Win 2000 doesn't even start...

[krabban]

I have had a major error, with much blue-screen...

I have fiddeled with the startup-routines and now the screen doesn't even start!

The computer is a Dell Presision 330 from 2001, and used to contain Windows 2000 SP 4. I have two internal SCSI drives and I've bought another, new one.

Is there a way to reset the start-up procedure, so it will be possible to get the computer running again!?

 

[krabban]

I was thinking, taking out the battery may help the computer to forget the settings... However, it seem not to help. I let the battery out for about 8 minutes. Also, the powercord.

 

[krabban]

UPDATE: The computer finnaly started, saying it was error in the config-file. I manage to do some installs... but now it's dead again...!!

 

[wolluf]

Difficult to say - you've not given much detail really. Resetting cmos (either by battery removal or jumper) can kick start an ailing motherboard - but if it keeps on dying, suggests the motherboard is about to actually die.

 

[krabban]

The motherboard is about to die...!? It was very drastic...!! It may be so... But does it just die without any reason!? I think i really do not use the computer in any heavy operations. The environment is fairly clean (I've seen A LOT worse!!!)

Where is the jumper!? I wish to try...! It's a high-end Dell machine, from 2001!! It's not THAT old...!!

I just bought the new scsi drive.

 

[wolluf]

The jumper is usually near the battery on the mobo - you may have a diagram on the inside of the case or in Dell documentation. Should be 3 pins with one jumper. To reset, move the jumper to close the currently open 2 pins, then put it back where it was.

Mobos - like all components - do just die (they consist of many components - common fault is bulging capacitors) - in fact they all will eventually, and there's no easy way of telling when 'eventually' has arrived!

 

[krabban]

There is one "connector" ?? with two pins and the text PSWD just above the battery. I removed the jumper and also removed the battery as well as the cord. To let it rest for a while.

When inserting again all things, nothing happens...

Currently, in this setup, there is a Windows 2000 cd in the drive, and an empty, unformatted and new 73 GB SCSI disk in ID3...

Not an error. Nothing! The screen remains black. The orange light normally turns green when the power is turned on but now it remains orange...

It would be a great improvement if the error message will show, "no operating system is found". !! THEN i would be happy...!!

 

[wolluf]

That sounds like its a system password reset jumper. Is there no other jumper nearby? Often has JBAT text. If you have no mobo docs, should be on Dell website. Removing battery sometimes doesn't reset the CMOS. Of course the board may now be dead...

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws330/en/sm/sysbrdcm.htm

seems to suggest there is only a real time clock reset jumper - worth trying, though I suspect you've got a dead board.

 

[krabban]

http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...tion_Optiplex&message.id=6175&jump=true#M6175

The Dell Supportforum kind of sucks... Not much help. Admins are fast as the light in removing bad posts but not at all interrested in suggestions and advice...

The short version: No problems found. All fixed. No virus, no bad drives, no bad board.

When the computer goes to sleep, it's impossible to wake up. There is simply no signal to the monitor. The diod remain orange instead of turning green.

 

[vacunita]

Bad PSU maybe? Take everything out and see if it starts, the PSU may no longer be able to power the system to get it to start.

By removing everything , I mean drives, memory, any add-on cards etc.. just CPU, and memory. then replace the components one by one until it no longer starts at that point you got your culprit.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[krabban]

I also got the suggestion of the powersupply at Dell supportforum. (Not a Dell support guy, however.)

I truelly doubt that the CPU is the issue. There are LED's inside the computer, the discs rotate, the fan runs, the lights are on... All seem to work inside the computer. If the CPU was the case, then these things wouldn't run...

I can't make more experiment with this box in this moment. However, after recieveing the new box, it will be possible to try to replace the failing parts. Maybe it's a standard socket for the CPU? I need not to buy it from Dell?

It's a solid construction and a solid box and in my oppinion it's definatly NOT outdated yet. I really hate to buy new things only for no obvious reason...

However, I have projects and customers and I need to take care of these for my living!!

 

[GrimR]

I would do as vacunita suggested.
Remove/ disconnect everything PCI cards IDE cables everything, except for power to mobo and CPU, plug in the power and see what beeps you get, if any. If there's no beeps it's either mobo, PSU or CPU.
Then add HDD, [do not add Floppy or CD drive] try again
then memory, try again
and so on then keyboard, monitor if it's not on, find spares.

 

[NTesla1886]

If you get no output on the screen it most likely the motherboard or processor. It could also be the video card or the monitor. However with the other symptoms you describe it is more than likely the motherboard or processor. I would lean toward the processor.

Dell has no way to restore default BIOS settings. A BIOS upgrade is the only option to restore defaults. But if you can not boot this is not an option.

The LEDs, hard drives, cooling fans, and other such components are independent of the processor. The LEDs are just to indicate that the computer has power and is running. The hard drives are directly plugged to the power supply. The fans are just for cooling processor and run all the time.

The computer is 7 years old. Computers age 3 years for every calender year just like dogs age 7 years for every calender year. Going by that this computer is 21 years old, for a computer that is old.

Kevin
Tektility Inc

http://www.tektility.com

Maximizing Potential Through Technology