Does it boot normally if the USB DVD/RW drive is not connected?  If so, then this may be similar to the problem people are having with other systems when they attach a USB device that could be bootable.  The solution for them (I think they have the 8300) is to disable the boot options in USB legacy Support.  The documentation that is on the Dell Support site for the 8200 is not detailed enough for me to know whether this option is available in the 8200 BIOS, so I can't tell you if this will work.  If this is the problem, and if there is no option to disable bootable USB devices in the BIOS, then you could try disabling legacy USB support in the BIOS.  The side effect of doing this, however, is that if you have a USB keyboard, it will not work until you get into Windows and thus you will need to attach a PS/2 keyboard if you need the keyboard before Windows loads (i.e. to get into the BIOS).

Steve

Thanks for the quick response, Steve.

I disconnected the USB drive, but there is no change in the boot.  I checked the BIOS for the legacy USB drives.  The only USB devices listed under Integrated Legacy Devices are a USB emulator and a USB controller.  They are both "ON".  I think I need the controller (probably my Promise card).  I have no idea what the emmulator is.  Can that be turned off or is it irrelevant?

Regards,

Jane

The emulator provides USB service before Windows loads.  As I said in my last post if you disable this and have a USB keyboard, you won't be able to use the keyboard until after Windows loads, so you won't be able to get into the BIOS.  If you have a PS/2 keyboard you can try disabling the USB emulation and see if that solves the boot problem.  You will need a PS/2 keyboard because you won't be able to get back into the BIOS to turn the emulation back on if you have a USB keyboard.  I don't know if this will solve your problem or not - it's just one of number of troubleshooting steps you can take.  I suspect the stalled boot is related to the BIOS or Windows trying to locate or load a device, so the troubleshooting steps should be to eliminate devices one at a time. 

Steve

Steve,

I turned the USB emulator in the BIOS off,  to no avail, so I turned it badk to on. 

Interestingly enough, when the computer boots from a shutdown, it boots fine.  It now seems that only on restart does it have the problem.

Are there anymore steps that you know of?

Thanks so much for your help.

Jane

Message Edited by -Friendlyname- on 08-08-2003 01:10 PM

My problem, though a different and older system, is very similar. Haven´t found an answer yet. But have alook to it : XPS-R450 Booting problems after HD upgrade (8/8/03), maybe there are ponts of connection in the setup, besides the symptoms.

petrozz,

I saw your post, but I can't see how a larger HD would use more power than a smaller one.  But if that indeed is the case, then we might both have a power issue.  I don't know enough to connect a power issue to the Restart/POST.  I am about to install a larger PSU that I just received.  So, we shall soon see.  One other difference is that my system does all the hanging before the BIOS (when I choose to enter it) after which it normally proceeds to Windows. 

Also I wonder if all the power connectors are in all the way.  I could have dislodged one when I was reseating my drives.

I'll post back with my results.  If anyone else has an idea, please reply.

Thank you both,

Jane

In my case, hanging occurs just before the beep, after displaying IDE list, and there is no way to access the setup menu.

The listing shows one peculiarity: When failing to boot, the line describing the HP CD-RW has garbled characters. The other lines for the other two drives display ok.

After complete shutdown, the whole listing comes with normal spelling, and accordingly allows to enter setup menu or loading windows.

It could be a power issue. Seems you will have the chance to try with your larger PS.

 

Hi petrozz,

Well I can save you the trouble.  The larger PS doesn't make any difference with the boot problem.  I'd sure like to troubleshoot this.

Good luck,

Jane

Hi Jane,

    In bios are all drives set to auto, under the boot option is quick boot enabled, and finally which drive is the first boot device?  Setting HDD as first, removable media second (floppy drive), cd as third. Also if you have the bios option of USB as a bootable device, disable it until they come up with a bios fix for some known issues with it.

    Do you have the bios option USB Emulation? If you do change from On to No Boot.  This has been causing a few problems with people having external media drives.

                                                                                                                                                                            7

Message Edited by se7en5ive2 on 08-09-2003 09:18 AM

Hi Se7,

I've tried all of your suggestions to no avail. 

Now I can't even shut down without using the Power button.  I'm going to try to find the links for shutdown problems. 

If anyone can help, it's much appreciated.

Thanks Se7 for the suggestions.

Jane