Dell Dimension 3100/E310-constant reboot

Yes,

I get 2 & 3 which is missing floppy drive

Then I get 1,2,3 which is "another failure occured "

Solution:

# Ensure that the cables are properly connected to the system board from the hard drive, CD drive, and DVD drive (see "System Board Components ").

(checked everything yesterday)

# If there is an error message on your screen identifying a problem with a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive), check the device to ensure that it is functioning properly.

(Just the floppy error and to push F1 to continue)

# The operating system is attempting to boot from a device (such as the floppy drive or hard drive); check system setup (see "System Setup ") to make sure the boot sequence is correct for the devices installed on your computer.

(Checked this, it is set to boot from the HD, then floppy)

# If the problem persists, contact Dell for technical assistance.

So that didn't solve anything really.... I keep starting the Extended Test but it keeps rebooting, it's at 20% now.

 

tonight even tried taking the memory out, one at a time and moving them around and the same thing happened. Someone else (not here) mentioned that that may be the issue... but nope, still doing the same thing...

 

Hi,
I would replace the CMOS battery that you were talking about. You should find it is a type 2032. Something has changed to cause the floppy drive "search" and now the beep (which indicates it is doing a full POST [system check] and not a "Quick Boot" which is probably what it is normally set to do).

You did an Error Checking on the drive, did you put a check in the boxes for automatic fixes and scan the disk surface?

I note that the image for the "stalled" load of Safe Mode seems to have stopped on IDE controller drivers. These run the drives. See if those same listings (IDE) seem to be where it stops if you try again.

There may be a problem in the drivers for the drive controllers. There could alternatively, be a problem in the information section of the harddrive, the boot sector.

What is your method of backup? If you don't use a rigid backup system, think about buying a new HDD. You can take the old HDD out and make a fresh installation of Windows on the new HDD. If you cannot connect the old HDD as a second drive, you could get a USB external case for it, extract any precious data and then reformat it and use it for backup. Even if this did not fix the problem, you would have an excellent method of backup.

If the suggestions don't seem to work, I would run a repair reinstallation of Windows. Let us know if you need help.

Hmmm...put any key error wording into a search of Dell or it's forums. It seems horribly close to this
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=67636
just a few days ago.

Matt

 

Thank you!

 

The Quick Boot is not the boot order or sequence. It is a by-pass for a full system check (POST). It may be called someting else like Quick Startup. You might have to look through several menus or sub-menus in the BIOS (easiest way is look through the system/motherboard manual).

Try to get that replacement battery. If you, say, reset the CMOS or get things working it may revert to the current state because the settings are not being held in the CMOS.

Matt

 

resetting the cmos didn't change a darned thing.

Where can I get a battery like that??

Thanks in advance!

 

You should find them anywhere you buy camera or watch batteries. Type 2032, they will probably be one of the only large ones. An electronics store (Radioshack) is sure to have them as well as office suppliers.

After you install the new battery see if you can find the setting to disable the floppy drive. This may help, but I don't think it is actual cause. Once the system knows what is connected and what isn't, that's when I expect (hope ) it will go back to normal.

Luck.

Matt

 

Just wanted to give an update..

we are getting the new battery hopefully today (hubby is on a mission!) so will give it a shot and report back

Cross your fingers!!

 

He found the battery! whoo hoo!!

Everyone please cross your fingers that this will work!!

I'll report back with hopefully great news

 

Well...

It didn't change a darned thing.

Anything else to try???

 

Actually Chloe, I am revamping 6 or 7 Dell workstations where I work, for people to take home. Of the four I am currently working on, even though they are the same model, not one has the same startup as the others. I have new batteries to put in them next week. Fingers crossed might be one of our last hopes.

I looked at the manual. Go into the BIOS settings (F2), under Maintenance set the CMOS Defaults setting. Save and Exit.
Go back in again, under Drives, set the Floppy (Diskette) Drive to Off. Under Boot Behaviour, set Fastboot to On (it should already be set to ON). Save and Exit. Try several starts like that. No luck, go back again and set Fastboot to Off, try several starts again.

[Edit: Take the Floppy (Diskette) drive out of the Boot Sequence or set it to last.]

No luck, check that there are no added devices connected (USB, PCI add-in cards, etc). Go into the BIOS, under Onboard Devices, set all devices to off. Save and Exit and cross your fingers. Reset them to On, one at a time, if it works.

[Another Edit: You can disconnect the cables to the CD/DVD drive for one test startup and disconnect the cables to the HDD for another test startup, but, for the latter, you will need to have a boot disk in the CD/DVD drive (like the the Windows disk).

Matt

 

I had one major success, apparently. One machine was not starting, just had an orange flashing power button. I changed the CMOS battery, same. I swapped the RAM, same. I disconnected the drives, same. I put a matching machine beside it and stretched the motherboard power supply connector across to the problem machine, solid orange power button. Ahh, I had not connected the 4 pin CPU power connector, connected it and green power button. Power supply problem, apparently not. I reconnected the original power supply connectors and GREEN button. I have not reconnected the drives yet.

Maybe I should have cleared the CMOS, but I think, because these machines use Quickboot as a default setting, if there is a problem in the BIOS, it needs to be "jogged" into a reset (they also have a limited BIOS compared to most retail motherboards).

Mmm...maybe you could try disconnecting the 4 pin CPU power connector (two yellow and two black cables) for one startup, that may reset things.

Matt

 

Constant Reboot

Hi,
I've had a similar issue. After troubleshooting I believe it was a faulty power button on the front of the case. hope this helps.

-ed