Correct Boot Sequence?

Question

I have a Dell Dimension 4700c and am in need of the correct boot sequence for this model! I have no floppy drive so should it be listed first anyway? My only other drives are the CD Rom and my Hard Drive. My computer is starting up slowly! After I see the picture on my desktop the icons take 3 minutes to appear.

volcano11 · Answer

On computer with no floppy drive, either remove the floppy drive fromt the boot sequence altogether or put it last in the sequence. In case you ever need to boot from a CD, put the CD drive first. It will only boot from that drive if it contains a bootable CD-ROM.

Steve

Majestic · Answer

The George, also make sure the option for Diskette Drive is turned OFF.  This option can be found under the Drives heading of the BIOS Setup. Message Edited by Majestic on 07-03-2005 07:52 AM

The George · Answer

Actually in my BIOS it lists my floppy as being 'Not Present'. Then it's my CD Rom drive and then my Hard Drive. That sounds like a good order huh??? Thanks for all the help bye the way guys!!!

Majestic · Answer

There is no 'perfect' boot order.  Whatever you are comfortable with is Ok.  Some people like the hard drive listed first in the boot sequence to speed up the boot time.  Other people like me don't really worry about the lost seconds and leave the hard drive as the second boot device.  On my system I have the floppy first, hard drive second and CD third.   Is the lag you are experiencing occurring before the Windows logo appears or after?  If lag is appearing after the Windows logo is displayed then the delayed boot up is more than likely related to the operating system or an application that is loading during the start of Windows.

The George · Answer

Well folks......the lag is actually occurring after the windows XP screen appears. I see the blue welcome screen appear and it seems to hang there for a bit then my desktop picture appears about a minute later, then a big delay of about 3 minutes before my icons all appear and are functional! The funny thing is after reading several posts here, my problem seems to be possibly stemming from my DSL modem. Although when my system was new about a month ago it never had this problem!

You see my problem originally began whenever my system called for a system Restart, like after updating my Virus Definitions etc.Then the computer would begin the restart but instead of launching Windows XP it would bring me to this black screen with only a couple of options. I think one option was the F1 Key to retry the boot (nothing happened after pressing it) and the other option was the F12 Key which brought up the BIOS I think??? So I called Dell tech support to see if they could remedy this problem and they had me go into the BIOS and run a Harddrive diagnostic test (which passed) and they had me open the "Drives" folder and check them there! Thus the "Boot sequence" post! I did notice though that it was saying my SATO Hard drive was "Not Present". Now how can that be??? It seems that the computer is not recognizing my Hard Drive !! So the guy at DELL tech support tells me to unplug the tower and open the case and unplug the wiring from the hard drive to the motherboard and the power supply cables too, then reseat them! After all this he tells me to reboot and see what happens. It seemed to fix it at first as a restart would be normal.

So... after all that it seems to have created this next problem of a slow startup. I would have been happier leaving it alone the way it was! After all I could just use the power button on my tower and the system would re-start normally! But NOOOOOO! Dell guys must have bumsteared me.

Like I said before that I had read posts here about slow startups being related to a DSL modem I am leary of trying their fixes because I am not positive it is my modem! I mean when I first setup my system it all ran fine (except for the restart issue). It started quickly and everything!

What's going on here???????

dell 4700c

Message Edited by The George on 07-04-2005 09:10 AM

Message Edited by The George on 07-04-2005 05:00 PM

Majestic · Answer

Since the lag is related to the operating system you may want to post your problem over in the Software - Windows XP forum.  The software forums have a much larger audience as compared to the BIOS forum and would be the best place to try to resolve your problem.  You can click here for a direct link to that forum.

The George · Answer

Well folks after all my troubles with my system and countless efforts through Dell's tech support we have come to the conclusion that my BIOS is corrupt and they will be sending someone to replace the motherboard next week! All the tests they had me do on the hard drive have passed. My system will no matter what I do will NOT detect my hard drive upon a restart and under the "Boot Sequence" it constantly lists my SATA drive as being "not present". So a new motherboard is on the way!

Hopefully that is the end of my troubles! I just wanted to let all of you know how greatfull I am to all of your replies to my posts! You all were great! Thanks people! I am sure that in the future I will need this forum again!

Majestic · Answer

Thanks for posting back with an update.  With everything you have tried thus far the replacement of the motherboard is the next logical step and it should resolve your problem.  Let us know what happens.

The George · Answer

I'll let you know what happens after that!! Should be sometime this week! Is that a long process to do? Replacing the motherboard?

George

Dell 4700c,Pentium 4,3.00 gigahertz, 512 MB RAM,
Win XP Home, TSSTcorp CDRW/DVD TSL462C(CD-ROM drive). High
Speed D-Link ADSL modem MODEL#DSL-300G
Norton Anti Virus 2004, Spybot, AdAware.

Majestic · Answer

Replacing the motherboard is really not a complicate job and can be fairly easy.  The main thing is to take your time and don't force anything during the removal or re-installation process.  While working inside the system pay particular attention to static electricity and when re-installing the board don't overtighten the screws.  You can click here for your model's on-line User Guide and the section pertaining to the motherboard removal.

Majestic · Answer

The swapping of your motherboard won't cause the loss of any data on your hard drive.  The only settings lost will be any settings you personalized in the BIOS Setup since the system was new.   Those can be easily changed back again to the way you had them when the tech leaves.      While the tech is there you might ask him or her to make sure your Service Tag number is installed in the new motherboard's BIOS.   I would think he or she would have the utility program to do it.  That will save you the hassle of trying to do it later on when you realize the number isn't there in the BIOS.

The George · Answer

Hey!! I just got a call from the tech guy and he is coming this afternoon around 2pm or so!

Changing my motherboard ??? Will I lose data? What will I lose ? Anything? Besides a bum board.

George

Dell 4700c,Pentium 4,3.00 gigahertz, 512 MB RAM,
Win XP Home, TSSTcorp CDRW/DVD TSL462C(CD-ROM drive). High
Speed D-Link ADSL modem MODEL#DSL-300G
Norton Anti Virus 2004, Spybot, AdAware.

Majestic · Answer

The replacement of the motherboard by a tech is even better yet.  As for how long it takes the tech to do it....  I really can't say for sure.  My best guess, with an experienced person doing the replacement, it should take about an hour or less.

The George · Answer

Cool!! But the dude from Dell will be doing it not me!! I just wondered how long it might take him but that don't really matter does it. As long as I get my system fixed!

George

Dell 4700c,Pentium 4,3.00 gigahertz, 512 MB RAM,
Win XP Home, TSSTcorp CDRW/DVD TSL462C(CD-ROM drive). High
Speed D-Link ADSL modem MODEL#DSL-300G
Norton Anti Virus 2004, Spybot, AdAware.

The George · Answer

I will do that then!

Thanks again.

George

Dell 4700c,Pentium 4,3.00 gigahertz, 512 MB RAM,
Win XP Home, TSSTcorp CDRW/DVD TSL462C(CD-ROM drive). High
Speed D-Link ADSL modem MODEL#DSL-300G
Norton Anti Virus 2004, Spybot, AdAware.

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Correct Boot Sequence?

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