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SportCross
3 Posts
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July 3rd, 2008 19:00
E510 Startup/Boot Problems
Hello Dell Forums!
I have a 2 year old Dell E510 that I have not had one problem with to date. Mostly the base model, with no aftermarket parts.
I have goggled my problem, I have searched the Support Database and the Dell Forums, and run the Dell PC thingy, but I can't find my exact problem.
Here is the story......
Everything was clicking on long just fine till last week, when in trying to boot it, it hung on the Dell screen.
I powered down and powered back up and everything was fine.
Several days later, I was using the computer, powered down, watched TV, and then decided to use the computer again that night. It got stuck again at the Dell Screen. I powered up and down several times to no avail.
All the F functions did not work. ( I have a wireless USB keyboard ) if that matters.
So I goggled it, and many people said to replace the BIOS Battery.
I took out the battery, started it up, and viola it WORKED! Ran through the BIOS screen, then replaced the battery with a new one. This was too easy, right?
I powered down and restarted and bam, STUCK AGAIN. What the heck!
Powering up and down several times, nothing, F keys don't so anything, so I resort to reseting the memory, the video card, and making sure all power and signal cables are pushed in.
Then I check on the LED lights. 1 & 4 show, which I think means mother board failure. Oh nnnoooeezzz!
So I take out the battery, unplug it, move both jumpers to and fro, and let it sit overnight.
In the meantime I steal a PS/2 keyboard from work only to find out my machine has no PS/2 input. :lol:
I run down to Geek Squad trying to crack their brain without cracking open my wallet to no avail.
That night without the battery in, I plug it in and fire it up, and it WORKS!
So now I'm not sure what to do, I'm afraid to power it down again. Maybe I will just leave it on forever!
What should I do? Is my BIOS corrupt? Should I reflash/update it? Is my Power Supply going out? Memory going bad? Mother board failure?
Once Windows loads everything operates at normal, it is just as Startup it hangs.
Only quasi-pertinent info I think could have led to this is....
1) I have Spybot (including the Resident) on my computer and could I have blacklisted/blocked a process that needs to be run at startup? I have had it for over a year now with no problems?
2) I accidentally left a Creative Zen Stone MP3 plugged in at Startup once, and the machine hung that one time for a little bit a couple weeks ago, but not since. Do you think the computer is looking for that device at startup, can't find it, and is failing?
What to do? Any help is appreciated.
SportCross
3 Posts
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Posted July 7th, 2008 14:00
I appreciate your response Fireberd.
I was thinking of updating my BIOS, but since it seemed like an all or nothing proposition, I was hesitant to do so.
For a couple days I just left the battery out, and when powering down and up, I would get the error screen, but it would load, so I was resigned to this work around as long as it worked. Better than having a $1,200 paperweight right!
This past weekend, I backed up my files, and I updated all the programs I could, removed all the programs I don't use, scanned for virus several times. Updated to the Windows SP3.
Powered down and up, and everything checked out.
So I powered down, opened the case. Replaced it with a new BIOS battery ( there has been no battery in there at all since my first post), fired it up, turned off the internal floppy, cleared the BIOS log, and it works like a champ.
Powered up and down several times with no problems, or errors.
I'm not sure what did it. Was it the battery, was it moving the jumpers, was it leaving it without any power at all for several days, was it updating the programs and service pack, removing a virus?
Who knows, but it works, and it is good as new!
What a roller-coaster, going from loving Dell, hating them with a passion, to loving them again. I think I'm ready to upgrade now. Ha-ha.
At least now I think I can build my own, with all the research I did to fix this one.
I did check the setup in BIOS and there is a list of boot options, and one is USB, like number 5 I think. I toyed with removing it, but I will just remind myself to unplug everything prior to firing it up, than risk not being able to use it, if I need it.
Don't want to push my luck, you know!
quickviper
1 Message
116
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Posted July 10th, 2008 17:00
I have a E510, and had the same problem.
However, nothing listed you listed here is a final solution, as I have to reset the CMOS/BIOS (RTC Jumper) everytime I SHUTDOWN (restarting works fine).
I updated the BIOS, and again, restarting works perfectly. I SHUTDOWN and then try to power back up and get the amber lights.
Check this thread for info:
SportCross
3 Posts
116
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Posted July 10th, 2008 18:00
I heard/read about all the "power supply" issues, but I never had a blinking amber light. Ever. For awhile I was thinking about replacing it anyway, but $$ is tight.
My computer still works with no hiccups since I posted last.
fireberd
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Posted July 4th, 2008 13:00
This is a good one. I have an E510, too. The apparent BIOS problems would lead me to first upgrade the BIOS to the latest on the Dell downloads. That has fixed some problem, although I don't know if it wil fix yours, but is a good first step since the BIOS appears to be the "hangup".
HERE is the BIOS download and you can run it from within Windows. One word of caution with ANY BIOS update, if the update fails and corrupts the BIOS the only option is to replace the motherboard. Something to consider before doing the update. However, since the BIOS appears to be the source of the problem this may not be an issue, and ultimately it may require the replacement of the motherboard.
There have been problems with some models if a non-Bootable device is connected and powered on at bootup (such as a printer). The PC will ultimately boot up but there is a long delay. The E510 does not have the USB "no boot" option in the BIOS so I don't think that is a problem with this model, but something I mention since you had the MP3 player hang one time and that is a non-bootable device. On models that have this issue it can be a several minute delay before it boots up - if you are not allowing 4 or 5 minutes before you give up and "power" reset the BIOS by removing the battery, give this a try.