Failed Startup/Boot in E510

What do the diagnostic lights show (I think you have 1-2-3-4 on the front)?

Peter

You didnt tell us which operating system is running on  your computer.I believe windows xp.Before doing anything run hardrive diagnostics HDDCT in your computer by pressing the CTRL+ALT+D at dell screen during boot .Run the diag if you have IDE harddrive.
More information about the HDDCT here
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&dl=false&l=en&s=dhs&docid=126A722713F6D0D0E0401E0A55174AE6&doclang=en

If diag failed with return code 7 , If you dont have to backup any data from your computer,Restore your computer to factory settings by pressing CTRL+F11 When you are at dell logo screen during startup.

Diagnostic lights 1-2 means:

 

A possible expansion card failure has occurred.

1. Determine if a conflict exists by removing a card (not a graphics card) (see "Cards")and restarting the computer.
2. If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer.
3. Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts (see "Resolving Software and Hardware Compatibilities" in your computer Owner's Manual).
4. If the problem persists, contact Dell (see your computer Owner's Manual for information about how to contact Dell).

Peter

Sorry - Using WinXP.  I'm not in front of my desktop PC right now, but it is a Pentium D Dual Core, E510 machine.

 

Thanks for the input from both, unfortunately I won't be able to attempt the fixes until this weekend when I return back home.  As for the HD lights that come on when initial booting begins ... 1, 2 and 4 lights up, then when Bios ends reading and the blinking cursor appears afterwards only HD lights 1 and 2 appear.  Thanks again and I'll attempt the fixes described at the end of the week.

sinister1,

Please report back and let us know how it goes.  I have what I believe is the same problem with my 5150 (basically the same thing as the E510).

My Bios reports "keybord failure" and then stalls with the exact same diagnostic lights.  The problem, however, is *not* an expansion card, because I have no expansion cards in the first place! 

Here is my speculation as to  why the diagnostic lights indicate "expansion card error":
I am guessing that the bios finishes its checking routines and then a "catastrophic error" occurs at that point.  Since "expansion cards" are the last things the bios checks, the diagnostic lights 3 & 4 are still off at the time of the catastrophic error.  In other words, the diagnostic lights indicate "expansion card error" simply because that was the last test performed.

You don't mention any "keyboard failure" message, but that would explain why you can't use your function keys on boot.

In my case, I thought surely the motherboard was the problem, and so I replaced the motherboard, but got the same results.  Then I thought it must be the front panel control, replaced that, and still the same results!  So, now I am down to suspecting either CPU or Memory.

I'm not sure what good it would do to contact Dell, since our warranties are long expired.

I would expect that as soon as the last check is completed successfully, the diagnostic lights would be turned off.  It certainly makes no sense to keep them on and turn them off later.  However, that doesn't mean that it works sensibly.

"Expansion cards" might also refer to built in peripherals (i.e. internal NIC, graphics, etc) as these might appear to the BIOS to be on the PCI buss just like an expansion card.

Just my two cents,

Peter

Yes, I also thought "expansion cards" might refer to onboard items, but, like I said, my motherboard replacement had no effect.

Now, I was just browsing these boards for expansion card failure codes, and come across the following thread:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=xps_desk_genhdw&thread.id=49482

Very interesting.  After doing a few things (you have to look forward several posts) he ends up with his computer in a similar state, giving expansion card failure.  It turns out it *was* the processor!

I'd say that a failed processor could have all kinds of bizarre effects, given that the processor is probably being used during the bios checks.

Anyway, in my case, I just don't see how it could be anything else but CPU or RAM, and so I am waiting on a CPU right now that I purchased on Ebay...

Finally returned home to begin the trouble shooting of the problem I had posted initially. Below is the sequence of events.

 

1.Took note of the time I tuned on the PC.

2.Saw the Bios procedure upload and then the blinking cursor appeared in upper left corner of the monitor

3.Saw diagnostic lights 1 and 2 continue to run

4.At nearly the 5 minute mark, I saw the Windows loading screen appear (!)

5.The Windows screen appeared and then disappeared and the monitor was "black" again for 1 minute

6.My password access screen appeared, password entered and logon loading continued

7.At the 7 minute mark I was fully online and no issues using the PC

 

Of course Murphy's Law revisited me and the house electricty "blinked" on and off and caused the PC to turn off and reboot. The above steps 1 thru 3 was executed. Step 4 appeared within 3 minutes this time, the Windows screen appeared a bit quicker and full password and logon was a bit quicker.

 

Unsure what to expect the next time I have to reboot. And why was it taking so long to pass the upload processes?  Be advised, I did not run any of the trouble shooting methods mentioned in the above posts. I wanted to see what would happen to the PC while I unpacked my luggage.