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gerlis

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"Plug & Play Configuration Error" on start-up

Client's PC, Dell Dimension 4300,  on boot-up comes up with "Plug & Play Configuration Error"  Offers Press F1 to continue & it goes into what looks like Safe Mode, or F2 to enter setup but I cannot find any plug & Play options in BIOS settings

Dell KB not much use (though I've yet to phone them, but it's a Saturday and they're not open), but the diagnistic light on the back do indicate a hardware error, but unspecified on the Dell KB,just says to contact Dell support

I've opened the machine and re-seated everything, but no improvement

All ideas welcome please
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ellis-

Try taking out the battery from the motherboard. leave it out for an hours or so and put it back in.

Its round so you dont pull anything else out =P
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ASKER

Thanks, but already tried that (since I posted my message)

...and for a moment I thought it had cured it. As it started up it said it was finding devices or words to that effect

But then it said plug & play configuration error 3 or 4 times and since then same problem, but also now as it starts in Windows, bang! BSOD! 'unmountable boot volume'

I think this machine's h/w is severely messed up?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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SheharyaarSaahil
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ASKER

You are just toooooooooooooooo good!

Cured it!

Interestingly (and perhaps with hindsight I should have tried it earlier), when I removed the network card (the only non-Dell hardware item), it didn't come up with the plug & play error, but the 'unmountable boot volume' still appeared. The SRC commands cured that.  

It might be possible that the network card problem may have caused the knock-on problem with the volume, don't really know. I put the network card in about a month ago into this client's PC and has been working OK until now. Oh well, NICs do go wrong, though experience this rarely these days.

Happy client, happy me, loads of point to you, SheharyaarSaahil and I am learning all the time!

Thanks again

Excellent gerlis.... i was not sure, but happy that it worked for you :)
Cheers ^_^
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ASKER

Have a good Sunday and don't spend all your time on EE! (unless it's helping me :-))
lol...... :D
and btw gerlis.... u are not required to type that much for my name, my frinds call me Shehar, and am i supposed to tell that u can do the same ;-)
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ASKER

Shehar ...will do!

..and a little secret, Gerlis is actually my last name, my first name is Howard.
wow.. but dont you think that Gerlis sounds more like a "gentleman name"  ;-)
lol just kidding.... can i still continue to call u gerlis =)
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ASKER

Fine by me! :-))

Just don't call me late for dinner (a little joke for a Sunday) ;-}
nopes..... i will not !! ;-D