Installed Vista SP1, after a lot of problems, now no BIOS screen

[theLeeHarvey]

I'm hoping someone can help me out.

 

I have a Dell XPS 710 w/ Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit operating system. My graphics card is an Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX. You can see further details such as memory on my profile page.

 

 

Here's what I did:

I installed Windows Vista SP1 (32 bit) and for a little while everything seemed fine. Then I started getting a blue snow effect and my computer started locking up and crashing. I then started getting a blue screen with text saying something about crash dumps. I then tried system restore to a point before I had installed SP1, but there werent any points before SP1's installation for me to restore to. Then I figured I just needed the updated drivers for my video card, so at work I downloaded Windows SP2 and the most recent Nvidia drivers. When I got home and started up my PC to install the new SP and drivers, I couldn't get Windows to boot up. I got the BIOS screen, but that was it. In the course of shutting down and restarting my PC, after a couple of tries I somehow got the Safe Mode option and started Windows as such. While in safe mode I attempted to install SP2, but the computer crashed midway through the installation. When I started it back up I was given the option to "Start-up Repair", which I took. After that ran for a couple of hours, I was able to load up Windows normally. Once in Windows, I attempted and for the most part was successful, in uninstalling SP1 and the other updates that came with it. Only 3 updates remain now as I was not given the option to uninstall them. I then noticed I was still getting the blue snow effect, so I installed the updated Nvidia Drivers. After Installation the computer automatically restarted itself and windows loaded up fine, but after a couple of minutes I noticed the blue snow again, so I used system restore again to return to a point before the attempted installation of SP2 and the new drivers and let it run over night as I went to bed.

 

This morning when I got up system restore had finished and I logged back in and noticed that the blue snow was gone. I decided to test the PC by playing Fallout 3, as the crashes I previously experienced were primarily while I was playing it. I was able to play for a few minutes with no problems, so I exited the game and went to take a shower. When I got finished getting ready for work, I loaded the game back up and I wasn't even playing for 2 minutes before the computer locked up and I had to shut it off by using the power button as ctrl+alt+dlt didn't work. When I tried to restart the PC, nothing happens now. The computer turns on, the lights all work and I can hear the hard drive working as well as seeing the hard drive diagnostic light turned on showing that it's working properly, but nothing loads up now, not even the BIOS screen with the Dell logo.

 

My problem has steadily gotten worse and now like I said I can't even get the BIOS screen to show or anything. Even the power light on the monitor stays in the power saving mode. I opened up the case and looked at all the components, nothing looked or smelled burned, and when I turn the computer on, all the internal lights work, the hard drive makes it's normal sounds and all the fans, including the one on the video card, work properly. I don't know what's going on and I need any help you can give me.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

LeeHarvey

[TheTerminator2004]

You're probably going to have to contact DELL about this one, because it sounds like Vista has somehow done something to either the boot sector on your hard disk, or (and this is more likely by the sounds of things), somehow affected the special memory built into the motherboard which tells the PC how to start up (theres a name for it, but I cant remember what it is :P).

 

As DELL insist on using special motherboards and BIOS software for their PCs (both to make it as difficult as possible to upgrade, in the hopes youll just buy a new PC from them instead, and to help ensure novice users dont accidently manage to irreparably break anything), what might work with a normal PC may not work for you, or might be extremely difficult. For example, getting hold of a copy of the BIOS for your PC, to reflash it, could prove problematic.

 

I hate DELL with a passion (I've spent the past 5 years using a DELL PC, I have all too much experience with this), but talking to them seems to be your best bet.

[theLeeHarvey]

So, do you think I should be able to fix this if I use Dell's, online trouble shooting/support ? I've been going over it, but the problem is I am at work, and I don't have an internet connection at home nor a second PC. I can follow the steps they give, but I am going to have to do a step each day and it is going to take me a while.

[bben46]

The problem you are describing sound more like either a temperature problem - usually caused by a fan not working or dust clogging the air channels. As it seems to affect the video, look at the fan on the graphics card first.

 

Or a power supply problem. Often on systems such as Dell, they use the smallest power supply they can get away with. And there is not enough extra power for a major upgrade like a good graphics card.

 

It can also be a failing video card.

 

And as the previous poster said, they use non standard parts to make it difficult. So before ordering a new power supply make sure it will fit your case.

 

The BIOS is not on the hard drive, but embedded in a chip on the motherboard. You can only access it during start up - a message should appear for a very short time, such as 'press F2 for BIOS settings' But it could be the esc or del key also.

[theLeeHarvey]

See, I don't get any kind of message at all though, just a completely black screen.

 

I didn't think it would be my video card failing because it's not all that old, and I didn't experience any problems whatsoever until I installed SP1. I surely hope it's not my video card as I really can not afford to buy a new one.

 

I looked at all the fans in the case and they all seemed to be running fine, including the one on the video card, but now that you mention it, I think I will remove and reseat the video card after checking the air ducts in it to make sure they aren't clogged.

 

As far as power supply, I didn't really think of that. Like the video card I never really had any problems before. All of this started with the installation of that damned service pack which sort of leads me to believe its not necessarily a failing hardware issue, just "Garbage in, Garbage out" as the saying goes.

 

I just wish I could get the BIOS screen to load at all. The maybe I could try other boot options and reinstall the whole damned operating system. I am at the point now where I don't care if I lose any information. I have backups if necessary. I just want my PC to run so I can play.

[nosisab]

See, I don't get any kind of message at all though, just a completely black screen.

 

I didn't think it would be my video card failing because it's not all that old, and I didn't experience any problems whatsoever until I installed SP1. I surely hope it's not my video card as I really can not afford to buy a new one.

 

I looked at all the fans in the case and they all seemed to be running fine, including the one on the video card, but now that you mention it, I think I will remove and reseat the video card after checking the air ducts in it to make sure they aren't clogged.

 

As far as power supply, I didn't really think of that. Like the video card I never really had any problems before. All of this started with the installation of that damned service pack which sort of leads me to believe its not necessarily a failing hardware issue, just "Garbage in, Garbage out" as the saying goes.

 

I just wish I could get the BIOS screen to load at all. The maybe I could try other boot options and reinstall the whole damned operating system. I am at the point now where I don't care if I lose any information. I have backups if necessary. I just want my PC to run so I can play.

If you can't get even the bios startup you have a motherboard failure. By what you described it was not a SP issue, you were already having serious hardware troubles and should have sent the computer to professional care.

 

Most mobos have a sound signal system to identify the problem type, like processor, RAM, videocard... since troubles in those components would prevent the setup image (PSU too can be at failing state at some line, albeit the 12V seems to be working). If you can hear that signal try to identify the code which is a sequence of long/short tweets. Search for them in the web or report them to us.

 

If everything else failed to trace down the problem and you can't get to the BIOS, there is nothing to be done other then replacing the Motherboard (you can try reprogramming the BIOS or changing only the chip but you may find replacing the Mobo easier to do).

 

Indeed you should leave the machine under professional hands.

[theLeeHarvey]

I appreciate the reply and the information nosisab.

 

I didn't have any problems at all before installing the service pack.

 

I have never heard any beeps or tweets from my PC at all either.

 

I would like to get a professional to fix my PC, but unfortunately, I don't have the monetary means to do so.

[nosisab]

I appreciate the reply and the information nosisab.

 

I didn't have any problems at all before installing the service pack.

 

I have never heard any beeps or tweets from my PC at all either.

 

I would like to get a professional to fix my PC, but unfortunately, I don't have the monetary means to do so.

I understand, but if you'll do try to identify the troubles for yourself at least that sound code you need to know. If it is not playing at all it may be the little buzz is off (unwired) or missing. You'll need it to know where to look for the problem. The videocard would be under suspection from me from what you did describe before. What is for sure it is not a software issue (unless some virus deleted your POST *the initial bios startup*, a thing I think not because the evolution of the issue).

 

I'm really sorry but without the setup's image or the sound code there is nothing we can do to help identifying the failing device. The only things that would prevent that image to show up are: PSU, the motherboard itself, CPU, RAM or videocard. And it is a hardware issue, no software would let the machine so irresponsible (except where the BIOS POST was deleted by virus, as told above and which by it's characteristics may condemn the whole mobo).

 

PS: Forgot to mention the monitor itself yet not the stronger candidate.

[theLeeHarvey]

Ok well, I will listen for any sound code when I get home and try to start it up.

 

I can't think of anything that happened recently for any of the Hardware to have been broken. There were no power surges or anything like that and from what I can tell, when I removed the casing all the internals appeared to be normal. I didn't see or smell any burning and all the lights and fans are running as usual.

 

This really sucks as this PC is not all that old, not even 2 years yet.

 

I did recently move, but I was careful to make sure everything was turned off correctly before I unplugged it. It ran fine for three weeks after the move before I installed the service pack.

 

Do you think I can start it up with the OS disk in it and have it boot that up even though I don't get the BIOS page to display?

 

Could all of this be caused by turning the PC off and on so much using the power button instead of how I normally would through windows?

[nosisab]

Ok well, I will listen for any sound code when I get home and try to start it up.

 

I can't think of anything that happened recently for any of the Hardware to have been broken. There were no power surges or anything like that and from what I can tell, when I removed the casing all the internals appeared to be normal. I didn't see or smell any burning and all the lights and fans are running as usual.

 

This really sucks as this PC is not all that old, not even 2 years yet.

 

I did recently move, but I was careful to make sure everything was turned off correctly before I unplugged it.

 

Do you think I can start it up with the OS disk in it and have it boot that up even though I don't get the BIOS page to display?

 

Could all of this be caused by turning the PC off and on so much using the power button instead of how I normally would through windows?

I don't think using the power button is the cause. Hardware failures can happen for no apparent reasons. What let me be so positive about being a hardware issue is justly because no image at all... it can't be caused for drivers for that image do not depend on drivers, not even the mobo drivers. The BIOS cant rely at anything more than the non volatile information on the chip to enable the POST (Power On Self Test) ... not even the CMOS should prevent the image to show up. Yet overclocking attempts could do it although it does not seems to be the case. But here there is something you can try: Identify on your mobo a jumper that 'clear' the CMOS and reset the mobo to a safety state. You must shortcut that jumper for a few seconds with the power completely down (unplug the power cable).

 

Hope you have luck there.

 

PS: The importance of that POST it is because it do depends neither the CPU nor the RAM, indeed it can identify if one of them is the problem. That sound code is extremely useful to identify the faulty device. If everything is working fine the post terminates with a single short beep (sorry my English may fail to find the correct words at times). Because of it some manufacturers sets off the buzz... because the sound code would be aways audible, even the code for 'everything OK'.

 

PS2: Since you may have difficulties to log when at home. Try removing and replacing all the cards, it can care of some possible bad contacts. Do it for the RAMs and Videocard at least... you should not attempt to do so with the CPU because the risk of compromising the thermal gel.