Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
12 Posts
0
25457
January 2nd, 2003 13:00
Dell Dimension 4100 bootup problems
Hi,
I have a Dell Dimension 4100 system and here are the specs:-
- P3-800EB
- 815E chipset-based mobo (using latest A11 version BIOS)
- 512MB PC-133 SDRAM (2 x 256MB Apacer modules)
- 120 GB hard disk space (1 x 40GB Maxtor D740X + 1 x 80GB Maxtor D740X)
- 64MB nVIDIA GeForce 2 Ultra AGP 4x graphics card
- Creative SB Live! DE 5.1
- Creative 56K internal PCI modem
- Realtek RTL8029AS PCI ethernet card
- Pioneer DVD-106s 16x DVD-ROM drive
- Yamaha CRW3200E 24x10x40 CDRW drive
- Dell Quietkey Keyboard
- Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer USB
- Dell E770s 17 inch CRT monitor
Recently I have been encountering this very erratic behavior on my system. Everytime I cold-start my PC, my monitor screen is blank (but the monitor's LED is blinking), and there will be several beeping sounds from my system, but the hard disk will still load and even boot into Windows. I even checked the four LED at the back of my pc, but the lights are all green (healthy state).
When I shutdown my PC and restarted it, the monitor will be back online again and when I entered the BIOS setup to read the POST log events... this is the message I obtained:
CMOS Configuration Error
But after I checked through all the settings, I found nothing wrong... I never changed any settings even before I had this problem. Then I tried clearing the NVRAM (via jumper and via BIOS setting) and wait till later to cold-start my PC.... same old problem. Then I even changed my CMOS battery.... and wait till later to cold start my PC .... still the same problem. I tried pulling out my ram and other cards... and reslotting back in their proper positon and I even secured all cable connections to my devices... the problem prevails. I won't suspect the FlashBIOS version A11 because I have been using it for many months and has given me no trouble. I even tried wiping the CMOS battery to make sure the contact is clean... PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
I am really frustrated now. This problem only happens when I cold-start my system. But after it had booted to windows and I restarted my windows... then my monitor will be back online, no beeps from the system, POST is okay and everything seems to be working like clockwork. I played my games, I watched my movies, I surfed the net, etc.... everything is working fine... no hardware error symptoms... no irq conflicts whatsoever.... just perfect.
What is actually the problem? Does anybody have a similar predicament to mine? Please help. I'm going nuts becoz of this erratic behavior.
Message Edited by nickcwj on 01-02-2003 11:11 PM
The_Namek
2 Intern
•
2.8K Posts
0
January 2nd, 2003 13:00
I find it curious that you won't suspect a problem with the BIOS itself when all indications seem to be pointing to it. The only other thing I'd recommend is cold booting the system with all cards except video removed and both optical drives disconnected. If the CMOS error still occurs then the next logical step is to re-flash the BIOS.
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 3rd, 2003 00:00
Thnx for the advice. Perhaps I was so frustrated until I had overlooked the solution u provided me just now. I will try out your solution. Hopefully it will solve this erratic problem.
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 3rd, 2003 11:00
But what if after reflashing the BIOS would not solve my problem, then what should I do? ... My Dell Dimension 4100 is more than 2 years old... and for sure the hardware warranty is long overdued... then how can I get a BIOS replacement for my PC?
The_Namek
2 Intern
•
2.8K Posts
0
January 3rd, 2003 23:00
One step at a time. I have a rule of not dealing in "what ifs" unless they actually occur.
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 5th, 2003 21:00
Ok, I've finally managed to try out your solution to my problem. Firstly, I dislodged all cards except for the video card and I even disconnected my optical drives. The problem still persists.
Before I attempted to reflash my BIOS, I ran Dell Diagnostics (the latest version available for download ~ 5 diskettes) and the results were flawless. Not a scratch. After that, I reflashed my BIOS from my current version A11 to a previous version >> A10. Then I reflashed my BIOS back to A11 and waited till next morning to cold start my PC...... the problem still persists. I'm very frustrated about this problem. Please help.
Thnx
Thereal-dbk4297
4 Apprentice
•
3.4K Posts
0
January 5th, 2003 22:00
Hi,
When you say the system beeps at startup, haw many beeps is it?
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information
Find the ...
"How much can my system hold?"
"What kind is it?"
... and other memory information.
Pam G.
202 Posts
0
January 5th, 2003 22:00
Try swapping monitors for a known working one. Try reseating video card. Try swapping video cards for a known working one. I had this exact same erratic behaviour on my son's 4100. Turned out to be a two-fold problem: monitor went bad & the video card needed to be reseated at the same time. Although the video card seemed to be snug in it's slot, I had to really push it in there (be sure not to warp the system board). I wonder about the AGP slots on the 4100s.
The beeping may be due to a loose video card (which gives very distinctive beeps at boot-up if it's loose enough or absent). Monitor problems won't cause post beeps, but I just mention it because of the situation I had (both problems at the same time).
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 5th, 2003 22:00
If i'm not mistaken, it's 5 beeps.... and I believe the Dimension 4100 is using an American Megatrends BIOS... (I noticed a SMSC branded chip on the mobo with the tiny little words stating American Megatrends. And I just checked out this site >> http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/ami.htm
It states that 5 beeps indicate a processor failure. Any other further suggestions, advice, or recommendation for further troubleshooting? Coz it's impossible to find a P3 cpu in this P4 era.
Thnx
Thereal-dbk4297
4 Apprentice
•
3.4K Posts
0
January 5th, 2003 22:00
Hi again,
Count the beeps again.
Dell does not use standard beep codes, none are listed for five beeps.
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dzuul/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes
Mis Dos Centavos,
Darrell
Helping Dell talkers here since 1997
Memory upgrade information
Find the ...
"How much can my system hold?"
"What kind is it?"
... and other memory information.
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 6th, 2003 01:00
I've already tried reseating the video card.... the problem only happens when cold-starting the system (it's sumthin like starting ur car the first thing in a cold morning). The monitor's screen is only blank for that moment while the LED blinks.
But after booting into windows xp (without anything on screen) and restarting it... the monitor screen comes back alive and no more POST beeps. I'm tired of calling up Dell's helpdesk.... their technical support representatives are 24x7 busy. That's why i'm hoping for some quick answers or suggestions in this forum.
Bottomline >> every component in my Dimension 4100 system works like a charm... the only problem is the pre-boot beeping error during cold-start. And when i checked the CMOS log events... it states...
CMOS Pre-boot error: CMOS Configuration Error
The_Namek
2 Intern
•
2.8K Posts
0
January 6th, 2003 03:00
Did you cold boot the system after flashing the BIOS back to A10 but before going back to A11? If so did the CMOS error still occur?
nickcwj
12 Posts
0
January 6th, 2003 05:00
Yup... still the same problem... i reverted back to A10 and cold started my PC..... problem yet persists.... very stubborn problem... but i managed to call up Dell tech support.... they even had a hard time finding a solution after i told them my pc's symptoms.... they will send me a replacement mobo to test out.... hopefully it's okay! .... Any other suggestions or advice (if my mobo had not come at all)??
dermotdownes
1 Message
0
May 26th, 2003 19:00
Thx