Disable S.M.A.R.T message on boot up.

You can try playing around with the settings for the Event Log in the BIOS Setup.  I don't know for sure if this will turn off the SMART messaging, but it's worth a try.  Just go into your BIOS Setup and under the ADVANCE tab there will be an option for the  Event Log Configuration.  Just disable the option for Event Logging.  If that works then I would also try clearing the Event Log and re-enabling the Event Logging.  The error message you are receiving maybe from when the hard drive had an error and it keeps popping up until you acknowledge the error log as being read. 

Sorry to hear it didn't work. Unfortunately there is no other BIOS option that I can think of to disable the S.M.A.R.T. messaging and I suspect you'll continue to see it until you replace the hard drive.  I had some time this morning an did a couple of searches on the net looking for a third party utility that could be used to disable the S.M.A.R.T. diagnostic messaging, but I found there were none available.  Everything I ran across in my Internet searches point to disabling the messaging in the BIOS which is not an option on your model.

If you find out anything from Dell then an update will be most welcome.  I doubt we're missing anything, but you never know when it comes to computers.  The replacement of the hard drive should take care of the problem since the error message is generated by the diagnostics on the hard drive itself. 

Just for the record - I got a reply from Dell. This is what the suggested :-

 

 

With reference to the query on BIOS , please try this step.

Reset the factory defaults and clear the NVRAM.

Perform the following steps to enter the system setup, reset factory defaults, and clear NVRAM.

During the POST process watch for the lights on the keyboard to light up and turn off, when this occurs start tapping the < F2 > key.

NOTE: Pressing the F2 key to early in the post process will result in a keyboard failure message and waiting to late will result in the operating system loading.

Once in the system setup turn on all the lights on the keyboard by pressing the < Caps Lock > key , < Scroll Lock > key, and the < Num Lock > key.
Press and hold the < Alt > key and press the < F > key. 
System will beep once.
Press and hold the < Alt > key and press the < E > key. 
System will beep once.

NOTE: If multiple beeps are heard, then repeat this step until only one beep is heard.

Press the < Alt > and < B > keys at the same time. 
The system will reboot at this point.

 

I followed the steps as far a Alt + F and got an a message asking me if I wanted to restore the Bios to factory default settings, to which i clicked on Yes.

When I pressed Alt + E nothing seemed to happen - no system bleeps or anything. So I saved settings and rebooted. ( Alt + B did not do anything either) I will just have to wait (impatiently) until the new hard drive arrives. I live in an area where I have to rely on mail order so it might be a few days.

 

 

Well so much for Dell Tech Support..... they gave you the procedure for clearing the NVRAM, but it's not for your generation of computer.  That procedure is used for the later Dell models.  With your model there is an option in the BIOS Setup for Reset Config Data under the Advance tab of the BIOS menu.  The only problem is this method at times doesn't totally clear the NVRAM like it should.  A better way is to just remove the battery from the motherboard using the procedure I have listed below.  This method is guaranteed to clear the NVRAM.  I doubt it will help since the error message is being generated by the hard drive instead of the BIOS, but if you have time it's worth a try.

 

With the machine unplugged from the wall remove the battery from the motherboard.  Then with the machine still unplugged press the On button for several seconds to dissipate any remaining electrical charge on the motherboard.  Then re-install the battery, plug the machine back into the wall and boot it up normally.