Checkpoint [Ithr] ...... AGAIN!!

Question

Hi,   My first post on here, so please be gentle!   My Dimension XP system has stalled on start-up and gives the 'checkpoint [Ithr] - contact Dell support' message.   I've searched the forums, but there seems to be no defiinitve answer for fixing the problem. Some say remove all USB kit and reboot, some say removing the battery for the motherboard, others say try and crack into the BIOS at start-up.   So which one do I try, and is there a checklist (I guess going from the easiest to the most difficult, or the most effective to the least) of possible soolutions I should try?   TIA, Bruce

Majestic · Answer

Unfortunately Dell has never furnished a listing of all the Checkpoint Error codes let alone a checklist on how to trouble-shooting them.  The suggestions you have read so far in other forum postings is what you will need to try.  There isn't one correct answer in resolving the error so you will have to do a little trial & error to find the cure.

User97502 · Answer

I've had the same issue on two Dimension 4700's I own.  Check for my posts over the past few months on this problem.  In my contact with Dell Technical Support, it was determined that this is an indication that the motherboard is failing.  But, the nature of the problem is such that this could happen tonight or next week or it might not happen at all.   I have found that removing the CMOS battery solves my issues.  Here's what to do: Unplug all hardware connections and the power supply cord.  Hold the power button down for about 15 seconds.  Take the side panel off the tower.  Remove the battery.  Replace the battery after about 5 minutes.   Connect only the monitor, keyboard and mouse to start with.   When your system starts up, as mine has always done, you may find the clock in error.  You may also have to go into the BIOS to remind the system that it has/does not have (as the case may be) a floppy drive and/or a video card or sound card.  With my 4700's I always have had to disable the onboard video as I have a discrete video card in both systems.    Good luck.

Bruce GT3 · Answer

Hi Guys,   Thanks for your help and advice.   Luckily, in my case all it took was to unplug all the USB devices from the PC, leaving just the keyboard, mouse and monitor plugged in, and then reboot. It statrted fine, and I ran the Dell diagnostics (F12 on the 'Dell' screen). No faults were found, so I'm back, up and running!!   B. Message Edited by Bruce GT3 on 12-13-200602:44 AM

Majestic · Answer

Thanks Bruce for posting back with an update.  I'm glad to hear the problem was resolved.

sayha_72 · Answer

Thank you to all of those who had advice for this problem.    I just had to remove my USB attachments, reboot and I was up and running again.  Thanks for the indirect advice.   Sayha_72

MobileMinded · Answer

I found the same resolution to this issue. Thanks for your work and posting your result. I'm sure it has saved countless time by others trying to resolve this same problem.

If you are having an issue with the "checkpoint [Ithr]" message, definitely try to remove your USB connections and restart. This worked on my first attempt.

fellowscot · Answer

I forgot to say.  I unplugged all my usb devices and it booted up fine.   Is there anyway to find the fault as i'll need my backup usb drives to save work.   Just now, i dont fancy turning off my computer   thanks again

fellowscot · Answer

Hi folks.   I had this problem tonight with my d8400.  ( Ithr ) when doing post.   So glad that am not the only one that had this problem.  Sorry to all that had the error pop up on thier screens but if it wasnt for people who posted their solutions i wouldnt have got my computer back on line.   I am currently finishing a website for my sisters wedding. I didnt want to lose everything i had done on dreamweaver!!!    Has ayone actually had an engineer out if you couldnt figure out a solution? i only ask as i had times of calling them but i managed to fix it in the end..   Thank you

Mike_Bonfig · Answer

I just had this problem as well (Dell Dimension E310) and resolved it by unplugging all of my USB devices then power cycling. In my case, I'm 99.9% sure the issue was with my HP Photosmart 7660 - a photo printer with built in memory card reader. My son was poking buttons on it yesterday and I think made it "freeze up" and when Dell couldn't recognize the device at POST, that's when I got the error.

After a cold boot of the printer, I've been able to reboot my PC without incident several times.

I suspect if I had only pulled that USB device OR cold booted the printer BEFORE trying everything else, my PC would have booted up just fine.

Hopefully this info will be helpful to someone else.

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Checkpoint [Ithr] ...... AGAIN!!

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