boot problem: press delete to resume

This problem occurs because the BIOS has detected a problem.  Since it happens before Windows ME even starts to load, restoring the reigstry or using System restore will not fix the problem.  When the message that says "Press Delete to Continue" is on your screen, look at the back of your computer for the 4 diagnostic lights.  These lights give a code that tells you what the problem is.  The document to tell you how to interpret the code can be found at:

 

Find out what the lights are telling you and post back so we can advise on what the next step should be.

Steve

 

 

Hello Steve

I check the ABCD light in the back.  All are green.  That is strange!  It means nothing wrong with the computer.  I still have to press delete then choice # 1 (normal boot) to get in window ME.

Do you have any idea?  Dell support technician told me get into Safe mode then do virus scan.  I did that, no virus but still does not work.

dexom35

 

 

 

When are you looking at the diagnostic lights?  If you are looking at them after the computer has succesfully booted into Windows, then they should be all green.  You need to look at the lights while the "Press Delete to Continue" message is shown on the screen and before you press the Delete key.

Steve

I too recently received the same problem as Volcano.  My Dell is also about a year old and all of a sudden one day I had to hit delete for the computer to load up.  I had not made any changes to the configurations around that time.

I went ahead and looked at the lights to diagnose the problem.  It said that I had a PCI bus failure.  I followed the instructions and took out all the cards - including the modem and the speaker card that came with the computer.  I had only placed one card into the computer myself and that was the network card.  My Control Panel settings show no conflict among devices.  Even after having done that I am still getting the Delete key at boot up.

Is there another fix?  I don't believe I have a device conflict.  All my devices seem to be working in proper order.

Thanks,

Rosa

Try first removing all of the cards and then clear NVRAM.  The procedure for clearing NVRAM is at:

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed / replaced from this post by Dell>

Then add the cards back, one by one.

Steve

Ok! Steve

Now I get it.  Only green on B light.  It is PCI card problem, isn't it?  I did not mess around inside this new computer yet.  How come it got PCI card problem.

OK! now what I should do?  How do I know which one PCI card if I have to get my hand to open the computer up?

Thanks for promptly reply my message.  I did not know you check the message on Sunday.

Thanks, again.

Dexom35

 

 

 

To open your computer, follow the directions in the documentation at:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/rr.htm

Then follow the steps in the messages in this thread, above.

If you need help with this, I would suggest calling Dell Tech Support.

Steve

Hi! Steve

I am going to remove the PCI card at my day off.  Assume that after I remove the PCI card, What should I do next?  Would you kindly give me the direction of whole process?

Thanks in advance

Dexom35

 

Turn off the computer. Remove all of the PCI cards except the video card.  Reboot the computer,  and see if the message appears.  Shut off the computer and replace one of the PCI cards.  Reboot the computer and see if the message appears and let Windows reinstall the device if necessary.  Shut down the computer and replace another PCI card.  Repeat the process until all cards are reinstalled.  Hopefull you won't get the Press Delete to Continue message again.

Steve 

Hello! Steve

I did not work, Steve!.  After I pull out all PCI card, the computer is still asking me to press Delete key.

What should I do now?

I apperciate your help very much in past week.

Thanks again, Steve.

Dexom35

 

It's time to call Dell Tech Support, explain your troublehsooting steps, and see if they have more suggestions.  My only expereince comes with reading what other people have done here on the forums.  Since I have not read about any other measures that have worked, I'm at the end of my knowledge.  Hopefully, Tech Support has some other tricks.  If you solve the problem, I would appreciate it very much if you would post your solution here so that it could benefit others.

Steve

On bootup press CONTROL ALT D.  Note: PRESS THE LETTER D not delete and the system will tell you that the hard drive is the problem.

Hi! Steve

I did run a diagnostic hard driver as your tip.  It was pass, no error.

I did contact with Dell support. They are too, running out of options.  The fact is you are better than them.  Well! I may have to get stuck with this Lemon computer.  The computer is working fine except that I have to press Delete key and # 1 every time I turn the computer on.  It annoys me.

Anyway! I appreciated much for helping me.

Dexom35

 

 

 

Hi! Steve

Me again!  Do you know (step by step) how to clear NVRAM for Dimention 4100?  I looked in Dell knowlegde base, it did not show step be step how to do it.

Dexom35

Instructions for clearing NVRAM on the 4100 are in the following Dell document:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/syssetup.htm

Steve