XPS 400 strange bootup error

Question

Hello, and good day to all,   I have the most complexing problem going on with my computer.  When I power it on, the diagnostic lights light up in the normal manner, but as the progress bar moves across and gets to about 90%under the Dell Logo the number 1 light and the number 4 light lights up, and then the computer freezes on me.  I can it off, and then back on, and this time it works normal like, and it will boot all the way into Windows.   I looked on the Dell's website with regards to the diagnostic lights, and do not see any thing relating to light 1 and 4.  I called Dell Tech support, and then had me run through the diagnostic program that came with the computer, and that is turning up nothing.  According to the diagnostic program everything works fine.   So if anyone has any knowledge about Dell, the way Dell handles POST errors via the lights, and are able to help me fix this problem I would greatly appreciate any and all help that you can offer me.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

jackpat01, List all the devices you have connected to the PC and what ports they are using when you power it up.

jackpat01 · Answer

I believe I understand what you asking for, and here is what I have and where:

ISA 00 System Timer
ISA 04 Communications Port (COM1)
ISA 08 System CMOS/real time clock
ISA 09 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System
ISA 13 Numeric data processor
ISA 14 Primary IDE Channel
PCI 10 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller - 27DA
PCI 16 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27D0
PCI 16 Intel(R) 82801GR/GH/GHM(ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27E0
PCI 16 Intel(R) 82801G/GZ/P/PL PCI Express Root Port - 2771
PCI 16 Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio
PCI 16 NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
PCI 17 Conexant D850 56k V.9x DFVc Modem
PCI 17 Intel(R) 82801GR/GH/GHM(ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27E2
PCI 17 Intel(R) PRO/100 PL Network Connection
PCI 18 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA
PCI 18 NetMos 9805 PCI Parallel Port
PCI 20 Intel(R) 8280GR/RH SATA AHCI Controller
PCI 21 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8
PCI 21 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC
PCI 22 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9
PCI 23 Intel(R) 82801G(ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB

The only non original card I have installed into the computer right now is the NetMos card, so that I can have a serial port on this machine. I do not belive that this card is what is causing my problem, for this issue has been present since day 1, and I did not install the NetMos card until a couple of months after we bought it.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

jackpat01, I meant keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.

jackpat01 · Answer

oops!! sorry for the misunderstanding on my part

Ok here is what I have:

wireless keyboard/mouse combo => PS/2 -> USB (using a PS/2 to USB convertor)
USB hub in the Dell Monitor => USB (which has nothing connected to it)
7 port USB hub => USB
- HP Laser Jet 1000
- HP Photosmart 8250
- HP Scan Jet 3570c
- Cradle for a HP Compaq PDA
- the other 3 ports are empty
The Palette adaptor => Serial port (this is via the card I installed myself)
The Palette Security device => Parallel port (a security device that connects through the Parallel port
Internet connection => Ethernet port
Dell Monitor => DVI port
Speakers => Audio port

I think that that is all I have connected to the machine.

"The Palette" is for pattern designing. This allows a user to design a pattern on the computer, and then send it to the sewing machine via a memory card. So the memory card is what is on the serial port, and you place a security device on the parallel port. It's a crazy setup if you ask me, but "The Palette" was made before the advent of USB ports.

So you are thinking that maybe one of my extrenal devices is causing this error to occur?

jsrder · Answer

If you can reproduce the problem - then try removing all the devices except the mouse & keyboard and see if the problem goes away.  You might even disconnect the usb hub going to the Dell monitor at this time.   If not, then maybe try using the mouse & keyboard by directly plugging them into the USB ports rather than using the PS/2 -> USB convertor.   If that doesn't work, then replace all your HP equipment with Dell stuff (just a joke).   Another question would be whether you have had this problem from the get-go?  If not, did you add any devices/cards around the time the problem started?

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XPS 400 strange bootup error

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