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gekkoa

16 Posts

113412

January 5th, 2007 20:00

My new Precision 390 wont boot-up - help please

My new Precision 390 wont boot-up - it doesnt get beyond the Dell logo page (which displays "BIOS Revision 1.0.5"). The Dell log screen disappears after 2 seconds, then comes back after 3 seconds then disappears again, comes back, goes etc., etc.,

There are no diagnostic beeps to report, and the diagnostic lights are changing the whole time ( until I install the diagnostic cd when they settle).

Ive run the diagnostic tests from the CD (cant do it from Hard Drive) and no faults to report.

Is Windows installed on the machine? Im not sure. Theres a windows logo on the tower! Anyway, I stuck in an XP disc to see if I could do something but nothing happens.

What to do. Help please.

mombodog

12.7K Posts

January 6th, 2007 02:00

Unplug all devices and cables from the PC except for the power cord, monitor, keyboard and mouse. and try to boot. If it does, then you have to plug things back in 1 at a time and try to boot, untill you find the one that is causing this condition.

gekkoa

16 Posts

January 6th, 2007 06:00

No devices connected, not even a mouse - just a keyboard, so this possible solution not applicable

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 7th, 2007 10:00

Sounds to me like the BIOS reset jumper is engaged.
 
  Just an idea.

gekkoa

16 Posts

January 8th, 2007 08:00

How would I tackle that problem Smoothmove?

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 10:00

they have a "pull tab" on them so they will pull off.  They are not soldered on.
 
 I would try pulling the battery first.  It is the easiest.  Pull it, wait a minute and turn it back on.
 
 That will reset the bios as well.

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 10:00

It would be a green jumper on the middle- right side of the mobo.  It would be #9 on the schmatic of the mobo from the Dell owner's manual.
 
  IF not    try unplugging the computer and remove the CMOS-  round silver battery and leave it out for about a minute.    Put it back in and try to boot up.  A bios setting may have gone bad. 
 
 When is the last time you updated the bios?
 
 
 

gekkoa

16 Posts

January 8th, 2007 10:00

Do the password (PSWD) and (RTCRST) jumpers unplug - ie., if i steadily pull on them im not going to rip out a soldered connection ami I?

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 10:00

Oh,  there are tow positions for that cmos jumper, CHECK the owners manual for the correct positon. 
 
< ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
 
 
 
 
  ON the schmatic the cmos (#9) and the password jumpers (#23) fromt the first link I on this reply.
 
   

Clearing CMOS Settings

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

  1. Follow the procedures in Before You Begin.

  2. Remove the computer cover (see Removing the Computer Cover).

  3. Reset the current CMOS settings:

    1. Locate the password (PSWD) and (RTCRST) jumpers on the system board (see System Board Components).

    1. Remove the password from its pins.

    2. Place the password jumper plug on the RTCRST pins and wait approximately 5 seconds.

    3. Remove the jumper plug from the RTCRST pins and place it back on the password pins.

  4. Replace the computer cover. See Replacing the Computer Cover.



NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug it into the computer.

  1. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.


 

  If I get a call from Dell with a job offer, I am blaming this post. :smileyvery-happy:

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 10:00

you will have to UNPLUG the computer BEFORE pulling the battery
 

gekkoa

16 Posts

January 8th, 2007 11:00

Hi Smoothmove
Million thanks - removal and replacement of battery has sorted this out.But:-

Subsequently got a message, something like "previous Fan failure and Battery Low Voltage warning".

I have checked checked the battery and it is fine (3v)

Now getting two beeps and "Floppy diskette seek failure. Strike F1 to continue or F2 to run setup".

The funny thing is I dont have a floppy disc drive. When Ive gone to f2 and swithched the Diskette Drive off I am returned to the Dell Logo page loop.

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 11:00

When you clear the bios by removing the battery, it will reset everything to factory settings.
 
 You need to go into the bios and turn the floppy drive to Off or None.
 
  The low battery may be from a bad battery or simply because you  removed it.   Previos fan failure may have been a fluke or one of the fans are not working.  Check the,
 
 
 I am glad to hear it works.    I am surprised Dell did not tell you to do that first.
 
 
  Stan

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 12:00

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

 
 
  Get into windows and update your bios.    Try it and let me know if it solves it.
 
 You have an old bios version.  There is the above update.

gekkoa

16 Posts

January 8th, 2007 12:00

Probably sounds like a dum question but I cant figure out the answer - how do I switch of Floppy Drive. Ive been into bios set-up and cant find this. And as I mentioned earlier, I switched off the "Diskette Drive" but when I exited the set-up i was stuck in the Dell Logo loop again.
I checked out another computer I have and the it was obvious how to find this stuff, but cant find it on this Dell one

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 12:00

What Bios version are you using?
 
 
  You can tell in the initial boot up screen.   Write it down and post it.
 
Thanks, Stan

smoothmove

63 Posts

January 8th, 2007 12:00

Dell WS390 BIOS Release Notes
Copyright 2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Added SLP2.0 Support
2. Added Preboot Authentication Support
3. New Processor Support
4. Enhanced legacy PCI and PCI-E support
5. Improved sleep state resume times
6. Enhanced Flash program
7. Corrected text in setup
8. Enhanced Fan Control
9. Multiple SMBIOS Improvements
10. Enhancements for EXTCD.SYS driver
11. Added support for Intel's On-Screen Branding, version 3.51
12. Enabled floppy change line support

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