 seconds and then shuts off.
     
  2. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Ok I remembered, the "A" is the Caps lock key. It blinks 10 times before shutting off.
    Also, if my memory serves me correctly, one of the battery LEDs is supposed to come on when the adapter is plugged in- but mine has none.

    Any ideas?
     
  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

    Reputations:
    2,962
    Messages:
    8,231
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I think the blinking A indicates some problem with the memory (at least this is how it was on some older Dell laptops). Try re-seating your DIMMs and seeing if you get anywhere.
     
  4. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    you're absolutely right, one of the chips went bad. replaced it and all is good.
    now the real question: y does this guy :frown: look like Count Dracula?
     
  5. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

    Reputations:
    513
    Messages:
    2,369
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yup, that's a memory problem. FYI, the POST flashing sequence hasn't changed in years for Dell computers, typically it is as follows:

    One LED On, Two LED flashing
    ON FLASH FLASH - No memory modules detected

    Two LED On One LED flashing
    ON FLASH ON - Memory detected but you have a failed module.

    One LED flashing Two LED On
    FLASH ON ON - CPU or processor failure

    Two LED flashing One LED On
    FLASH FLASH On - Graphics card failure

    Two LED flashing One LED On
    FLASH ON FLASH - LCD Failure

    Two LED flashing One LED Off
    FLASH FLASH OFF - Keyboard failure

    Two LED flashing One LED Off
    FLASH OFF FLASH - USB failure

    Oh, and the lights are:

    9 = Num Lock
    A = Caps Lock
    Down arrow = Scroll Lock

    Regards