Boot Error - Help

Question

I have a Dimension 4600 with 1GB ram, 1x 40Gb HDD, 1x200Gb HDD, 1x SATA 160GBHD, Radeon 9800 pro. This system is barely 18 months old. I have not made any modification (new H/W) to the PC for at least  6 months. Suddenly, 2 days back, the PC has started having problems booting up - it will just hang at the start of the bios booting or a couple of times after logging into windows would just hang. I have not been able to get it to work today. The last time I tried to get it to boot up it gave me the following error 'Alert!  Previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint [Krst]'   Has anyone else seen such a problem before? Any suggestions as to what might be causing this? The only thing different in the last few days is it has been quite hot - but I didnt see this issue last year.

Majestic · Answer

'Alert!  Previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint [Krst]'   Unfortunately the checkpoint error code isn't of much help since their is no master list of what these error codes messages mean.  An oversight on Dell's part I assume.  There have been some past postings in the various forums here that seem to indicate a keyboard problem.  If you have a spare keyboard laying around then I would give that a try.  Also check the back of the system to see if the diagnostic lights are indicating an error code which may further narrow down the problem.  You can click here for an explanation of those error codes from your model's on-line Service Manual.  If the light error codes aren't of much help then try doing a clearing of the NVRAM by following the procedure I have listed below.  This procedure can be useful in resolving boot up problems and is safe to do as it won't harm the system or the data stored on it.  If all else fails then click here for the results of a search of the forums and review some of the postings for solutions.     Try clearing the NVRAM (CMOS) to see if it resolves the boot problem.  Possibly the information stored in the NVRAM (CMOS) became corrupted which is not uncommon.  Normally you would clear the NVRAM (CMOS) by entering the BIOS Setup, but it would appear that you can not do so.  The alternative would be to remove the battery from the motherboard to clear the NVRAM (CMOS).  With the machine unplugged from the wall remove the battery from the motherboard.  Then with the machine still unplugged press the On button for 15 seconds to dissipate any remaining electrical charge on the motherboard.  Then re-install the battery, plug the machine back into the wall and see if it will boot normally.   'The only thing different in the last few days is it has been quite hot - but I didnt see this issue last year.'   If it has been a while since you cleaned your system then the interior maybe full of dust which is limiting the effectiveness of the cooling fans.  To clean the system just go to your local computer store, Radio Shack or office supply store and purchase a can of compressed air.  I take my system outside on the picnic table, open it up and clean it.  Remember to blow out the cooling fans as well.

Trevvor · Answer

Thanks very much Majesic, I tried clearing the NVRAM as you suggested. However that did not solve the problem. I also cleaned the fan fins and the heat sink above the processor - no effect. Also with more experimentation, I can see this problem is not heat related.

The diagnostic Lights A,B,C,D appear as G, Y, Y, G. (The yellow look more like orange to me though). The code is unfortunately not listed in Dells error code section. Also the front lights are green for power and HDD. The HDD stays steady green - this should normally be flickering as the drive was accessed.

I have tried unplugging each of the PCI & AGP cards attached to the motherboard - no effect.

Also tried unplugging power connections to each of the drives including the floppy drive - still no effect.

While rebooting over the course of these trials, I have got a few more error codes - "Urst" & "Poke".

However once everything is reconnected back as originally, I continue to see the error code "Krst" consistently.

I will go through the other posts with "Krst" error mentioned. I had done a search of the forum earlier and nothing popped up - wierd :)

Connected the PC's USB keyboard to my laptop and it works fine. Will borrow another keyboard tomorrow to see if that can be the issue.

Message Edited by Trevvor on 07-04-200605:41 PM

Majestic · Answer

Sounds like you are taking the right steps in trying to trouble-shoot the problem.  Don't forget to try disconnecting all USB devices attached to the system to see if the problem goes away.  A faulty USB mouse is always a possibility.     As for the Dell search function for the forums, it isn't the best feature of Dell's web site.  Some days it works and some days it don't.  Kind of a hit & miss type of thing.  :smileysurprised:

Trevvor · Answer

Thanks very much for your help   I thought I should just update this  post in case someone faces a similar problem. I ended up disconnecting everything, including all memory chips and then one by one reattached/connected things up. The computer gave the folowing exact error codes in sequence. No Memory - GYYY 1 Stick        - YGYG Video Card - GGGY then followed by each device/card.   Bottom line: As far as I can make out, this 'major' problem I faced was due to one of the memory cards being loose (not that you can tell this with any certainty as the cards appeared secure earlier). The reason I suspect this is while installing the RAM one by one, the last one gave me a wierd error - It did not boot and instead displayed a blizzard on the screen (fuzz). I pulled out the card and then reinserted it pushing it in hard.     I also had to change the BIOS settings to get the computer to recognize any HDDs, once it did everything booted up properly.   So the PC works and now boots with zero errors and with everything connected up exactly as before the problem occured. What more can I say, except 'All's Well That Ends Well'

Majestic · Answer

Thanks for posting back with an update.  Your information may help others with a similar problem.    Glad to hear the problem is resolved.

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Boot Error - Help

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