HUGE PROBLEM!!

First, do not use all capitals, it is considered shouting on this and many other internet forums.  Plus all capitals is harder to read.

It looks like the BIOS battery is the problem and the BIOS (setup) has to be reset.  First thing you will have to do is replace the CR2032 coin cell battery on the motherboard.  That battery is available almost anywhere - Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Radio Shack, etc.

Then when you first boot up, hit F2 to enter the BIOS (setup).  You can then reset the BIOS as needed to get it back operating.  HERE is the Dell manual and the BIOS instructions.   There should be an option to reset the BIOS, may say "Default" or "Factory Default" or some similar statement.  You can try that first and it may restore the BIOS without having to manually reset anything.

1) Sorry about the caps. I was not shouting at anyone. :emotion-1:

2) I will at some point run out and pick up a battery. Hopefully thats all it needs and just saved my $50! LOL I will let you know in a few days what happens.

                     Thank you!! :emotion-55:

varsy

First try replacing the battery on the motherboard, you need a 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell, this can be purchased from a Radio Shack, WalMart, or most pharmacies, etc.

The procedures to replace the battery are HERE

Check the reading of the power button LED, solid green, blinking green, solid amber, blinking amber?

What is the sequence of the diagnostic lights on the back panel of the case, see HERE.

Bev.

OK, where to start!?!?

After replacing the battery, I was finally able to get this stupid thing to do Something! It finally deceided it was going to read the XP disc. So I have spent all day tryign to get it to load.

1st Error Message (after install from CD)

Error:

Installation failed : D:\1386\asms. Error message   Accessis Denied

Fatal Error:

 One of the components that windows needs to contuine set up could not be installed.

           Now, i some how manged to find the Symptom Tree and have been running the tests on "cannot boot the OS" and so far this has come up:

 Sata disk s/n= WD-WCAL 93903295 - Read Test

Error code 0f00:0244

Erroer Msg Bbck 51269177: Uncorrectable data error or media is write protected.

Currently running test:  Sata disk s/n= wd-wcal 93903295 read test.

Any ideas what is going on??? Is my desk top fixable??

varsy

The hard drive has failed and you need to replace it.

Bev.

ok,

i replaced the hard drive, upgraded the memory and the video card. I am still getting a error message that the Floppy diskette seek failure. NOW WHAT???!!! Please help!

varsy

If you don't have a floppy drive installed, check in the System Setup, to see if the 'Diskette Drive' is set to 'off'.

Bev.

varsy

Pleased to hear that the problem has been resolved.

Bev.

Hello everyone,

 I want to thank everyone that helped me through my computer issue. With all your help, I am back up and running.

               THANK YOU!!!