Inspiron 545MT Startup problems

Hi John,

Normally the first thing to do is remove all non-essential peripherals and USB devices, and reset the CMOS.

Thanks osprey4,

I have reset the CMOS when I replaced the battery but have not removed devices etc.

I have a scanner and a printer both USB and turned off. I also have usb keyboard and mouse which obviously are connected and needed. Also I have usb connected Dell speakers. All of these have been connected since buying the Inspiron just over 3 years ago.

I will try unplugging the speakers; are there any other items I should disconnect too?

John

Apart from the keyboard and mouse, unplug everything else.

I'm trying to find the checkpoint list, but my recollection is that even if you know what [4E] refers to, it's not real helpful.

Hi Osprey,

Have tried your suggestion with mixed results.

Mostly putting the system into 'Sleep' (and Hibernate about 3 hours later).

It has started OK mostly until today when again three or four attempts to start thesystem with the power button failed.

I switched the system off at the electicity supply for 5 minutes and on switching on, the first two ateempts to start the system failed.

On the third, I received a "Booting failed at checkpoint [49]" message, and the system started on the next try.

It seems that if it gets as far as showing a 'Booting failed' message, it will most often start next time.

Can you make any sense of this?

John

what i would do is

choose the PC boot order with "F12" into a Live CD like Ubuntu or Symantec

after no error message, open administrator command prompt & run "chkdsk /r" for repair the HDD

or remove current HDD, install good known HDD, quick format, fresh install Win7, Vista, or XP and test

Thanks dakitas,

I currently have the system set boot from CD/DVD first. The problem occurs before that stage. Once the 'Boot from CD?' message flashes up on the screen, and without a CD/dvd loaded, it boots normally.

I completely rebuilt the system (win 7 sp 1) a short while ago to try and cure the problem but, although it seemed to help for a week or two, the problem returned.

John

Checkpoint 4E refers to the memory test at POST. I would run the Dell diagnostics from the F12 utility partition on your memory.

Hi osprey4,

Oops! I do not currently have a utility partition but have run both Dell 'PC Checkup' and the F12 pre-boot System Assessment Utility (Build 4510). Both passed all memory tests.

Can I retrieve the Utility Partition having seemingly removed it when rebuilding the system?

John

Hi osprey4,

That is "Can I retrieve Obtain the software to reload the Utility Partition having seemingly removed it when rebuilding the system?

John

You can run the diagnostics from either a bootable CD or flash drive. Download here.

Did you try the suggestion to chkdsk the drive?

Hi Osprey4,

Ran chkdsk and found no problems. Also ran the memory diagnostics from bootable CD, again nothing.

Did not complete the other diagnostics but will try later.

John

Ran diagnostics from bootable CD and all pass OK.

Are you still getting the same checkpoint error, 4E?

You might want to try updating the BIOS. I recommend the DOS method, which requires a bootable flash drive or CD.

Hi Osprey,

The error 4E and sometimes 49 only occurred occasionally.

After diagnostics testing, I shutdown the computer and when I went to start it 2 hours later, the first press of the power button did nothing, the second press similarly, but on the third press it booted normally. (I made sure that each press on the power button was firm and not too short.

Do you think that updating the BIOS will help?

John

Yes, I would give that a try.