Hi Eddie,

Try running a built in Hardware diagnostics to check for hardware issues and get back with the results.

Kindly find the steps below to perform the hardware diagnostics.

Turn the computer off >restart the computer.

At the Dell logo screen, start tapping the F12 key a few times until you see the ‘One Time Boot Menu’ appear.

At the one time boot menu, press the down arrow key to highlight ‘Diagnostic’, and then press Enter to begin the PSA diagnostics. If the test fails, please make a note of any error codes listed. You can also refer to the link below.

http://dell.to/OUGnqT

Hi Eddie,

I am sorry about the previous message. Please run the online diagnostics from the below link to check for hardware issues.

http://dell.to/We70YO

Also try to do a clean boot. Please follow the steps mentioned in the below link.

http://bit.ly/12PfxI

Hi Harish,

Thank you for the reply.  I've attempted accessing the ePSA several times now, and it doesn't seem to start.  This is an older system.  Is it possible that it doesn't have that option in the BIOS?

I'll try a few more times to be sure, but is there another troubleshooting path we can try?

Eddie

I am able to access BIOS by pressing 'DEL' at startup.  There I can modify boot order, but built in diagnostics is not among the options I can choose.

Harish,

I have also already attempted Dell's online diagnostics without success.  I chose Full Diagnostic and agree to the EULA.  Dell System Detect is downloaded and installed.  After several minutes of "Gathering Information....Please Wait....," it attempts to install AlienAutopsy and says "searching for updates."  Then it will say "Requirements for download: This software package is not designed for use with this machine type.

I've not attempted the clean boot procedure.  I will give it a try now and report back.

Eddie

Hi Eddie,

Try pressing the FN+Power together to initiate the Built in Diagnostics.

Harish,

This is a desktop unit.  Unless I misunderstand your suggestion, it wouldn't apply here as there are no FN keys on the generic keyboard I'm using.  

Eddie

Sounds like an Alienware legacy (or Pre-Dell) unit.

Does it actually say "Dell" anywhere in BIOS? I kinda doubt it.

One of the first steps in determining a course of action in trouble-shooting a machine is to first determine exactly what machine you have.

Dell made Alienware desktops started shipping in Q4-2009. They had Intel i7 processors and Win7-64bit minimum.

Sounds like an Alienware legacy (or Pre-Dell) unit.   Does it actually say "Dell" anywhere in BIOS? I kinda doubt it.   One of the first steps in determining a course of action in trouble-shooting a machine is to first determine exactly what machine you have.   Dell made Alienware desktops started shipping in Q4-2009. They had Intel i7 processors and Win7-64bit minimum.

System freezing is usually caused by defective RAM.

RAM Testing: Run Memtest86+ v5.00 for ten passes to rule out faulty RAM. (You will need a USB Flash drive to install Memtest onto.)

I see your motherboard is also pretty hot, you should get that checked out asap.