zkaiserm
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dell inspiron 5100 booting problem
I have read some of solutions from this site to find a fix for my problem. but none of them seem to solve my problem though they have the same symptoms. I am getting these messages on my dell laptop.
"media test failure, test cable"
"some pxe error"
"operating system not found"
I tried "esc + f1 " to get to the BIOS. it didn't work. then i tried f2 which also didn't work. I used ctl + alt + del to see if the windows loads. but it didn't. So i cannot even get to the bios.
the laptop just halts there after "operating system not found" and nothing happens.
I really need some help.
Kaiser
"media test failure, test cable"
"some pxe error"
"operating system not found"
I tried "esc + f1 " to get to the BIOS. it didn't work. then i tried f2 which also didn't work. I used ctl + alt + del to see if the windows loads. but it didn't. So i cannot even get to the bios.
the laptop just halts there after "operating system not found" and nothing happens.
I really need some help.
Kaiser
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SOLUTION
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SOLUTION
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Do you have any other devices currently connected to the laptop? Disconnect them if you do (printer,ect.)
Remove the battery try booting with just the ac power supply that came with the 5100.
Let us know if you are still having problems. I have a Dell 5150 Inspiron and have had numerous boot up problems, but have been able to fix them repeatedly throughout this site.
Let us know!
Remove the battery try booting with just the ac power supply that came with the 5100.
Let us know if you are still having problems. I have a Dell 5150 Inspiron and have had numerous boot up problems, but have been able to fix them repeatedly throughout this site.
Let us know!
you can run a hard drive diag
DFT (drive fitness test) works on most computers. start with the Quick scan. if the Quick scan fails (return a red screen), then there is no need to do the Advanced scan. but if the Quick scan passes (green screen), you should do the Advanced test.
download DFT here : http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
also, is this laptop under warranty still? if so, you may want to send it back to Dell. be sure to make a backup of your data (if you can). you can try to get at your data by booting off BartPE and then using the File Manager to try to access your drive. you can then copy the data to an external drive or usb device (make sure you have the usb device/external drive connected to your computer before you start BartPE)
bartpe can be downloaded here: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
if the laptop is no longer under warranty and it appears the drive is bad, there is no harm in removing the drive and reseating it (remove and put it back in). perhaps it came loose from its connection.
if the laptop is not under warranty and the drive is bad, you can get a new laptop harddrive. installation is easy. you will need your OS/recovery cd's in order to re-load the operating system.
DFT (drive fitness test) works on most computers. start with the Quick scan. if the Quick scan fails (return a red screen), then there is no need to do the Advanced scan. but if the Quick scan passes (green screen), you should do the Advanced test.
download DFT here : http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
also, is this laptop under warranty still? if so, you may want to send it back to Dell. be sure to make a backup of your data (if you can). you can try to get at your data by booting off BartPE and then using the File Manager to try to access your drive. you can then copy the data to an external drive or usb device (make sure you have the usb device/external drive connected to your computer before you start BartPE)
bartpe can be downloaded here: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
if the laptop is no longer under warranty and it appears the drive is bad, there is no harm in removing the drive and reseating it (remove and put it back in). perhaps it came loose from its connection.
if the laptop is not under warranty and the drive is bad, you can get a new laptop harddrive. installation is easy. you will need your OS/recovery cd's in order to re-load the operating system.
The proper keystroke to enter the bios. When the DELL™ logo appears, press F2 immediately.
The PXE error you see is usually asking the laptop to boot from the network. Perhaps the startup sequence in the bios is set for network boot. This may have happened if the hard drive is not seen in the bios and the network boot is the default boot device. Have you tried to boot from a bootable cd
The PXE error you see is usually asking the laptop to boot from the network. Perhaps the startup sequence in the bios is set for network boot. This may have happened if the hard drive is not seen in the bios and the network boot is the default boot device. Have you tried to boot from a bootable cd
#1 The 5100 is known for major overheating problems and failed CPU's. Dell's answer to the problem was keep replacing the parts till the owners warranties ran out. I suggest all owners turn them into a hot plates for use in their kitchen. They also make great camping cook stoves.
#2 All kidding aside, The media test failure and PXE error means your unit is expecting a lan cable connected to a network at boot. Search the web and read up on "PXE". Because your getting this error you will need to know the process and functions that are taking place in order to define the fault. It can not be typed here as it is way to lengthy. Here is a good page for PXE Codes and what may be causing them: http://h18013.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/rdp/knowledgebase/00000138.html
#3 Some sources that can create the problem you are having:
a. Have you done a virus scan with an older version of Norton Antivirus just recently????
b. Did the virus removal process fail in Safe mode?
c. Is the PXE code an "E20 thru E28" #???? (BIOS / memory problems, I think your problem lies here)
d. Data on your memory chip may be corrupt. Pull it and put it back or get a new one for test.
e. MBA may be corrupt.
#4 Try reseating all the devices on thiese 2 pages: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/upgrades.htm#1084976
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/hdd.htm#1084976
#5 You could try faking it out by connecting it to a home network or one at work or anywhere else you can find one. This may get you to a point where you can get at the bios. If no change at all in the boot messages you may have a NIC problem. If you do get into the bios; turn off all Nics, Modems, Audio & Etended memory. Go back to a plain Jane boot.
#2 All kidding aside, The media test failure and PXE error means your unit is expecting a lan cable connected to a network at boot. Search the web and read up on "PXE". Because your getting this error you will need to know the process and functions that are taking place in order to define the fault. It can not be typed here as it is way to lengthy. Here is a good page for PXE Codes and what may be causing them: http://h18013.www1.hp.com/products/servers/management/rdp/knowledgebase/00000138.html
#3 Some sources that can create the problem you are having:
a. Have you done a virus scan with an older version of Norton Antivirus just recently????
b. Did the virus removal process fail in Safe mode?
c. Is the PXE code an "E20 thru E28" #???? (BIOS / memory problems, I think your problem lies here)
d. Data on your memory chip may be corrupt. Pull it and put it back or get a new one for test.
e. MBA may be corrupt.
#4 Try reseating all the devices on thiese 2 pages: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/upgrades.htm#1084976
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/hdd.htm#1084976
#5 You could try faking it out by connecting it to a home network or one at work or anywhere else you can find one. This may get you to a point where you can get at the bios. If no change at all in the boot messages you may have a NIC problem. If you do get into the bios; turn off all Nics, Modems, Audio & Etended memory. Go back to a plain Jane boot.
Rindi, I'll let you make the call on this one.
Once again,does my comment warrent further evaluation of the point split, as my comment on the PXE error may have had an impact on the resolution of the question as it wasn't referenced by others in previous posts.
Actually I referenced it with the NIC part of my answer. I know I didn't explicitly say "PXE" in the post, but I said that when trying to boot from the NIC he'd get that errormessage...
My apologies rindi, missed that on my read through;-)
no problem.
jamie