From the few problems combined the diagnosis of your machine is getting better narrowing it down to two things RAM and your Graphics card since both of these share memory (your graphics car uses the RAM as a cache type setup) the next step in the issue would be to replace the RAM modules (i usually get mine from the local computer store or Crucial.com) see if this fixes the problem im fairly sure it will.
for info on replacing the ram go here <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> (it gives you step by step instructions on how to do it).
The Memory test usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.. the PrndMchc Test is a pattern random Checkerboard test it tests random parts of the memory if this pass's it means the parts of the memory it tested are fine, but during this test you sholdnt have to force power off on your machine this isnt good it usually means that the test is stuck which leads me to think that your memory isnt 100%.
Yes you are repeating yourself but its good to have reassurance and the worst that will happen is that one day it wont boot up and just keep beeing at you constantly which will get more annoying then anything.
Yep because the video card shares from the primary slot (slot 1) if it doesnt make the beeps after putting the new ram in then problem solved (it shouldnt go again)
Yep that would be great as your problem seems to be gone.
firstly i would start off cleaning the fan and heatsinks as its a heat issue from what you've discribed. (with those compressed air cans or a little tiny brush [dont detach the heatsinks unless you have thermal paste to replace the old stuff]) then press f12 when you start it up to run dell diagnostics and this may detect issues (post them back if it does) but to answer your questions
1.a. i doubt it can be solved with a bios update but it might, try flashing it that might work give it a shot.
1.b. updating the driver is a valid path to follow this may work
1.c. there isnt a setting that im aware of that will fix this issue in the BIOS/CMOS settings.
2. .Yes you can if it works then it works, depending on what is exactly wrong with it as to how long it will last and downside is if its a big problem it will just get worse. keep in mind that since your laptop boots the issue is intermittent which means its not a complete failure just a minor one.
3. unfortunately since its a laptop im fairly sure it cannot be replaced but im not 100% sure on this.
F12 diagnostics does not give any errors, as mentoned earlier, it goes to 'memory test activity', runs for several minutes and stops after ''PRndMchc Test: Pass'. I have to force shut down after waiting for 15-20 mins on same screen.
Will attempt cleaning of fan and heatsinks today.
1a] flashed BIOS from A06 version to A13 (taken from dell website) ... guess what? NO CHANGE ... rather it makes louder whoooosh FAN sound while booting (booting as now you know :) is post getting hot)
1b] Updated driver fromdell website (AMD ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570 - Version: 8.631.0.0000, A09 - 107 MB size). However website lists no 'fixes and enhancements'. Imagine my luck.
1c] ok.
No clue as to wehat might be wrong, I had hopes on BIOS uipdate though, what is this new whoooosh fan sound after BIOS update?
Any other suggestions?
BTW, if 6 beeps mean video card failure? Then how does it boot at all? Once it boots How does it runs for hours together with no other hitch or glitch?
the louder woosh noise is the cooling fan starting off on its highest setting (it will help overheating issues)
the 6 beeps means failure yes. and myself im stumped on how its still booting and running perfectly for hours on end with no glitches but its like my dell mini 1012 it had 8 beeps which is graphics card failure but now its running perfectly.
it could self test the video card and realise that its working fine but the problems got me stumped they usually fail and thats the end of it .
If I continue using this way, what is the worst that can happen? (am I repeating myself?).
Also, 'memory test activity' runs for several minutes and stops after ''PRndMchc Test: Pass'. Is this normal?. I mean, it stops & screen doesnt change. i have to force power-off.
thats ok take as long as you need and thats a very good idea borrowing a friends. memory is the cheapest part to replace and the easiest to replace and often you can upgrade to more.
Guess what? I could not get to borrow it over last weekend. Meanwhile I continued to login thinking I am pushing my luck. Its been 7-8 days since & it is going on well on each new booting cycle. {fingers crossed}.
I feel I should just wait; gut feel says that this problem is gone for good.
Fitz may be you are right afterall that it was memory problem (since videocard shares memory). As mentioned earlier; I have made following chages to memory; 2*2 is now used as blank*2 GB. Memory stick removed & put in second blank memory slot.
Hey, anyway I can click appreciation/solved in this forum for you?
I think I am facing problems with graphics/motherboard in my studio 1555 laptop.
The problem started as as follows: After Hibernating my system, when I was trying to so system resume, the message appeared it is not able to recognize AC adapter. I pressed F1 to continue. But it couldn't resume.After switching off power button the message appeared : a) try to continue with System Resume or b) delete Restore data and go to boot option.
I selected 2nd option. It took a lot of time to boot but incidentally it booted. Then the system installed some windows update but after restarting the system, the windows didn't boot and now only black screen appears with beeps. The beep pattern at power on is as follows: one long beep then 2 quick beeps followed by 6 beeps at regular interval of time.
I have tried draining out residual power, let the system cool off and then booting up but no luck. Still I am getting beeps. Can I left the system beeping for 10-15 minutes to check whether it boots or not as I read for one person in the forum it worked. Will it damage the system further.
Can you please guide me if further troubleshooting requires or if any replacement is required?
fitz_tech
11 Posts
0
May 25th, 2011 07:00
no problems AJ-AJ
yes there may be a solution to your problem!
From the few problems combined the diagnosis of your machine is getting better narrowing it down to two things RAM and your Graphics card since both of these share memory (your graphics car uses the RAM as a cache type setup) the next step in the issue would be to replace the RAM modules (i usually get mine from the local computer store or Crucial.com) see if this fixes the problem im fairly sure it will.
for info on replacing the ram go here <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> (it gives you step by step instructions on how to do it).
The Memory test usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.. the PrndMchc Test is a pattern random Checkerboard test it tests random parts of the memory if this pass's it means the parts of the memory it tested are fine, but during this test you sholdnt have to force power off on your machine this isnt good it usually means that the test is stuck which leads me to think that your memory isnt 100%.
Yes you are repeating yourself but its good to have reassurance and the worst that will happen is that one day it wont boot up and just keep beeing at you constantly which will get more annoying then anything.
fitz_tech
11 Posts
1
June 6th, 2011 22:00
Yep because the video card shares from the primary slot (slot 1) if it doesnt make the beeps after putting the new ram in then problem solved (it shouldnt go again)
Yep that would be great as your problem seems to be gone.
fitz_tech
11 Posts
0
May 24th, 2011 05:00
firstly i would start off cleaning the fan and heatsinks as its a heat issue from what you've discribed. (with those compressed air cans or a little tiny brush [dont detach the heatsinks unless you have thermal paste to replace the old stuff]) then press f12 when you start it up to run dell diagnostics and this may detect issues (post them back if it does) but to answer your questions
1.a. i doubt it can be solved with a bios update but it might, try flashing it that might work give it a shot.
1.b. updating the driver is a valid path to follow this may work
1.c. there isnt a setting that im aware of that will fix this issue in the BIOS/CMOS settings.
2. .Yes you can if it works then it works, depending on what is exactly wrong with it as to how long it will last and downside is if its a big problem it will just get worse. keep in mind that since your laptop boots the issue is intermittent which means its not a complete failure just a minor one.
3. unfortunately since its a laptop im fairly sure it cannot be replaced but im not 100% sure on this.
AJ-AJ
6 Posts
0
May 24th, 2011 23:00
Thanks for suggestions... sorry for late reply.
F12 diagnostics does not give any errors, as mentoned earlier, it goes to 'memory test activity', runs for several minutes and stops after ''PRndMchc Test: Pass'. I have to force shut down after waiting for 15-20 mins on same screen.
Will attempt cleaning of fan and heatsinks today.
1a] flashed BIOS from A06 version to A13 (taken from dell website) ... guess what? NO CHANGE ... rather it makes louder whoooosh FAN sound while booting (booting as now you know :) is post getting hot)
1b] Updated driver fromdell website (AMD ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570 - Version: 8.631.0.0000, A09 - 107 MB size). However website lists no 'fixes and enhancements'. Imagine my luck.
1c] ok.
No clue as to wehat might be wrong, I had hopes on BIOS uipdate though, what is this new whoooosh fan sound after BIOS update?
Any other suggestions?
BTW, if 6 beeps mean video card failure? Then how does it boot at all? Once it boots How does it runs for hours together with no other hitch or glitch?
Pls help!!!
fitz_tech
11 Posts
0
May 25th, 2011 04:00
the louder woosh noise is the cooling fan starting off on its highest setting (it will help overheating issues)
the 6 beeps means failure yes. and myself im stumped on how its still booting and running perfectly for hours on end with no glitches but its like my dell mini 1012 it had 8 beeps which is graphics card failure but now its running perfectly.
it could self test the video card and realise that its working fine but the problems got me stumped they usually fail and thats the end of it .
AJ-AJ
6 Posts
0
May 25th, 2011 06:00
Thanks Fitz, for spending time on this.
So ... is there no solution for this?
If I continue using this way, what is the worst that can happen? (am I repeating myself?).
Also, 'memory test activity' runs for several minutes and stops after ''PRndMchc Test: Pass'. Is this normal?. I mean, it stops & screen doesnt change. i have to force power-off.
AJ-AJ
6 Posts
0
May 28th, 2011 03:00
Sorry fitz_tech for late reply; coz my laptop is having some troubles & I could not get online :)))
That will be very good if it is what you say it is... coz memory is probably cheapest to buy & easiest to replace in laptop components.
Result of memory change, I will post after a couple of days (because will not but it at first go, will borrow from a friend).
Meanwhile, you have great weekend ...
fitz_tech
11 Posts
0
May 28th, 2011 04:00
thats ok take as long as you need and thats a very good idea borrowing a friends. memory is the cheapest part to replace and the easiest to replace and often you can upgrade to more.
I'll await the reply
You have a great weekend too.
AJ-AJ
6 Posts
0
June 6th, 2011 07:00
Helloooo there,
Guess what? I could not get to borrow it over last weekend. Meanwhile I continued to login thinking I am pushing my luck. Its been 7-8 days since & it is going on well on each new booting cycle. {fingers crossed}.
I feel I should just wait; gut feel says that this problem is gone for good.
Fitz may be you are right afterall that it was memory problem (since videocard shares memory). As mentioned earlier; I have made following chages to memory; 2*2 is now used as blank*2 GB. Memory stick removed & put in second blank memory slot.
Hey, anyway I can click appreciation/solved in this forum for you?
take care!
AJ-AJ
6 Posts
0
June 11th, 2011 02:00
@ Fitz_tech
Clicked solved (wasnt on web form flast few days)
Kudos to you for spending time on my problem!!!
Pritam Deo
4 Posts
0
May 24th, 2014 04:00
Hi Fitz_Tech,
I think I am facing problems with graphics/motherboard in my studio 1555 laptop.
The problem started as as follows: After Hibernating my system, when I was trying to so system resume, the message appeared it is not able to recognize AC adapter. I pressed F1 to continue. But it couldn't resume.After switching off power button the message appeared : a) try to continue with System Resume or b) delete Restore data and go to boot option.
I selected 2nd option. It took a lot of time to boot but incidentally it booted. Then the system installed some windows update but after restarting the system, the windows didn't boot and now only black screen appears with beeps. The beep pattern at power on is as follows: one long beep then 2 quick beeps followed by 6 beeps at regular interval of time.
I have tried draining out residual power, let the system cool off and then booting up but no luck. Still I am getting beeps. Can I left the system beeping for 10-15 minutes to check whether it boots or not as I read for one person in the forum it worked. Will it damage the system further.
Can you please guide me if further troubleshooting requires or if any replacement is required?
Thanks,
Pritam Deo