Dell Inspiron 1545 Problem with Logging On

Before doing anything further, run an extended test on the hard drive -- F12 at powerup to get into the diagnostics.

Hi Mark93,

When did the issue start? What is the OS installed on the system? Could you try using the built in admin account and login and check?

After checking the HW functionality as advised by ejn63, try the following:

If you are running Windows 7 - then restart the system and press f8 key - advanced boot options - select command prompt and see this link to enable to built in admin - http://bit.ly/1Bgok2R

You could try a system restore and restore the system to an earlier point where it was working fine.

If you choose to restore the system to factory settings, then from advance boot options, select repair your computer and choose Dell backup and restore - and perform a clean restore - without saving any previous data. It will restore the system to factory settings.

Keep us updated.

Hi Rishi,

Thanks for the reply!

The problem actually occurred a couple of years ago, but because I have another laptop, I wasn't really bothered with it. However, I really need to get it fixed now for various reasons. 

The laptop has Windows Vista. What would I have to do to restore factory settings for Vista? 

I am just trying the recommended diagnostics that ejn63 suggested. However, I have tried this before, but it didn't report anything, but I'll do it again to make sure. 

Thanks.

Hi Rishi,

I have completed the diagnostic, but when it got to the end, it said to press any key to reboot, which I did, then it froze. I left it for a good 30 mins, and it was still frozen. When I pressed ESC to abort, it didn't do anything. So I have had to switch off the laptop. 

Any hint of what's causing it to freeze?

Thanks.

Hi Mark93,

Thank you for the update.

Well, the system freezing while in diags is not a good sign.

Does the system overheat? Would you remember any bluescreens or system crashes?

Restart the system and press f2 key to enter BIOS. DO NOT make any changes here. Leave the system in BIOS as long as you can, with the adapter plugged in. You would notice there is a system clock that would keep ticking. Now, at any point, when you check the system, if this clock stops ticking / is frozen - there is a hardware failure on the machine. I would suspect the motherboard mainly and secondly the memory modules.

To isolate the source - Download the service manual - http://dell.to/1iZgjLf - remove one RAM module and restart the system and press f12 key and run the diags and extended memory test. Likewise, run the test for each RAM module and if the memory test passes, the motherboard is suspected faulty.

If the system does not freeze in BIOS or while in diags again and if extended memory tests passes on both RAM modules, then you could reinstall the OS or reset the system to factory settings.

Press f8 key on restart -> Repair your computer -> dell backup and recovery -> follow the onscreen instructions and click on restore.

Keep us updated.

Hi,

I've switched the laptop on and pressed F2, but I can't see any clock. All I have is a screen that has various settings down the left hand side of the screen. The title at the top of the screen "Del Inc. Inspiron 1545".

Thanks.

Hi Rishi,

I tried the F8 repair, but it led me to the "Other User" login, and when I try to log in, it says that the domain can't be found. 

Also, when I enter BIOS, I can't see any system clock. 

Thanks.

Hi Mark93,

Apologies for delay in response.

Restart the system and press f2 key to enter BIOS. On the left side, you see a list of options -> General -> date and time - you will find the info there.

You can view the system clock on that screen and observe the system.

Did you run the diags on each memory module as advised earlier?

You would have to keep tapping on f8 key to enter advanced boot options, once you get to that screen, you will see the dell backup and recovery as the last option.

If that does not work, then try the built in admin - http://bit.ly/1Bgok2R

Keep us updated.

Hi Rishi,

Forgive my very delayed response.

I left the laptop in BIOS for as long as I could and the clock didn't freeze. 

Should I now check the RAM modules?

Thanks.

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the update.

Please read through my previous post and try the steps suggested and respond in detail to each.

Keep us updated.

Hi Rishi,

The part of the diagnostic that seems to freeze is the part where it says "Booting Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue." When I press any key, nothing seems to happen. I have left the laptop on for some time to see if it will work, but nothing seems to happen. Even when I press Esc to abort, nothing happens. I haven't had time yet to look at the modules, but I thought I'd look at the diagnostic and see if it will work if I leave it on for some time. The laptop doesn't overheat, it just gets a bit warm from being on. 

Thanks,

Mark

Hi Mark,

Run the extended memory diags and keep us updated.

If you have a similar machine / model - could you try swapping the HDD and check if another HDD works fine on this machine and if this HDD works fine on another machine?

Keep us updated.