I was just about to post that same problem: 4-yr old Dimension 4100, WinME.
I just replaced the primary harddrive and re-installed WinME, and now at boot instead of the old Dell globe logo, it gives me a list with the harddrives, CD drive, and DVD drive, then tells me to hit to resume. When I hit , it completes the boot from the harddrive perfectly normally.
I would like to -remove- that prompt/wait and have it just boot as it used to. I don't mind seeing text instead of the Dell globe logo, but I don't want to have to hit any keys.
If you do an Advanced Forum Search, you will find that this problem comes up quite often on these forums and there is no single simple solution. Some users have found that replacing the hard drive solved the problem, other users have found that removing all PCI cards and replacing them one by one isolates that problem to a certain device. The first step in isolating the problem is to check the diagnostic lights on the back of the computer while the "Press DEL..." message is on the screen. To interpret the code, see the following:
Thanks! I see that my lights indicate "PCI bus failure has occurred". But everything seems to be running ok after boot; it's just the boot sequence that waits/prompts. I'll try removing cards, etc, as that link you gave explains.
My video card is AGP. Do I -need- the PCI bus? Or am I confusing "PCI-Express" (a new general bus interface) with "PCI bus"??
The PCI bus includes all installed cards except the Video card, which is AGP. PCI express is the new video bus (replacing AGP) and is not present on your computer.
ok people thanks to steve he sorted my problem. My problem with boot up was a simple lose cable on cd/rw drive. Use the lights on the back DELL 4100 of your pc to acertain the problem and use the link below
Yep, his suggestion gave me the info I needed: "PCI Bus Failure".
When I remove the old harddrive (that developed problems recently), the boot problem goes away.
So I'm certain that the REAL problem is -in- that one drive; it fails init, although it works (generally) after boot is finished.
Thus, I'll leave that drive disconnected until I need it. Once I've taken off everything I need, I'll wipe it and trash it.
All is well. :)
I am reading this right - the drive that's giving you a problem has been running as your second or slave drive? If this is so, are you sure it's jumpered correctly? Both disks are normally set to CS.
yybroida
22 Posts
0
September 19th, 2004 22:00
I was just about to post that same problem: 4-yr old Dimension 4100, WinME.
I just replaced the primary harddrive and re-installed WinME, and now at boot instead of the old Dell globe logo, it gives me a list with the harddrives, CD drive, and DVD drive, then tells me to hit to resume. When I hit , it completes the boot from the harddrive perfectly normally.
I would like to -remove- that prompt/wait and have it just boot as it used to. I don't mind seeing text instead of the Dell globe logo, but I don't want to have to hit any keys.
Anyone have any ideas to help both of us?
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 00:00
If you do an Advanced Forum Search, you will find that this problem comes up quite often on these forums and there is no single simple solution. Some users have found that replacing the hard drive solved the problem, other users have found that removing all PCI cards and replacing them one by one isolates that problem to a certain device. The first step in isolating the problem is to check the diagnostic lights on the back of the computer while the "Press DEL..." message is on the screen. To interpret the code, see the following:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dzuul/codemess.htm
Steve
yybroida
22 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 01:00
Thanks! I see that my lights indicate "PCI bus failure has occurred". But everything seems to be running ok after boot; it's just the boot sequence that waits/prompts. I'll try removing cards, etc, as that link you gave explains.
My video card is AGP. Do I -need- the PCI bus? Or am I confusing "PCI-Express" (a new general bus interface) with "PCI bus"??
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 03:00
The PCI bus includes all installed cards except the Video card, which is AGP. PCI express is the new video bus (replacing AGP) and is not present on your computer.
Steve
yybroida
22 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 04:00
Hmm, so it must be a "false" PCI Bus Failure since all the devices in the box are working correctly after the boot.
OK, looks like pulling and reseating cards (except video) is the way to go.
music_ltd
4 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 15:00
hi steve
thank you for the link you sent. the lights on my dell came up as yellow green green yellow and the result was
Reset the IDE cables. If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in the Solutions Guide for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
will open and check ide cables
and will contact you soon with the outcome at least i know where im going now all the best
and thank you
sergio
ps keep the good work up
Message Edited by music_ltd on 09-20-2004 01:54 PM
music_ltd
4 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 16:00
Re: PRESS DEL TO RESUME ON DELL 4100 WIN XP PRO
ok people thanks to steve he sorted my problem. My problem with boot up was a simple lose cable on cd/rw drive. Use the lights on the back DELL 4100 of your pc to acertain the problem and use the link below
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dzuul/codemess.htm
Message Edited by music_ltd on 09-20-2004 01:46 PM
Message Edited by music_ltd on 09-20-2004 01:53 PM
music_ltd
4 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 17:00
yybroida
22 Posts
0
September 20th, 2004 20:00
When I remove the old harddrive (that developed problems recently), the boot problem goes away.
So I'm certain that the REAL problem is -in- that one drive; it fails init, although it works (generally) after boot is finished.
Thus, I'll leave that drive disconnected until I need it. Once I've taken off everything I need, I'll wipe it and trash it.
All is well. :)
gudgeon
683 Posts
0
September 23rd, 2004 11:00
yybroida
I am reading this right - the drive that's giving you a problem has been running as your second or slave drive? If this is so, are you sure it's jumpered correctly? Both disks are normally set to CS.