If you can't access the BIOS at startup that would indicate a hardware problem in the machine. Windows is not loaded at that point and thus has nothing to do with not being able to access the BIOS. Windows is loaded (or at least starts to load) after the POST (Power On Self Test) and the BIOS is accessed and loaded.
Most Dell's come with hardware diagnostics on the hard drive (or at least was there when you got it). F12 will access a menu and one option should be diagnostics. Suggest you run a complete diagnostic before going any further.
If you are in the US, you can request a replacement set of discs from Dell HERE
I found the daignostic utilities and ran them.On the first BIOS diag test, error 1000-0123 on memory and then on the Dell Utility code 2f00:0119. The utility test failed on the system memory:MATS and March A tests - both on 'suspected memory component located on system board at label DIMM_A'.
That is some replacement memory DIMM 2 1024mb I fitted about 2 years ago, been running fine. Thought I would try and re-seat it to see if it made a difference. Now the computer just won't do anything, when I hit the power button it does not come on. Should have left it alone! It is now doing a good impression of an out of the water boat anchor at the moment :-) .
So now I have 3 options, buy some new memory and fit it and see if that resolves it OR place a call with Dell and pay exorbitant rates to Dell Inc. to get my system working again, or cut my losses and just buy a new system since this one is very slow these days anyway even when working well.
fireberd
9 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2010 05:00
If you can't access the BIOS at startup that would indicate a hardware problem in the machine. Windows is not loaded at that point and thus has nothing to do with not being able to access the BIOS. Windows is loaded (or at least starts to load) after the POST (Power On Self Test) and the BIOS is accessed and loaded.
Most Dell's come with hardware diagnostics on the hard drive (or at least was there when you got it). F12 will access a menu and one option should be diagnostics. Suggest you run a complete diagnostic before going any further.
If you are in the US, you can request a replacement set of discs from Dell HERE
waxman59
2 Posts
0
November 8th, 2010 22:00
Thanks Firebird,
I found the daignostic utilities and ran them.On the first BIOS diag test, error 1000-0123 on memory and then on the Dell Utility code 2f00:0119. The utility test failed on the system memory:MATS and March A tests - both on 'suspected memory component located on system board at label DIMM_A'.
That is some replacement memory DIMM 2 1024mb I fitted about 2 years ago, been running fine. Thought I would try and re-seat it to see if it made a difference. Now the computer just won't do anything, when I hit the power button it does not come on. Should have left it alone! It is now doing a good impression of an out of the water boat anchor at the moment :-) .
So now I have 3 options, buy some new memory and fit it and see if that resolves it OR place a call with Dell and pay exorbitant rates to Dell Inc. to get my system working again, or cut my losses and just buy a new system since this one is very slow these days anyway even when working well.
Anyway thanks for your tips.