XPS Notebooks: Ruling out a change to the BIOS default settings has caused a No POST / No Boot / HDD or SDD not detected issue

• The Notebook powers on but has no video or is not able to get past the Dell splash screen or enter the BIOS (It may shut down.)
• The Caps Lock key will not illuminate when toggled (Pressed repeatedly.)
• The Hard Drive activity light is not flickering and may be off or permanently on
• Diagnostic codes may be present (These can vary depending on the system.)
  • The Power button flashes a repeating code
  • The Power button is off, flashing or solid on, with a numeric code displayed in LEDs (They may be on the back of some systems.)
  • There are audible beeps in a repeating code heard
• For information on computer beep codes, refer to the table in your systems User Manual
• For information on Notebook LED codes, refer to the table in your systems User Manual

• The Notebook powers on, has video and proceeds past the Dell splash screen (The splash screen comes on and goes away) but does not boot into the Windows operating system
• The Caps Lock key will illuminate when toggled (Pressed repeatedly.)
• The Hard Drive activity light may flicker, stay on or be permanently off
• You may see an error message across the screen
• No diagnostic codes seen or heard and the power button will light up solid with its normal operating colour
• The usual Operating System start-up sounds will not be heard

• The Notebook powers on, has video and proceeds past the Dell splash screen (The splash screen comes on and goes away) but does not boot into the Windows operating system
• The Notebook gives an onscreen error message advising that "No HDD was detected"
• The Notebook gives an onscreen error message advising that "No SDD was detected"
• The Notebook gives an onscreen error message advising that "No Boot Drive was detected"
• The Notebook Hard Drive activity light is permanently off
• No diagnostic codes seen or heard and the power button will light up solid with its normal operating colour

1. Check the current operating system on the PC is supported on your model by referring to the Dell support website to see if that operating system is supported.

   1. Go to the support site and enter your Service Tag or Express Service Tag

   2. Click on the Drivers and Downloads drawer

   3. Click on the Change OS button to see the operating systems supported on your PC

2. Enter the systems BIOS by rapidly tapping on the F2 key during the systems start-up and reset the BIOS settings to factory defaults by pressing the Alt + F keys or alternatively by clicking on the Restore Settings button.

3. After resetting the BIOS settings to factory defaults, check that all of the individual Boot settings are correct by referring to the matrix table.

If you are still experiencing No POST or No Boot issues after this or are unable to enter the BIOS, then please check out the following link for further troubleshooting steps to identify your issue:

• Resolve No Power, No POST, No Boot or No Video issues with your Dell Computer

If you don't install the IRST driver onto the Operating System (OS) DVD or USB key before they attempt the install (windows, not Ubuntu), they may encounter “HDD/SSD not detected” symptoms.

Troubleshooting:

1. Was a recent operating system install attempted?

   1. If it was, did you install the IRST driver on the OS DVD or USB key, prior to the installation attempt?

   2. If not, download the F6 iRST driver from the Dell support site onto a USB key and then retry the OS install on your own system again.

If you are still experiencing HDD not detected issues after this, then Please check out the following link for further troubleshooting steps to identify your issue:

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    Source additional information on Hard Drives and Solid State Drives on our support page.