Computer Won't Start Up

[Hablin]

Not sure where to post this, but my friends son has a refirbished Dell computer that will not go start up past the Dell logo screen. His father is too busy with work to mess with it right now. He told me that once it gets by the Dell logo screen nothing loads up, its just a black screen with a flashing line on the top.

I am not sure what his specs are, but I can get them in this post when I see him.

 

[nikorr]

Try to exchange the battery on mobo. When battery is weak, this happens.

It is CR 2032.

http://pctechnotes.com/how-to-change-your-cmos-battery/

 

[nikorr]

Than I would clear the CMOS, if it would not start.

Can u reset the BIOS?
Reset the CMOS memory the right way as is described in the motherboard manual using the clear CMOS link with the power cord unplugged.
How To Clear CMOS @ http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm
[flash=480,270]http://www.youtube.com/v/rdHH9KrceR0?version=3&feature=player_detailpage[/flash]

 

[flarenial]

what they said, but i would try to cmos reset first. i've encountered a problem similar to this and it ended up being the psu

 

[danny2000]

Yeah, i've dealt with this many times also and there can be different causes.
Sometimes it will sit like that for hours and hours, and finally come-up with a SMART error code of 07 which means bad hard drive.

 

[danny2000]

Bad memory can also do this or sometimes just re-seating the memory will fix this also.

 

[Hablin]

I told him about the reset and battery. Hes going to look at it tonight I think.
He did do a diagnostic and it came out nothing wrong. So I don't think its hardware.

 

[shanky887614]

most likely it doesnt have an operating system on it


you can download a 30 day trial version of windows 7 off the internet.


i would sugest trying this or using your install disk from windows


if it installs and boot's. you need to go and buy a copy of windows or buy a license key online from microsoft


the keys cost about the same as a new copy of windows with a disk.


you may want to consider a retail copy over an oem version because they can easily be transferd to a new pc


(an oem version is only £20-30 cheaper but windows 8 looks rubish and most people will stick to 7 till windows 9 comes out. which probably wont be for another 4-5 years now

 

[Hablin]

Best answer selected by Hablin.

 

[Hablin]

It took a lot of tries but the restore disc finally loaded. Wierd issue

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr