DELL Desktop

[Bigfellah]

Help please. When switching on, the DELL screen comes up as usual but then freezes. No sound from desktop box whereas when booting last time of use (last night) usual sounds of hard disc whirring.

Any clues as to what the problem might be?

Thank you.

[Buenchico]

Try running System Restore from Safe Mode.

I posted on how to do it just a short while ago:
http://www.theanswerb.../Question1023986.html

[Bigfellah]

Buenchico, I wish I could try that. The system only runs for about 5 seconds before freezing so doesn't get far enough in the start up sequence to permit that.

[SlackAlice]

All your getting is the 'Dell' logo? Are the fans running and does the hard disc light come on?
Possibly loose power connection to Hard Disc if no light activity. Could also be loose connection from Hard Disc to mobo.

[ChuckFickens]

Try unplugging all USB devices.

[Bigfellah]

Chuck - no difference.

Slack Alice - thanks - will check that tomorrow and revert.

Cheers

[ChuckFickens]

Can you access the BIOS (press F2 as soon as you turn the computer on)

If so check through for boot device settings and make sure the hard drive is set to be the first boot device.

If still no joy, have a look inside, make sure both ends of the cable connecting the hard drive to the motherboard is fully seated and the power lead is in, if still no joy then if you happen to have more than one stick of ram try it with just one at a time in case one of those has gone faulty....

[Bigfellah]

Thanks Chuck - will try that this evening and revert.

[DB_7]

A lot of dells have a light sequence on the front to tell you an error. usually numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. the combination of these lights lit will give you the error. (if you have them)