Initial Start up freezes (dell screen) BIOS revision

For some reason I the dell start up screen will occasionally freeze when booting up. It happens during the Dell logo and little ticker bar. when it freezes it reads
Deminsion 8400 Series
(frozen loading bar)
BIOS revision A02
any insight?

 

This is a hardware problem rather than an XP problem. You have a hardware device that isn't booting properly. I'd suggest trying each of these in turn to see if the problem goes away:

1. unplugging your USB devices and boot the system without them connected.
2. If you have more than one RAM memory card install, remove the latest one added and see if that fixes the problem.
3. Disconnect any serial or parallel devices (older printer for example or a scanner)
4. Remove any additional PCI/ISA cards in the system. For example, sound cards, network card, or modem card.

It might be worth trying a BIOS upgrade, but I'd talk to your PC supplier's tech support before doing that.

 

thanks for the reply.

I will try it all tonight.. I have also noticed alot of build up of dust in the PC. I'm getting a compressed air can to clean it out (outdoors of course), but any other insight into cleaning the PC?

 

It would be helpful to remove the Dell Logo to see on the screen where the BIOS is in the POST. when it stops.; check your manual or try the esc key or enter Setup program and look for the option.

Also, please explain " little ticker bar ". It's not the one on the XP splash screen, is it?

 

I dusted it and since have not had the same problem. however during my search to find a solution i decieded to try an error check on the C drive.
Evere since then when I boot up i get a message on the baby blue screen in respons to the NTFS 'cannot open volume for direct access'.

 

Are you working in SP1?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823439&Product=winxp