Hi Mike31z,

Let’s check the hard drive functionality. To access Dell Diagnostics, follow these steps:

• Turn on (or restart) your computer.
• When the Dell logo appears, press 2-3 times. 
• When the 'One Time Boot Menu' appears, highlight 'Boot to Utility Partition' and press .
• When the Dell Diagnostics main menu appears, select the test you want to run. 

1. Express Test – Performs a quick test of devices. This test typically takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility of tracing the problem quickly.
2. Extended Test – Performs a thorough check of devices. This test typically takes an hour or more and requires you to answer questions periodically.
3. Custom Test – Tests a specific device. You can customize the tests you want to run.
4. Symptom Tree – Lists the most common symptoms encountered and allows you to select a test based on the symptom of the problem you are having.

You can run the Express test and share the results with me.

If you have installed the operating system once, boot to utility partition might not be accessible. In this situation, you can run the Dell diagnostics through Drivers and Utilities CD:

• Turn on (or restart) your computer. 
• When the Dell logo appears, press 2-3 times.
• Insert the Drivers and Utilities Disc in the compute
• From the list, choose IDE/CD ROM drive
• When the '’Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD’ message appears, press Enter instantly. If you wait for more than 5 seconds, you will have to start again.
• Select Boot from CD-ROM option from the CD boot menu.
• Select 'Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics' or 'Test system’ press Enter.
• Select the 'Custom Test’. Check the box 'Quick Tests only. Click + symbol next to Hard Drive. Click 'Confidence Test' and click 'Run Tests’. Similarly, click 'Device Self-Test’ and click 'Run Tests'. 
• Please share the error codes if any.

If the hard drive test completes without errors, you can try to re-install the operating system. You can refer to this link for Operating System Re-Installation: http://dell.to/NFEKMX

You need to use the Dell Re-installation DVD's. If you do not have them,  I am sending you a friend request; please accept it and send me the Service Tag and Account information through private message. Please do not share the Service tag in the open forum. I will check the warranty status, system configuration and help you accordingly.

Hope this helps.
Please reply if you have any further questions.

 

I had to boot from diagonistics CD.  MP Memory Test Passed, Expressed Test Passed, All Test Passed.

I can boot to HD  by F12 and select Boot to Hard drive.  If I let the computer boot normally I get a message to press F1 or F2 to go to bios

Thank you for the response.

Does the error 'Press F1 to continue and F2 to enter setup' show any information such as 'Diskette Drive Seek Failure' or 'No boot device available'?
Moreover, you can try to re-install the operating system.
You can also refer to this link for OS and drivers installation: http://dell.to/NFEKMX

I have sent you a friend request. Please accept it and send me the Service Tag through private message.Please do not share the Service Tag on the open forum.

Hope this helps.
Please reply for any further questions. 

Yes I get the F1 and F2 enter set up. I also get the diskette drive seek failure if I try and repair the MBR.

I installed a different SATA drive and I get the same problems.

If I press f12 and select Hd dive boot I can get the vista up and run but can not re boot.

will send a PM with service tag.

Mike

MIke, 

Thank you for the response.

If the system boots normally by pressing F12 and selecting hard drive, you can disable the diskette drive in BIOS. Your system was not shipped with a floppy drive. Since this option is enabled, the system tries to look for a floppy drive. Disabling it may fix the issue. Reboot computer and press on Dell logo. Press the down arrow key, select 'Drives' and press Enter. Disable the Diskette Drive. To do so, press the left arrow key to select 'Off' and press Enter.

You can try to remove the On-board Floppy drive from the boot sequence. If there is a number next to On-board Floppy drive, highlight it and press Space bar which will disable the floppy drive in boot sequence as well. Ensure that there is no number ahead of where the floppy drive is listed.

Hope this helps.
Please reply for any further questions.

 

I can not get into bios now at all. The fan starts the light comes on at the on off button, the cd rom light blinks 4 or 5 times then quits. There is a yellow light on the mother board that lights up. The monitor does not display anything.

Can the bios be flashed from a CD?

mike 36c

Mike,

Thank you for the response.

There are ways to flash the BIOS through a CD. However. lets ensure that the system is turning on properly.
You can drain the static charge on the computer. Please disconnect the power cord. Disconnect all the devices (mouse, keyboard, monitor, USB devices, external hard drive, printer and internet cable etc.) connected to the computer on the front and rear panel. Once done, press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds. Reconnect the devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor and the power cord only) .Then turn on the system.

For the current issue, please share this information:

• The status and color of the power light on the tower; solid green, blinking green, solid amber, blinking amber.
• The status of power light on the monitor.
• Any diagnostic light on the front of the tower. There are 4 diagnostic lights; 1,2,3,4. Refer to no. 6 in the image.

After total power Down:

1. Monitor "NoVga Cable"  moves when turned on and not connected. Power Down Monitor.

.

2. After Reconnection Monitor, Mouse, KeyBoard, Main Power Cable.

2A. Fan goes to High Speed then slows down.

2b. Montior display is Black, On/off indicator displays yellow.

2c. CD blinks about 26 times then stops.

2d. The HD Icon blinks 1 time and no other 1-4 number appear on front pannel.

2e. Yellow light on motherboard.

2f. Network cable not connected.

Mike 36c

Thank you for the prompt response.

May I know the status of the power button light on the tower (on/off button)?

It could be an issue with the distribution of the power by the power supply or another component inside the tower. Once you share the power light status, we can proceed accordingly. 
We might have to re-seat some components inside the tower.  

Do write back with the results.

The green light behind the power on/off button Item 8 in your pictture above stays on and does not blink.

Mike