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December 14th, 2011 08:00
Setting PCI-Express as primary adapter
I have an XPS 8300, I recently noticed the clock wasn't keeping time so after doing some investigation concluded the CMOS battery was probably on its way out. So I replaced it but the PC did not post and would only give one long beep and two short beeps which indicated a video problem. So, I got an exact same version of my old graphics card, installed it and it didn't work, same thing as before. I took it back and got it replaced, tried the replacement and the same thing happened again. So, the shop tested the card and it worked fine for them. They suggested trying a card in the PCI slot which I did and the PC posted and booted fine.
It's been suggested when installing a new CMOS battery the bios reverted to basic settings with the PCI slot as the primary video adapter. So, I went int the bios to change this to PCI-Express. Problem is this option isn't available in the bios, so I can't change it.
I know the PCIe slot is fine because the card's fan works and the slot is detected in diagnostic software.
PC is about 16 months old, not sure what to do?
fireberd
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December 14th, 2011 09:00
Try resetting the CMOS memory (again), with the PC Powered Off, remove the CR2032 battery for at least 10 minutes. Replace the battery and power on. If it fixes the problem, you are "home free". The reset will reset it to factory default, but the factory default is the PCIeX16 slot for video. If not and the BIOS is corrupted the ONLY option on a Dell is to replace the motherboard or a problem with the PCIeX16 slot that also calls for a replacement motherboard.