Thank ejn63, I'm prinitng it off right now. Looking at the codes, as it happens I do seem to remember seeing a bunch of yellow lights on the back which indicates;
System board is receiving power, but the BIOS is not executing.
But I'll double check the pattern and follow any instructions from there if I am able to do so.
Ah ! I haven't checked that out. I'm at my folks house on their machine at the moment but will check the light on mine when I get home.
Are you able to advise me of the pattern and their meaning ? I can then print off your reply and take it with me incase I can't get mine up and running.
Dim 4400 ( June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (upgrade from 1.7 ghz)
768 MB 2100 DDR Memory
Gainward Ti 4200 128 MB Nvidia
XP Home plus SP-2
17 inch Dell LCD monitor (1703 FP)
48 X CDRW
Well.....I checked the lights last night and none of them were lit. I did have power to the PC as it started up initially before dying.
Bizarelly this morning I have powered it up and it's booted as normal and I' using it to wrote this message. I'm not sure how long it will last so I'll run some diagnostics on it now while I have the chance.
I'll post back later to let you kow the outcome :smileyhappy:
I will do first thing tomorrow as they are closed today. Interestingly though, I ran the extended diagnostics and no errors were reprted which makes it even more confusing. Shortly after I posted my previous message the system locked up again.
Will do. I think now that it might be the Motherboard. I keep getting different error lights on the back and now
I'm using the system to type this but it will lock up soon I think.
I'll post again later when I have spoken to Dell Tech Support.
Ok, I have just spoken to Dell Tech Support and the guy has advised me to roll back my BIOS upgrade to A05 as they are still doing tests with A06 and it might be that which is causing the problem.
I was a bit surprised as A06 has been out for over 2 years, but thinking about it, these freezing/non booting problems did start soon after I flashed to A06.
I'll try A05 when I get home tonight and post the outcome (assuming I can use my machine) :smileyindifferent:
It turned out to be a BIOS issue by the looks of it. A06 just didn't do my system any good. I rolled back to A05 and this was much better, but I still got a lock up.
I'm now running with A03 and this seems very stable (touch wood) and all seems fine. As for my hard drive problem (Seagate 16gb) I ran a SeagteTools extended diag on it and it returned the following error; (long paste)
So I need to double check the disk because of my lockups and see how it goes.
SeaTools Desktop v3.00.07 Copyright (c) 2004 Kroll Ontrack Inc.
11/29/2004 @ 8:47 PM
The following information has been generated by SeaTools Desktop. Use this information to help you recognize and resolve potential data access problems.
System Information: BIOS Date 01/08/02 Conventional Memory size 639 K Extended Memory size 58532 K IO Channel type PCI
Drive Information: SIZE MODEL --------- --------------------- 160 GB ST3160023A
Serial Number = 3LJ21DZB Int13 Num = 81, PHYS CHS = 16383x16x63. ParmTable CHS, Rsvd = 19457x255x63
PARTITION CYLINDER SIZE ---------- ------------ ---- # Type Start End MB PRIMARY 1 NTFS 0 19456 160049
Diagnostic Results:
Seagate DiagATA Quick Test Result: Passed Recommendation: The "Quick Test" is adequate for most situations. Consider running the "Full Test" which verifies each sector on the drive if you need to run a more comprehensive diagnostic.
Results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI: -----------------------------------------------------------------
DIAGATA.EXE Version 3.07.40526ML Copyright (c) 2002 by Seagate Technology, LLC. All rights reserved.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Timer Resolution: 0.000122 Short Test Begin: 29-Nov-2004 19:45:45 Cable Test - 0 Errors Buffer Test - 0 Errors Identify Data Model Number: ST3160023A Serial Number: 3LJ21DZB Firmware Revision: 8.01 Default CHS: 16383-16-63 Current CHS: 16383-16-63 Current Capacity: 16514064 Sectors Total Capacity: 312581808 Sectors Conductor Cable Reported ID Method: CSEL SMART Check: Passed DST - Passed PIO/DMA Data Compare Total Bytes = 8245248 Estimated PIO Transfer Rates Min: 2.24MB/s Max: 2.33MB/s Avg: 2.29MB/s Estimated DMA Transfer Rates Min: 73.58MB/s Max: 367.91MB/s Avg: 91.35MB/s SMART Check: Passed Short Test Passed: 29-Nov-2004 19:46:26
----------------------------------------------------------------- End results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI
ATA Full Test Result: Passed
Results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI: -----------------------------------------------------------------
DIAGATA.EXE Version 3.07.40526ML Copyright (c) 2002 by Seagate Technology, LLC. All rights reserved.
----------------------------------------------------------------- Timer Resolution: 0.000123 Long Test Begin: 29-Nov-2004 19:46:28 Cable Test - 0 Errors Buffer Test - 0 Errors Identify Data Model Number: ST3160023A Serial Number: 3LJ21DZB Firmware Revision: 8.01 Default CHS: 16383-16-63 Current CHS: 16383-16-63 Current Capacity: 16514064 Sectors Total Capacity: 312581808 Sectors Conductor Cable Reported ID Method: CSEL SMART Check: Passed Full Scan (0 to 312581808) - Passed Elapsed Time: 1.01 Hours Estimated Internal Transfer Rates Min: 28.43Mb/s Max: 772.75Mb/s Avg: 370.07Mb/s PIO/DMA Data Compare Total Bytes = 20680704 Estimated PIO Transfer Rates Min: 2.25MB/s Max: 2.32MB/s Avg: 2.28MB/s Estimated DMA Transfer Rates Min: 73.34MB/s Max: 122.23MB/s Avg: 90.00MB/s Long Test Passed: 29-Nov-2004 20:47:14
----------------------------------------------------------------- End results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI
File Structure Test Result:
Partition 1 (NTFS (160 GB) No Name) Result: Failed with critical Errors
NOTE: Any report of possible errors in the file system tests are for informational purposes only. We suggest you should consider testing with the official file system diagnostic utilities for your operating system. Seagate is not able to assist with troubleshooting or reviewing file system test results.
******************************************
Recommendation: All selected physical diagnostics passed.
If you are not experiencing data loss and SeaTools reports File System Structure errors, they may be caused by a lock-up or failure to shutdown Windows correctly. Many times, these errors may be repaired through normal system maintenance which includes using the Windows provided "Defrag" and "Scandisk / Chkdsk / Error Checking" utilities.
If you are experiencing a hardware error, you should isolate the cause and replace the failing component. If you are unsure how to proceed with repairs, contact a computer professional. After completing any maintenance tasks, run SeaTools again to verify that all errors have been repaired. If errors continue to occur, the system may not be stable. Again, contact a computer professional.
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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November 27th, 2004 13:00
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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November 27th, 2004 13:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
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November 27th, 2004 13:00
System board is receiving power, but the BIOS is not executing.
But I'll double check the pattern and follow any instructions from there if I am able to do so.
Thank you for helping me out :smileyhappy:
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 27th, 2004 13:00
Ah ! I haven't checked that out. I'm at my folks house on their machine at the moment but will check the light on mine when I get home.
Are you able to advise me of the pattern and their meaning ? I can then print off your reply and take it with me incase I can't get mine up and running.
SR45
2 Intern
•
12.1K Posts
0
November 27th, 2004 14:00
2.6 ghz (upgrade from 1.7 ghz)
768 MB 2100 DDR Memory
Gainward Ti 4200 128 MB Nvidia
XP Home plus SP-2
17 inch Dell LCD monitor (1703 FP)
48 X CDRW
SR45
2 Intern
•
12.1K Posts
0
November 28th, 2004 09:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 28th, 2004 09:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 28th, 2004 10:00
SR45
2 Intern
•
12.1K Posts
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November 28th, 2004 18:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 29th, 2004 04:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 29th, 2004 07:00
Jason_csh
40 Posts
0
November 29th, 2004 19:00
Copyright (c) 2004 Kroll Ontrack Inc.
this information to help you recognize and resolve potential data access
problems.
System Information:
BIOS Date 01/08/02
Conventional Memory size 639 K
Extended Memory size 58532 K
IO Channel type PCI
SIZE MODEL
--------- ---------------------
160 GB ST3160023A
Serial Number = 3LJ21DZB
Int13 Num = 81, PHYS CHS = 16383x16x63.
ParmTable CHS, Rsvd = 19457x255x63
---------- ------------ ----
# Type Start End MB
PRIMARY
1 NTFS 0 19456 160049
Diagnostic Results:
Recommendation:
The "Quick Test" is adequate for most situations.
Consider running the "Full Test" which
verifies each sector on the drive if you need to run a more
comprehensive diagnostic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2002 by Seagate Technology, LLC. All rights reserved.
Timer Resolution: 0.000122
Short Test Begin: 29-Nov-2004 19:45:45
Cable Test - 0 Errors
Buffer Test - 0 Errors
Identify Data
Model Number: ST3160023A
Serial Number: 3LJ21DZB
Firmware Revision: 8.01
Default CHS: 16383-16-63
Current CHS: 16383-16-63
Current Capacity: 16514064 Sectors
Total Capacity: 312581808 Sectors
Conductor Cable Reported
ID Method: CSEL
SMART Check: Passed
DST - Passed
PIO/DMA Data Compare
Total Bytes = 8245248
Estimated PIO Transfer Rates
Min: 2.24MB/s Max: 2.33MB/s Avg: 2.29MB/s
Estimated DMA Transfer Rates
Min: 73.58MB/s Max: 367.91MB/s Avg: 91.35MB/s
SMART Check: Passed
Short Test Passed: 29-Nov-2004 19:46:26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
End results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2002 by Seagate Technology, LLC. All rights reserved.
Timer Resolution: 0.000123
Long Test Begin: 29-Nov-2004 19:46:28
Cable Test - 0 Errors
Buffer Test - 0 Errors
Identify Data
Model Number: ST3160023A
Serial Number: 3LJ21DZB
Firmware Revision: 8.01
Default CHS: 16383-16-63
Current CHS: 16383-16-63
Current Capacity: 16514064 Sectors
Total Capacity: 312581808 Sectors
Conductor Cable Reported
ID Method: CSEL
SMART Check: Passed
Full Scan (0 to 312581808) - Passed
Elapsed Time: 1.01 Hours
Estimated Internal Transfer Rates
Min: 28.43Mb/s Max: 772.75Mb/s Avg: 370.07Mb/s
PIO/DMA Data Compare
Total Bytes = 20680704
Estimated PIO Transfer Rates
Min: 2.25MB/s Max: 2.32MB/s Avg: 2.28MB/s
Estimated DMA Transfer Rates
Min: 73.34MB/s Max: 122.23MB/s Avg: 90.00MB/s
Long Test Passed: 29-Nov-2004 20:47:14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
End results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI
NOTE: Any report of possible errors in the file system tests are for
informational purposes only. We suggest you should consider testing with
the official file system diagnostic utilities for your operating system.
Seagate is not able to assist with troubleshooting or reviewing
file system test results.
Recommendation:
All selected physical diagnostics passed.
System Structure errors, they may be caused by a lock-up or
failure to shutdown Windows correctly. Many times, these errors
may be repaired through normal system maintenance which
includes using the Windows provided "Defrag" and
"Scandisk / Chkdsk / Error Checking" utilities.
the cause and replace the failing component. If you are unsure how
to proceed with repairs, contact a computer professional. After
completing any maintenance tasks, run SeaTools again to
verify that all errors have been repaired. If errors continue to
occur, the system may not be stable. Again, contact a computer
professional.
========================================================