Error message Checkpoint [HDsk]

Does it hang at that error message or does it boot to the desktop? 

What color are the 4 diagnostic LEDs on rear of the tower? If not all green, look up the error code here. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

<>You can try clearing NVRAM.  Power off and disconnect PC from the wall. Press/hold power button front of tower for ~15 sec. Open the case and remove the batteryfrom the motherboard. Press/hold the power button again for ~30 sec. Reinstall the battery (right-side-up!). If the battery is more than ~2-3 yrs old, replace it with a new 3-volt CR2032 lithium coin cell<> (~$2 at Walmart etc).  Close the case and see if it will boot now. 

 Ron

Ron,

Thanks for the reply, The led's are Yellow Green Green Yellow, which from the link you provided indicates floopy or HD problem, since I don't have a floppy I take it that the HD is bad?

When I boot it hangs on the first screen, where the Big Blue Dell is with the bar under it that has the dell series and Bios on it, the bar fills to the end and freezes there, if I hard break and restart a couple of times it gives me the previous error message about the check point.

I will try the othewr suggestion you gave me to see if that helps.

Thanks for the great feedback

Lyle

After you pop the battery out, check the cables to the hard drive. Make sure they're correctly connected at both ends, and you might want to change to a different power connector from the power supply, assuming you have one that isn't currently being used.

Ron 

Ron,

I did as you suggested and when I restarted the machine, as it starts to boot, I get the Bios info and the Dell Series Bios version and than it says "Diskette Drive 0 failure" and "Preforming automatic IDE configuration...

and just stays there with the curser blinking

I can not do anything else

Lyle

Hi Lyle,

The Hard Disk is Good.

The memory modules need to be seated properly.  (Your computer is probably beeping 'beep codes' too) Unplug all accessories, and the main power cord, push the start button for 30 seconds to clear the memory, open up the case, remove the small round battery on the motherboard and check the small round battery for proper voltage.  CAREFULLY Reinstall the small round battery on the motherboard (or replace with a fresh battery).  Check the power supply plug to the hard drive for snug connection. Check all installed cards (video / audio / etc.) and CAREFULLY reseat the cards. Double check the memory module tabs to make sure the memory modules are seated and snugly installed (with the white tabs on the sides in the secure 'up' position.)  Push the start button again to clear the memory.  CAREFULLY Reinstall all accessory cords, install the main power cord. Turn on computer. You will be prompted to select F1 for 'start normally' or F2 to go to 'set up mode'. Select F1 'start normally'. Windows starts as normal, then manually set date and time. This should solve the 'CHECKPOINT [HDsk]' situation, alright ? If the situation persists, try different memory modules and remove any recently installed hardware which may not be compatible with your system configuration,

Hope this helps,

Kevin

wath is mean by previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint [HDsk].

what is mean by previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint [HDsk].