PC won't run @ all.?

I have a PC that used to be touch & go with startup now its just dead. I know enough to be dangerous on PC's but I can't get this one so if someone could lend a hand that would be great.

Machine: Dell precision 360 running Xp sp2

Problem: Upon startup the computer boots up to the "Dell" logo screen and then a beep and fade to black. I am prompted to strike F1 to continue or F2 to enter setup. Now I have replaced all IDE ribbons, I have placed a new hard drive in this PC. Which by the way has 2 HD's. My IT guy recently relocated so I am stuck with a new IT gal thats not going to want to look at this. So here's the beginning of the trail I would appreciate any assistance that anyone might be able to lend to me. If you need more info I'll do what I can to gather it. Thanx!:confused

 

Do what it says and hit F2.

That will take you to the Dell setup - a poor excuse for a bios.
Here you can check if the hard drives are actually detected or have been turned off this seems to happen with Dells.

Follow the instructions in the band at the bottom of the screen to redetect the hard drives.

 

...anyhow. If you don't go into bios, what does it say? Does it say insert system disk or something like that? Does it start to load windows? Can you boot from a CD? If you can boot from a CD, can you put the Dell restore CD in and get it to recognize the hard drive?
No? Then I ask:
How is the HDD installed? Is the new drive on the master position (end) of the cable? Is the jumper set to either Master or Cable Select? Have you tried the computer with only 1 of your hard drives running?

 

There is just a single beep on startup?
There should be a series of them which would help figuring out the problem.

 

Sound's like you've somehow corrupted or erased your CMOS settings. The fact that you don't get though POST and move to the OS suggests a Hardware/configuration problem.

Press F2 as suggested and ensure that the system is detecting the CPU, RAM, IDE Drives/SATA drives. Reset the BIOS settings to default, save and exit. On the next boot let the system auto detect your settings for you! Ensure everything matches your spec. e.g if you should have for example a 2.6Ghz CPU ensure the BIOS reports 2.6Ghz and so on. If in any doubt.. contact Dell support and they will talk you though it. Believe me it's worth the phone call not only will your computer be working again you'll know how to fix this if it happens again.

If you purchased a new Hard Drive and if it hasn't been setup yet, boot with your original hard disk. Within Windows XP go to (classic view) "Control Panel" - "Administrative Tools" - "Computer Management" - under "Storage" Select "Disk Storage". Right click on your new drive and select Format (full not quick), format the disk and make it active you can now use it within Windows. It will also show up within My Computer!

If you've installed the new disk and want to use it as your primary disk install it as the Master on the Primary IDE Channel. Set the secondary disk as the Slave on the Primary IDE Channel. I'm assuming IDE not SATA in which case the Slave/Master settings can be ignored. I wouldn't suggest running any Hard Disks on the same IDE channel as a optical drive. One of the draw backs of IDE is that it will default to the slowest device on the same channel.

Setup your OS as normal. Please be aware that your restore disk most likely won't work on your new hard drive. Unless Dell was smart and put the entire on image on a DVD or a series of DVD's! On the old hard drive there is a hidden partition which contains an image on your system as it was when you bought it. All the restore disk does is point to the image and tells the program e.g. Ghost... to load the image onto the hard drive and expand.

If in any doubt contact Dell Support and ask some questions. If you get in over your head.. backup your files and take your computer to a certified repair center or to a certified support technician or a friend that knows what they are doing.

Good Luck Solder! :major

 

Let's cool it with the advice folks until we know more.

I have currently spent the last week, on and off, servicing a Dell with exactly the same symptoms.

Having proved that all the hardware is tip-top I have reinstalled Windows 5 times. Each time it works for a while then reverts to the same black screen.
I have traced it to a rootkit that refuses to die. The final solution has been to delete all partitions on the hard drive and start from total scratch.

I would hesitate to recommend (wish) this on the original poster until I was absolutely certain.

For those who don't know about Dells, they are different so please refrain from inappropriate advice. If you watch these forums there is plenty of correct and useful information about Dells published at Major Geeks.

 

My apologies I wasn't aware you knew exactly how to fix the problem. If so then please post a solution for the user.

From what the user has stated it sounds like a CMOS/Hardware error as it won't get far from POST. I could well be wrong but if what you are saying is correct then using the restore disk should correct it?

I understand that Dells are different, I have seen enough of them to know they are slightly different.

Good Luck I hope you can help the user more than everyone else.

 

If a pc goes through the bios motions (as this one did) and then passes to a black screen, with or without a blinking cursor, it has done its version of POST and has found at least one operating system. However it can't successfully start the OS.

this could be because

The boot sector is corrupt
The Master Boot Record is corrupt
(For win XP) NTldr is corrupt

The system has a boot sector virus
the system has certain rootkits

The system has legitimate software, such as antivirus or windows own updates, starting before Windows and interfering with boot.

If Jinx would answer some questions we could perhaps find out which one and proceed.

Finding a way to run check disk may be all that is needed.

 

Ok I am taking a look at the PC right now I have to run out later today so I don't know how long I will have to check. I do thank all of you for your input, I will do what I can to get you more info.

Thanks again.

 

When you post again tell us also what your resources are.
Can you connect the drive to another pc as a temporary slave? (best approach)

Do you have the two Dell CDs labelled Recovery- OS and Recovery - drivers?

Can you borrow a windows XP cd?

 

Ran out of time today I will get back at this monday I hope. Thanks again.

 

Alright here is what I have so far.
Primary HD: Hiatachi Model: IC35L090AVV207-0
80G
Secondary HD: Western Digital Model: WD400BB-75JHC0
40G

Both HD's on a single paired IDE.
.........................................................................
@ the dell setup screen I hit F12 & this is what popped up.

Primary SATA
Drive 0: No Device

Secondary SATA
Drive 0: No Device

Primary IDE
Drive 0: No Device
Drive 1: No Device

Secondary IDE
Drive 0: CDR/RW Diognostics Not Supported
Drive 1: No Device

No HD Installed, press any key to continue.

F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup.

AND I'm still tracking a few things down. I did try to only run one HD and nothing was different. I haven't had time to get through all of the ideas that you all have listed but I am working on it. Thanks again.

 

looks like you might have the option jumpers messed up on the hard drives. Only plug one hard drive into the cable, and nothing else(ie:CD, dvd). See what happens. It would be best to make that drive master or CS.
Good Luck
Howiefix

 

You could as suggested check your jumper configuration, ensure they are properly set. You could also try both (one at a time) of the hard drives on it's own into the IDE e.g. one you know to be good such as the one used for the optical drive (remove the optical drive first).

I'd be almost sure that you have a jumper misconfiguration problem with the drives. My advice would be to set the 80GB as Primary Master with the 40GB as the Primary Slave or.. you could set the 40GB as the Secondary Master with the optical drive as the Secondary Slave.

Another option would be to set your drive(s) to Cable Select (may be listed on the drive as CS) then configure the Master/Slave settings within the BIOS or allow the BIOS to choose for you.

Good Luck.. I hope you find the problem!

 

Good news so far... I changed the jumpers on the HD to Master and unplugged the IDE's that weren't needed, and after a little BS its running and has been for the last oh hour or so. I have only been updating anti virus software but as soon as thats done I'll continue with the hookups. I thank you all so much and I will keep you posted on the next couple steps. Thanks again hope X-mas was good for everybody!

 

NEXT!
Alright If I take the second HD off the ide and boot, I have no problems. But when I try to connect the other HD it runs the, Press F1 to continue, and F2 for setup. SO, do I need to change the jumper on the second HD. It appears to be in Cable Select. Its a western digital drive 40Gig. I have tried running only this drive and I still get the same error. If I remember correctly this is the drive that was replaced shortly after we I purchased this PC. Let me know what ya'll think.

Thanks.