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June 2nd, 2004 19:00
Cannot enter Set Up - or anything else
Hi...Have had a Dimension XPS300 since 1998 and it has always worked perfectly - until today!
Turned on as usual and system chugs away to show first screen detailing disc sizes, mouse initialised etc. but then stops. Cannot even enter setup by pressing esc. although it does change to "entering Setup" but nothing happens.
Operating System is Windows 98 and as I say, everything was fine a week ago when I Iast used it.
Anyone know what (if) I have done wrong and how I can fix it?
Any help much appreciated
Cheers
Phil
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Phil Jordan
5 Posts
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June 2nd, 2004 19:00
Denny
Unfortunately your suggestion didn't work. System just sits at the initial page and although it says "Entering Setup" when DEL is selected, it doesn't do anything. Holding CTRL down on startup doesn't have any effect either.
Any other ideas
Phil
Denny Denham
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18.8K Posts
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June 2nd, 2004 19:00
See if the procedure here allows you to boot normally.
Denny Denham
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18.8K Posts
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June 3rd, 2004 01:00
One other way to get to Safe Mode-Command Prompt Only is to reboot with a non-bootable floppy diskette in the A:\ drive. At the "Non-system disk" error remove the floppy and press F8 twice to get to the boot menu. (I have a gut feeling that this may not work either, but it's worth a try.)
By any chance were there electrical storms in your area during the period when the computer was not in use?
Phil Jordan
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June 3rd, 2004 05:00
Denny
Your gut feeling was right I'm afraid. I don't even get the "non system disk" error message come up. No electrical storms here so that's not the problem either.
Would I be better purchasing an upgrade to Windows XP and loading that? My concern is that it wouldn't work as the Win 98 CD doesn't do anything if I place that in the drive when I switch on or load it when computer is on. It's as if the PC doesn't have the energy to load Windows!
Phil
Denny Denham
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June 3rd, 2004 14:00
Have you ever replaced the CMOS battery in that system? If it is dead or dying the system will exhibit BIOS errors (such as not recognizing that the floppy is the first boot device to identify the non-system disk). See if a new battery (instructions here if your XPS is an XPS D300) restores normal operation. I wouldn't consider upgrading to XP with a computer which isn't performing properly.
Phil Jordan
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June 6th, 2004 16:00
Denny
Changed the battery but still not working. Problem still as originally stated.
Phil