Latitude 3330 BIOS update failure

Hi Edwalin,

Welcome to the Dell Community.

Since the system is not booting to the Desktop screen, Assuming you have Windows 7 Operating System installed on the system.

I would suggest you follow the steps to boot the system into ‘Safe Mode with Networking’ and check.

1. Restart the computer.
2. As the computer boots, press when the Dell Splash Screen appears.
3. Scroll down to option ‘Safe mode with networking’ and Click on ‘Enter’ button.
4. This will boot you into the ‘Safe mode with networking’ and check.

If the system boots into the ‘Safe Mode with Networking’ then the issue seems to be with the drivers.

Let us know your findings.

Thank you, Farooq.

But nothing happened when I press F8. I believe there's something wrong with the BIOS because I can't even enter BIOS setup. When I press F2 while the Dell logo shows up, it  says "Preparing to enter Setup" but it doesn't enter BIOS setup, just stay at this screen for hours...

Is there any way I can reset the BIOS to factory default?

Hi Edwalin,

Apologies in the delayed response, yes we can load the BIOS to Defaults. First we can drain the flea power as Performing Flea power on the system will remove all the voltage from the motherboard components which would make the system start-up fresh.

I would suggest you follow the steps below to Drain the Flea power :

1. Switch off the computer.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter from the system.
3. Remove the battery from the computer.
4. Press and hold down the power button for 15 seconds.
5. Then connect back all the peripherals and check if you are able to turn on the system

Once done, you can follow the steps below the reset/Load Bios to defaults.

Option 1:

1. Reboot the computer.
2. When prompted during POST, press the key to enter the setup screen.
3. On the System Setup screen, press the key to move to the Exit menu.
4. Press the key until Load Optimized Defaults is highlighted.
5. Press the key on Yes to Load Optimized Defaults and restart the computer.

Option 2:

1. Reboot the computer.
2. When prompted during POST, press the key to enter the setup screen.
3. On the System Setup screen, press the key.
4. Press the key on Yes to Load Optimized Defaults and restart the computer.

Please let me know if this helps.

Hi, Farooq

Sorry, it didn't work. I tried your steps several times, even hold down the power button for more than 30 sec. I think it is not the problem of flea power. Back to the original cause, the laptop crashed when updating BIOS. Now it always stops at POST like the image I post previously. I think it is because of the noncompletion of BIOS flashing. Is there any way to flash the BIOS on starting the laptop?

Hi Edwalin,

Looks the Operating System on the system is causing a problem , however I would suggest you that we run a Hardware Diagnostics test on the system to confirm that Hardware functionality.

To run the diagnostics on the computer follow the steps mentioned below and check if there is any issue with the hardware on your system.

1. Turn on or restart the computer.
2. Immediately at the Dell logo screen, starting tapping the key once a second until the One Time Boot menu appears (if the computer boots to Windows turn the computer off and try again).
3. At the One Time Boot menu, press the arrow key to highlight Diagnostics, PSA+ or Enter ePSA, then press to begin the hardware Diagnostics.
4. Write down any error codes listed. Reply to us with the error codes.

Adding to that, Do also let us know if you hear any beep codes as well.

Let us know your findings.

Hi Farooq,

No matter what key I tap at the Dell logo screen, it stops at the Dell logo screen. If I press F2, it says "Preparing to enter Setup". If I press F12, it says "Preparing one-time boot menu". The screen freezes at the Dell logo screen with a status bar which is just exactly the same as the photo I posted earlier. No beep, no error code prompts.

I am quite sure it is the problem of BIOS because all the problem started from the failure of BIOS update. I also tried the HDD on another laptop and it worked fine. Therefore, I am asking if there is any way to flash the BIOS on starting the laptop. Please! 

I have the exact same problem Edwalin. Dell support told me its probably a defective motherboard... :( I've tried the following (without result)

- Remove harddisk

- Remove memory

- Remove bios battery

- Load diagnostic mode

I have the same issue... anyone find a fix or does it have to be sent into dell?

Edit: Looks like warranty is out on this machine, looks like it's dead...

hi  i have the same problem  but i need a masted pasword to reset the bios for a dell 3330  any one can helpme dell support is not helping 

Only Dell Support can do it, and only if you verify yourself as  the registered owner.

Hi,  

We fixed Latitude 3340 (same screen), We unplugged CMOS battery (on the MB), waited and plugged back.

Done !!!

Good luck !

Alex

Thank you very much

This is a late reply but the steps DavidHun posted WORKED! for a Latitude 3330 that was stuck at the Dell logo.  F2 and F12 didn't work (same as OP)