Boot failure

I have a Windows 7 Dell XPS 420 PC that was working fine, but now won't boot. When I reboot, it immediately goes to Startup Repair, where it hangs. I can't even hit F8 (I tried to do that to run Farbar), because it no longer recognizes the keyboard or mouse. I tried swapping out the keyboard in case that was the problem -- no luck. Suggestions? I'd be grateful for any and all.

 

Greetings, Happy_Macomb...

Can you get into BIOS? Might be impossible if the keyboard isn't functioning, but it's worth a try. Usually the Dell machine setup can be accessed by tapping the <F2> key upon startup, but try other keys (<Fx>, CTRL, DEL, etc.) if the <F2> doesn't work. If you can get into BIOS make sure the hard drive and RAM are recognized, peripherals are present, all settings are set to Safe, etc. Also, while in BIOS set your startup order to CD/DVD first.

If that doesn't work or if you can't get into your machine setup, try opening your case and do a visual inspection for any obvious anomalies. Using good anti-static procedures, you might try re-seating any RAM module(s), make sure any fans are clean and free, etc...

Also, unplug any non-essential peripheral devices (especially USB) to see if you can get a change in symptoms. Speaking of USB - is the keyboard USB? If so, any way you can grab a PS/2 keyboard for troubleshooting?

 

Hi my friend , do you have win 7 disk to be able to repair installation ? :wave

 

Thank you Caliban and falconattack.

Caliban: Yes, I unplugged all nonessential USB devices, and disconnected from the internet as well -- didn't help. I'll try a PS/2 keyboard to see if the computer will recognize that so I can get into the Bios.

falconattack: Yes, I do have the Win7 disk. Should I try booting from that rather than trying the approach Caliban suggests?

 

Go to like target or best buy and bye one of them fold out plastic key boards they work wonders in some issues.

 

Thanks, Goldenskull, that's a great idea if i can't get any of my stack of old keyboards to work. I didn't know fold out plastic key boards even existed!

 

Hi...

By all means, if you can boot to a valid Windows 7 disk then you can try to repair your installation.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/startup-repair

 

Ok, I'll tackle that tonight. Thanks to all!

 

Because the computer won't recognize the mouse or keyboard, it turns out I can't change the boot sequence, so it keeps going into the startup-repair loop. I am not able to use the Win 7 disk. (What I have is an upgrade disk -- it was originally a Vista machine. Should I be using the original Vista disk???) Is there reason to think the PC might recognize the fold out plastic key board that Goldenskull recommends (something like this: http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Foldable-Portable-Roll-Up-Keyboard/dp/B001GC9C9Q/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top? But why would that work if no other keyboard works -- I have tried several)? Or is it time to retire this computer? It worked flawlessly until this problem cropped up a few days ago, so I am loathe to pitch it, but I don't know how to work around its inability to recognize the mouse or keyboard. (I don't see a PS/2 port to connect a keyboard, so the only way I know to connect is via the USB connector. Maybe that is what has failed.)

 

The keyboard won't even launch the BIOS. I've tried several keyboards. I think it's time to take it to the local PC repair place to see if they can make it budge!

 

You can try to remove your battery for 20 minutes or so before take it to repair shop ( maybe your pc will recover ) :wave

http://support.dell.com/support/top...A38FC8B0CC6FC94E040AE0AB7E10B10&isLegacy=true

 

Sometimes rear USB ports are better recognized. I just want to make sure you are using a rear slot for the keyboard.

Had you made any changes in BIOS before the keyboard problem? If so unplugging and removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes will reset BIOS to defaults which might help with the keyboard being recognized.

 

That is a GREAT idea -- I don't recall EVER changing the battery on this baby -- I had totally forgotten about that as a possible issue. I bet the battery is shot. Feeling foolish! I'm on it!

And sach2, you are right - I was using the front USB slot most recently (thought the regular keyboard was plugged into a rear slot, as was the first alternate keyboard I tried) -- I'll try the rear slot after I change the battery.

 

If the battery is dead then that would set you to defaults if you cut power at night.

Replacing the battery is fine but just disconnecting A/C and removing the battery for a minute or two will set you back to defaults. Since you don't have PS/2 ports, the default setting should be to recognize USB keyboards. And remember you have to reboot after switching keyboards.

 

Thanks, Sachs; that is all helpful. I thought it was possible to swap out USB keyboards. But I've rebooted as it happens....

 

I replaced the battery, but when I plugged the CPU's power cable in, it started rapidly cycling on and off. So I phoned our local PC repair place, and they said it sounds like a hard disk failure. I'll try replacing the hard disk -- I think I have an extra floating around -- and reinstalling the operating system. If that doesn't help, then to PC heaven it will go.

 

What do you see when it cycles on and off? I'm trying to figure out if it is starting Windows before cycling off or just cycling off before even getting to Windows logo.

What happens if you disconnect the HD (just pull the power plug from the HD). Then try to start.

 

It cycles on and off as soon as I plug in the power cord -- doesn't get close to booting windows. I can try disconnecting the HD -- that is a great suggestion -- what should I expect it to do if I power it on w/o a HD and therefore no operating systen?

 

You should get your Dell screen and then a message about no bootable drive or no OS found.

I can't see how changing hte battery would effect this restart cycle. You were getting to Win7 repair but unable to use the keyboard. After changing the battery you should still be able to do the same.

Removing the connector from the HD just takes that out of the equation. If it is still cycling on and off then it is not the HD causing the problem.

 

I agree that changing the battery shouldn't have changed anything. But maybe the harddisk was going, and when I moved the PC to change the battery, that was the final straw and it gave up the ghost. I really didn't plan to buy a new computer right now, so it would be great if this one would reinvent itself -- so I have my fingers crossed. I'm not sure how fast I can get to it, though, because of holiday prep (not that unplugging the hard disk should take long). I'm hoping soon....

 

A PC should start and stay on even with no HD. It would just display a message about no bootable device or no HD found.

I think your problem is more fundamental. The fact that keyboard and mouse aren't responding during the BIOS screen or Windows screen is major. A new HD won't fix that. It isn't getting those instructions from Windows but before Windows.

When you get back to it, go ahead and unplug from electric and remove the new battery for a minute then put back together and see if it remains the same just to rule out a fluke. Then go ahead and unplug the HD and try booting.

 

I unplugged the hard drive, and it didn't make a difference -- the PC continually cycles on and off. Moreover, and I didn't mention this before, it starts doing that as soon as I connect the power cable. It won't let me turn it off (or on). Maybe a bad power supply?

 

What do you see while it is cycled on? Is it a Dell screen? Does F2 during the Dell screen get you into BIOS? Do you have the keyboard attached (it should be)?

 

Unfortunately, this problem happens instantly upon the PC being connected to a power supply -- it shuts on and off really fast -- nothing appears on the monitor.

 

This is a new problem, starting after I replaced the battery. I've replaced lots of computer batteries, so I don't think I did anything that should have triggered this weird result.

 

Let's see if anyone else has a suggestion.

We posted at the same time earlier. I suggested unplugging electric and removing the battery for a minute. Then putting back to again reset CMOS to see if any difference. I think you should try that if you haven't since installing the battery to rule out a fluke situation. Or unplug and remove the battery when you put it down for the night.

Dell's usually have the power light on front turn amber when they detect a power supply problem. I'm not saying it can't be a power supply problem just that it seems strange. You went from a booting machine with no keyboard access to no BIOS for no apparent reason. It is just that it looked like a motherboard problem, recognizing the keyboard, to supposedly a HD problem (which I don't agree with) to a power supply problem. I think we should stick with trying to get the motherboard to start up with a Dell screen and get a keyboard recognized.

I would unplug and remove battery overnight. Unplug the HD and any optical drives. Then when you get back to it put the battery in and plug into electric with no HD, optical drive or USB items attached and see if you still get the cycling. The goal is to get to the Dell screen.

 

Sach: Thanks -- I'll try that tonight. I haven't taken out the battery since I put the new one in. I've already unplugged the HD; I'll unplug the optical drives and remove the battery for the night. Fingers crossed. I really appreciate your suggestions.

 

That experiment was very interesting. I got the following message (only retyping the gist of it):

BIOS version A03
...

Performing automatic IDE configuration....
AHCI BIOS not installed....

Time-of-day not set
...
Invalid configuration information -- please run SETUP program
Keyboard not found ...
Alert! System battery voltage is low.
Alert! Previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint [ithr]. For help in resolving this problem, please note this checkpoint and contact Dell Technical Support.

Strike the F1 key to continue....​

So it sounds as if the "new" battery I installed wasn't so new. I'm going to get a new battery to install now....

Any other suggestions?

 

That sounds like every BIOS error I have ever seen all on one list.

I'd plug a ps/2 keyboard in and restart and see if it recognizes the keyboard. If it will then I would hit F2 to go into BIOS and set the time to clear that error.

Then see what errors are still on the list. Reattaching the HD and optical drives should be ok and it will reconfigure them. But I'd see if I can get a keyboard recognized first since you can't do anything without one.

 

I just realized you don't have a PS/2 port.

Make sure you try the USB keyboard in both a front and back USB port. The front ports are wired separately so there can be a difference between front and rear port recognition.

 

Thanks -- I'll try both ports.

 

I'm going to give up on the PC -- I replaced the battery with another new one (fresh from the store), and it immediately went back to cycling on and off, but this time even faster than before -- never showed anything on the monitor. I'm inclined to think it is a bad power supply but I'm worried that it could be the motherboard. We need the PC to be dependable and so at this point I don't have the luxury of continuing to troubleshoot. Thank you all for all your help! You are amazingly generous with your time.

I wish I had the time to build a PC -- I really want to -- but I'm going to have to buy one off the shelf. Is there a forum here with recommendations about what to look for in a middle-of-the-road new PC? It has been a few years since I bought one....