Booting Problem

Question

Dear Dell Forum,   Thank you in advance for your help.   Please Help.   Dell Dimension 3000 Windows XP Professional All has being well since 05/04/2005 until   Now -   Screen 1   Bios Revision A02, F2 = setup,  F12 = Boot Menu  :  DELL : Pentium 4   Screen 2   Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02 Copyright 1985-1988 Phoenix Technologies Ltd. Copyright 1990-2004 Dell Computer Corporation All rights reserved.   Dell System Dimension 3000 Series Bios version A02 www.dell.com   Primary drive 0 not found Primary drive 1 not found Secondary drive 1 not found   Strike F1 key to continue, F2 to run the set up utility   Screen 3   on press F1 key = two bleeps and strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility   Screen 4   on press F2 key   Dell - Dimension 3000 Series   Intel Pentium 4 Processor: 3.00 GHz Level 2 Cache: 1 MB Integrated BIOS Version: A02 Service Tag: *******   19 items follow, including:-   item 3 : Drive configuration   Diskette Drive A:                 ...  3.5 inch, 1.44 MB   Primary Master Drive          ...  off / Unknown Device Primary Slave Drive            ...  off / Unknown Device Secondary Master Drive     ...  CD-ROM Device Secondary Slave Drive       ...  off / Unknown Device   IDE DRIVE UDMA               ...  On     item 4 : Boot Sequence   1. Diskette Drive 2. IDE CD_ROM Device   At screen 1 if F12 is pressed = Boot Menu                    then Boot Device Menu = 1 - 6 options all options = Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility     On BOOT UP if F8 key is pressed produces =   Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02 Copyright 1985-1988 Phoenix Technologies Ltd. Copyright 1090-2004 Dell Computer Corporation all rights Reserved   Dell System Dimension 3000 Series BIOS version A02 www.dell.com   Keyboard Failure     then after a long pause = two bleeps and =   Primary drive 0 not found Primary drive 1 not found Secondary drive 1 not found  Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   Screen 4 , item 3 and item 4  indicate that the hard drive is off / unknown and has vanished, although I am reasonably sure that it is still inside, I have not opened the tower.     Please help. Thank you. Best wishes.   Yours sincerely, XPpro05Dimension3000PhoenixBiosV1 10 A02

kirkd · Answer

You need to go into the BIOS and turn the drives on. Go to the Drives section and press to get into the options and turn the drives on. Follow directions to exit.

Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP / Vista Home Premium, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

Majestic · Answer

XPpro05...   Given the age of the system I would first suggest replacing the motherboard battery.  A failing battery or a battery that had failed will cause hardware detection problems at boot up.  A new 3-Volt, CR2032, coin cell battery can be purchased for around $3 (US) and is available at any Radio Shack, computer stores and most discount stores like Wal-Mart. Click here  Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> for additional information on how to change the battery from your model's on-line service manual.

XPpro05Dimensio · Answer

Dear Dell Forum, KirkD and Majestic,   Thank you for your help. We have got an answer to this problem.   The solution has two parts.   1. Hardware.   2. Bios     1. The main problem was solved by a facinating supervised journey into the Computer Tower. I have never been at this part of a computer operation before.   Work focused on the flat grey cable between the hard drive and the motherBoard. First the connection at the hard drive was carefully removed and carefully replaced. Then, the connection at the motherBoard was likewise removed and replaced.   2. Then, at the bios screen,    Drive configuration   Primary Master Drive          ...  (detected) Hard Drive Primary Slave Drive            ...  (turn) off Secondary Master Drive     ...  CD-ROM Device Secondary Slave Drive       ...  (turn) off   Problem Solved.     I am amazed and delighted that this problem has been cared for so helpfully. Thank you to everyone who helped.    If I may reflect on the experience. The problem has probably existed and developed over a period of weeks. I have made a few errors trying to understand the issues involved but I learned much during the journey.  I am very impressed at the helpfulness of yourselves here at the Dell Forums, the helpfulness and care at Microsoft Technical Support and in particular the helpfulness, patience, carefulness, concern and attention to detail at Dell Dimension Technical Support.  Thank you.   Best Wishes.     Yours sincerely,   XPpro05Dimension3000PhoenixBiosV1 10 A02

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Booting Problem

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