Boot Sequence

R

railway0

New Member
Hello
I have a Dell Optiplex G110 computer Pentium3, 800mhz, 256 mb RAM.

I have a problem with my Bios I am unable to get the Bios to boot from cd drive or hard drive as the only option that I have is Diskett Drive,

I am trying to reinstall windows xp on my computer and unable as the computer is not booting from the cd drive.
Is there any way of getting the boot sequence to boot from cd drive, the Bios Version is A05. Any help would be great as I am not sure what to do.
Many thanks
 
I'm sure you can get into the bios SOMEHOW with that machine. I think most Dell's from around that time on use F2 to access the bios. I'm sure it's in a manual or on google somewhere.

Some newer ones allow you to press F2 to get a boot menu for a one-time change. It might be worth trying, but I think only newer ones have this feature.
 
The only support information on that old model was found at http://dell-optiplex-info.fiesnow.info/Dell-Optiplex-Resourcecd-Download.htm

That may or may not have the F8 boot menu option to select the drive to boot from. To create a set of boot floppies for installing XP you scroll to the bottom of the page and choose between XP Pro and XP Home at http://www.nerdlabs.org/bootdisks/ The Microsoft download page that has links for original, SP1, and the SP2 releases of both versions along with instructions is seen at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994
 
Thanks for that, I have got the floppies copied and will give it a go tomorrow, I have tried all day to get it to work so I am not doing any more today, will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
 
In other words try the F keys from F2 up to see if you manage to get a boot menu to appear? :confused:

On an older system like that the likelihood of that being seen is a little more remote however. Without locating any good support information like bios updates and the user manual as well as technical specifications you are kind of on your own there. If the floppy drive is working and autosearches at post time you will probably end up using the floppy method to get the XP installer going. Blah! :( That's the hard way!
 
I get the boot menu using the F2 key, but the only option is boot from diskette, I have the boot disc's that I downloaded from the above site but nothing is happening.

Is there any thing that I can replace to get the Bios settings back.
 
Clear the cmos or update the bios by way of a boot floppy. It could also be a weak battery on the board if the bios hasn't been corrupted by something else like a failing eprom. There you refer to the user's manual for instructions on clearing the cmos. That usually means popping out the battery from it's holder on the board and moving a small jumper from pins 1+2 to 2+3 for a good minute or so and then back to pins 1+2 it's default position.

On a system that old replacing the Lithium battery is about a $2-$3 trip to a local retail store's watch and jewelry dept. for the CR2032 or other replacement. Bring the old battery along to match that up.
 
I have got back my other options now on the bios settings, I started to install windows but when it was formatting it gave up at 15% .The computer crashed.
So I am getting a new hard drive then I am sure that it will solve the problem. I don't know how the options came back but they did. I did notice that the hard drive option was not there when I tried to use a bad hard drive.
I will let you know if it is sorted when I get my new hard drive.
Thanks for all the help.
Linda
 
The problem there is most likely a bios not hardware problem unless the bios eprom itself was failing. The idea of clearing the cmos resets everything back to the factory default settings. A fresh battery for the board costs a lot less then buying a new drive to still see the same problems. Without finding the last bios update from a support site or even to replace the eprom you need to either send in the chip for a reflash or order a new with the last version on it. The problems there are pointing at the bios not the hard drive.
 
The age of the system itself alone points at the need for a new battery. I've seen those go on systems just over a year old. That will be a minor "quick repair" if that's all it needs. Since neither cd or hard drive will boot that along with not hearing any odd sounds from the hard drive like clicking sounds points at the board's bios or even a need to replace the cable if both are on the one. An update can correct any loss of information lost in the bios programming if that turns out to be the case. It's an old system where anything is possible.
 
I have fitted my new hard drive and everything seemed have been ok at first, i managed to reinstalled windows and put most of my programs back on. Then the hard drive started to smoke and the computer turned off. Does it still sound like it is not a hardware problem .I have a new battery and will fit it now.
 
Last edited:
railway0 said:
I have fitted my new hard drive and everything seemed have been ok at first, i managed to reinstalled windows and put most of my programs back on. Then the hard drive started to smoke and the computer turned off. Does it still sound like it is not a hardware problem .I have a new battery and will fit it now.
Click to expand...

You saw smoke coming from a new drive?! :eek: I would say with something shorting to ground for sure there! You are now going to have to remove the board from the case and lay it on a non conductive surface with only the video card and supply to isolate the problem! Start looking around the board itself for any discoloration or burn marks! Something is going doa on you there fast.
 
:) :) :) :)
Problem fixed.
I fitted a new hard drive and it is working this time, I have ran the computer for 12 hours and it is still going also I have reinstalled all my programs.
Thank you PC Eye for all your help you are a star.:D :D :D
 
You must have had one drive card planned for "toast" and eggs on the breakfast menu there! Be glad that wasn't on the board then just a drive's card that made your day!
 
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