Click the link below to clear the cmos.nvram by removing the cmos battery. Click the link below for more information. Also, unplug all devices that are connected to the system and then try entering the bios.
I had already followed these instructions. It seems to have successfully cleared the NVRAM memory and reset the BIOS since on next reboot I had a message telling me that the system time needed to be adjusted (F1 to continue, F2 to enter BIOS settings). F2 still gave me a blank screen.
When you suggest to unplug all devices, are you referring to external devices only? (as opposed to internal devices such as wifi card etc).
I also re-flashed the latest BIOS from Dell (A20) which was successful but did not resolve the issue (USB stick booting to DOS then running the Dell E6530A20.exe file).
Last thing I tried was to disconnect the laptop screen and use an external monitor connected to the VGA port. I was able to see the Dell logo then hit F2 but same result as with the laptop screen: blank.
One important observation: The external monitor did not enter sleep mode even after waiting for a while (normally the monitor goes to sleep/standby when the video signal is cut-off). That seems to indicate that the laptop does enter BIOS settings and just waits there. Is it possible that somehow the BIOS outputs some strange resolution that the screen or monitor cannot render? (but it was displaying fine before).
This seems like a software issue because if I don't hit F2 at boot, the PC posts and load Windows 7 without a glitch.
I'm at a total loss here and would really appreciate any advice from someone more knowledgeable than myself. I thought I had a good high-level understanding of BIOS functionalities, but this is way over my head.
Is it possible that after re-flashing the BIOS, some settings are still kept in memory somehow? (this computer has 2 BIOS)?
DELL-Jesse L
Moderator
•
17.9K Posts
0
November 13th, 2017 09:00
GoGet it,
Click the link below to clear the cmos.nvram by removing the cmos battery. Click the link below for more information. Also, unplug all devices that are connected to the system and then try entering the bios.
How to Perform a BIOS or CMOS Reset and/or Clear the NVRAM on your Dell System
Click the link below to download the online manual for information removing/replacing parts in your computer
Dell E6530 Drivers Downloads and Manuals
GoGet it
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
November 13th, 2017 15:00
Thank you for your answer Jesse.
I had already followed these instructions. It seems to have successfully cleared the NVRAM memory and reset the BIOS since on next reboot I had a message telling me that the system time needed to be adjusted (F1 to continue, F2 to enter BIOS settings). F2 still gave me a blank screen.
When you suggest to unplug all devices, are you referring to external devices only? (as opposed to internal devices such as wifi card etc).
I also re-flashed the latest BIOS from Dell (A20) which was successful but did not resolve the issue (USB stick booting to DOS then running the Dell E6530A20.exe file).
Last thing I tried was to disconnect the laptop screen and use an external monitor connected to the VGA port. I was able to see the Dell logo then hit F2 but same result as with the laptop screen: blank.
One important observation: The external monitor did not enter sleep mode even after waiting for a while (normally the monitor goes to sleep/standby when the video signal is cut-off). That seems to indicate that the laptop does enter BIOS settings and just waits there. Is it possible that somehow the BIOS outputs some strange resolution that the screen or monitor cannot render? (but it was displaying fine before).
This seems like a software issue because if I don't hit F2 at boot, the PC posts and load Windows 7 without a glitch.
I'm at a total loss here and would really appreciate any advice from someone more knowledgeable than myself. I thought I had a good high-level understanding of BIOS functionalities, but this is way over my head.
Is it possible that after re-flashing the BIOS, some settings are still kept in memory somehow? (this computer has 2 BIOS)?
Thank you for your help.