Computer is crashing, need help

My computer keeps crashing and giving me this error before bootup in DOS:

Strike F1 to retry Boot
F2 for setup utility

I recieve this error sometimes when I boot up, or sometimes the computer is running fine then randomly crashes and boots this error.

I recently installed Windows 7 and this may be part of the issue, but I did run into the exact same problem before while running Windows XP.

My assumption is it is a bootsector problem or something, I am not sure if reflashing the BIOS would help or not. I also think maybe formatting and reinstalling Windows might help, but I was unable to do that with the Win7 disk. When I tried to boot from the Windows 7 disk it would run windows from the disk but there was never any prompts.

 

Hi gator,

You need to run a MEM-test (RAM) and a HDD test, it sounds to me like one or the other is having issues...

Download and burn UBCD to a CD, it has the tools needed for this...
UBCD - http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html

You have to burn it as an .ISO image file NOT just a normal data disk


Once you have it burned properly, put it in the Disk drive and reboot, then once you have the disc booted up, do the RAM test first...

Q

 

I got home today, and the computer would not even boot windows anymore. It would go through the Dell Screen "it says Press F2 for setup or F12 for Boot Menu at the top right corner" then it would go to a black screen. After a few attempts to start it would bring back the "press F1 to retry...". I then attempted to remove the memory sticks one at a time, that didn't resolve it. I unplugged my slave drive, still no avail. I am about to run the boot disk so wish my luck! Just keeping you up to date

 

Ok, I ran both the tests from the Boot Disk you suggested. It found no errors...I am thinking of putting the HDD in my other computer and formatting it, would that be a good idea or is this a different problem? It will not boot to windows at ALL.

 

Ok, I resolved the problem by just formatting and reinstalling Windows 7. I love Win7, but I have a couple questions you might be able to help me with:

My "Windows Experience Index" gave me a 1.0 for gaming graphics and a 1.9 for desktop graphics... I am aware that the on-board video card my Dell Dimension 2400 has is sub-par. If I were to buy a new video card would it make the browser scrolling and the general graphics opertion work much better? When I open applications or browsers they open up super fast, but the little graphics of just expanding the window and scrolling down is a bit jumpy. I know some Graphics cards have built in memory so maybe that would help my experience even more.

Also I have 1.0gb of ram would I benefit a lot from more RAM?

Thanks for your help!!