smoky zenith
I’ve got an old Dell Inspiron 531 that was booting fine yesterday, but after one too many restarts due to trying and failing to access bios to change boot order to reinstall windows, i’m now met with this screen.
this is now popping up after about 5 minutes of sitting on a “dell” splash screen.
it’s beeping six times on startup.
long belfry
it’s beeping six times on startup.
U try clicking f1?
For me I click f1 and it opens bios see what ur computer does
Oh wait
I see
Uhhh retry
Then uhhh
long yarrow
I’ve got an old Dell Inspiron 531 that was booting fine yesterday, but after one...
Are you still having this problem?
smoky zenith
Are you still having this problem?
yes
long yarrow
Okay, according to dell 6 beeps for an Inspiron means a Video BIOS problem. https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000124349/understanding-beep-codes-on-a-dell-desktop-pc#inspiron-desktop
Here is the link for the Diagnostic Quick Test https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000181163/how-to-enter-the-built-in-diagnostics-32-bit-diagnostics-supportassist-epsa-epsa-and-psa#Diagnostic
Have you looked at these yet @smoky zenith ? :).
smoky zenith
no im sorry i just got on my lunch break, thanks for the response!!
long yarrow
No problem take your time.
smoky zenith
okay so real quick i forgot to mention, for some reason it will not let me into bios.
smoky zenith
I’ve got an old Dell Inspiron 531 that was booting fine yesterday, but after one...
the only way i can get into bios is when i get this screen
i can’t get into boot menu either
i’ve tried 2 different keyboards
long yarrow
Interesting
smoky zenith
f2 and f12 don’t do anything on the splash screen
smoky zenith
ok i’ll try that when i get home
smoky zenith
okay so now i’m just getting a “diskette drive 0 seek failure”
still can’t get into bios or boot menu
and the six beeping has stopped
long yarrow
Oh
Ouch
Hmmm
Okay I’m going to say, some part of the BIOS itself has a problem, or the mother board is cooked :<.
So, do you know how to do a BIOS reset @smoky zenith ?
smoky zenith
negative
tardy tundra
negative
Unplug the pc and remove the cmos battery. Then hold the power button to drain the psu. Maybe leave it for 5m (i don’t know if this actually does anything. Someone tell me either way) and then put the battery back in and turn it back on
long yarrow
That can clear the CMOS
But it may not be the same as a proper clear/reset
Fore example, can you see if you have a button or some pins with/without a plastic piece over them, probably labeled with “CMOS”.
tardy tundra
The cmos battery holds the bios state. Removing it will bring the bios back to the stock state
tardy tundra
Did you have the pc completely detached from power? And drain the psu caps?
smoky zenith
yes
stoic prawn
You need to disconnect the power cable. Flip the switch. Then hold down the power button on the case for 30 seconds. Doesn't hurt to press it like a dozen times either. That will expell the remaining power. Did you do that?
smoky zenith
power supply doesn’t have a switch but yes.
long yarrow
Okay I think we can cross CMOS reset off the list…
Next on the list then……
Boot drive.
prisma igloo
6 beeps is GPU.
long yarrow
While the computer is off, can you check if the storage drive with the operating system is connected properly please?
alpine tapir