Resolved Dell Vostro 220 Bios update help needed

I am working on a Vostro running XP Prof and it won't boot in regular or safe mode. I tried a re-install of the OS and keep getting BSOD. I then downloaded the latest Bios update on my laptop and put the exe file on a cd and tried to boot and it just ignores the boot config I gave it to boot from cd. I retried it and it just comes up with "hit F11 for system recovery" I did that and again got BSOD. I'm not sure if that is the way to flash the bios. BTW, I cannot even get to a CP. I have run all system tests with a Hirens and it shows no problems. I even swapped out the SATA hd with same results.

 

The model number of the Vostro may help. Hirens is not the best diagnostics to use.

What happens when you boot, does it show the bios flash screen, can you get into the bios setup, dose it get as far as the desktop? You can reset the Bios by removing the battery, test it while it is out and then replace it with a new one if required. It is unlikely that you will improve anything by flashing the bios.

Have you tried running with just one memory module (that is if it has more than one).

It sounds like the memory or the hard drive has gone bad, when you put another hard drive in what was on it?

What was the error on the BSOD? if you had time to see it.

Do you know what was done on this PC before the BSOD's started.

 

Here is a link to the service manual
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos220/en/sm/syssetup.htm#wp1181799

In the System Setup Program Options
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos220/en/sm/syssetup.htm#wp1181857
under SATA Mode, turn off AHCI, it doesn't say, but it is probably Compatibility. See if the installation runs then.

 

Thanks for the replies! sorry...here goes: stop:0x0000007b (oxf7bb6524, 0xc0000034,0x00000000,ox00000000
On another note, I ran another diagnostic (ultimate boot cd) and it checked the motherboard as well as other hardware and there was a note that stated "bad index" I don't know what that means. Also, in bios setup, it doesn't show but one boot device active.
As for your questions: It is a Vostro 220 running XP Pro. It had 2- 1gb ram modules which I suspected and replaced them with 2 512mb PC2-5300 . Of course I ran memtest for 40 minutes both times with no errors.
The Sata drive was a clean one and I tried to format it with the OS cd with same results. It leads me to believe I have MB problems. I can go into bios setup and the only controller options it gives me are: AHCI, raid or ATA.
I cannot get to the desktop or even to recovery console; BSOD. In Hirens, I can get to the Mini XP session and I have run virus and Malwarebytes scan with not infection found.

 

The original problem for my sister was it locked up and she rebooted and the splash screen just kept running and when I booted in safe, it locked at mupsys
Mark, I did not remove the cmos batt as it is very hard to get to, but my diagnostic software showed it to be good..

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324103

This is the microsoft article for the error code you received. You may find some of the troubleshooting information usefull.

Take note that if you do get to re-install the OS you need to install SATA drivers from a floppy disc early in the installation as Windows XP does not have any.

You may have more of a chance to diagnose this problem if you use the original hard drive as that will load the SATA drivers at startup. Do you suspect that drive to be faulty, try running the manufacturers diagnostics to check the disc is OK. You may then be able to run a repair install from the OS disc.

This is from post 4, are you saying in the boot order list there are no devices shown? If so reseat all the internal connections. As a precaution, also remove any devices, PCI cards, USB devices, etc, anything that you do not need connected for the PC to boot, even the keyboard. Just try one boot up with the MOBO, PSU, hard drive and monitor and nothing else.

In your Bios you should find somewhere, possibly under Peripheral Devices, the Raid control, it may be set to "Raid On" if so change it to "Autodetect Raid/ATA" This came from another thread but worked for someone with the same problem.

If you feel that flashing the bios is the only thing left you can get the bios download and instructions from the Dell support site.

Earlier you said you tried to format the clean drive with the OS disc and that caused the same result, did you mean the same BSOD and same error code?

 

Try the ATA setting. I found this

from
http://support.dell.com/support/top...ocument?docid=DSN_356576&isLegacy=true#Error1

 

info

I tried changing the setup to ata from ahci with same results.
I ended up just downloading the latest bios and the chipset drivers from Dell. I then put them on a usb thumb drive and loaded the bad computer with a mini XP session from Hirens. I was able to mount the flash drive and installed the bios update successfully. However, I keep getting an error when trying to load the drivers (An unknown error occurred. Setup will exit)
Is there a special way to install them?

 

Have you got the OS and SATA drivers installed, I've always done that first and then installed the chipset drivers.

OR,

If you are doing this on the drive with the OS installed, the chipset drivers are already installed which could explain the error.

 

Thanks for all the help! I am not sure what finally did it, but I kept trying to load the chip set drivers and did update the bios. It finally gave me the option to go to system recovery and I re-installed the OS.
I would like to mark this as solved, but don't see a link to do so.....