Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Booting Up stalls

0 helpful
5 replies

by ahowley

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I have Windows XP, Dell Desktop. Did not install anything recently. When I turn on my PC, the Dell bios screen appears and does not load into XP. Sometimes, if lucky XP does load and everything is okay. But if I have to reboot, it stalls and I have to turn off my PC for 15 minutes. Does anyone know why this is happening?

5 replies

by cdiaz

It sounds like you may have a problem in the bios or a hardware problem that is making POST stall. First thing I would do is try to access the bios and turn off the stop on errors. The next thing I would do is try and download a bios update from Dell.

by twlaaas

Some things to try
Check all ribbon cables to the drives to make sure they are well seated
Like previously answered make sure you halt on no errors
I ran into a problem simular with W2K and it turned out to be a bad stick of memory it halted with a blue screen of death you can download programs for testing the memory on your computer http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html
You may also try reseating the cpu in the slot or socket and make sure the fan is working properly.
You did not say if you upgraded to WinXP but you may try Dell to see if there is a Bios upgrade if you did. If all else fails set to booting from C: and disconnect all other drives swap out mouse and keyboards with other known good ones. If this does not work try replacing the cable the hard drive.

This discussion is closed to new replies.