Computer power-on problem - how to resolve?

[Eagleeye]

Good morning everyone,

 

     Computer specs shown in signature line below.

 

Description of problem:

 

When I pushed the power button (and held it down for 3 seconds) to turn on the computer this morning, it "appeared" to start up, but within 5 seconds, it shut off.  On the 4th attempt, the machine finally booted up and I was able to log-on.

 

This computer is a refurbished computer given to me 2 years ago.

 

My question(s):

 

1.  Is the above problem indicative the computer is about to become completely inoperable, or is there some other explanation?

 

2.  Any suggestions for addressing this problem at this point?

 

Thanks very much for your time, review, and any feedback.

 

EE

[David H. Lipman]

Dell Diagnostsics

 

Download the Dell Diagnostics and run  a complete ( extended ) system check.

[Eagleeye]

Hi David and thanks for the link.

 

Question:  On the Dell site, it indicates the diagnostic is for Win XP/Vista 32-bit computers.  Will it work on this Win 7 64 bit machine?

 

Thanks.

 

EE

[David H. Lipman]

You can always run a 8bit, 16bit, 32bit on a 64bit system.  Especially if the 8bit, 16bit, 32bit application boots into it's own Operating System (OS).
 
What you can't do is run 64bit application or OS on a 32bit, 16bit or 8bit platform.
 
It has been a while ( for me ) but there is a version of Dell Diagnostics that runs off a small 32MB or so partition on a Dell system preloaded at the factory, Dell Diagnostics that runs off a bootable Dell drivers and diagnostics CD/DVD ROM and maybe even executed under the Windows OS.
 
It is preferable to to run the diagnostics off a CDROM or other independent media so the only software that is used is the DOS that is on the media and the actual diagnostics.

 

How to Run the Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility
 
BTW:  There is also a limited Diagnostics in ROM that can be launched via a "Hot Key" sequence at POST.

[daledoc1]

 

BTW:  There is also a limited Diagnostics in ROM that can be launched via a "Hot Key" sequence at POST.

 

That is usually F12 for a Dell box, I think?

 

Also, you can go to Dell.com support page, enter the Service Tag # for the machine and review the available support options (there are usually appropriate links to the various tools David mentioned, and other utilities, options)?

[Firefox]

DD is correct, it is the F12 Key and you can run the diagnostics from there.

[Eagleeye]

Thanks very much David, DD1 and FF for your respective help!

 

I restarted the computer, pressing the <F12> key, then selected "DIAGNOSTICS" from the menu shown on the screen.  The PSA memory test began to run for about 15 minutes or so, and NO errors were shown.

 

The message on the screen then asked if I wanted to continue with further memory testing, and I clicked NO, and the computer then began booting up normally, as usual.

Also, there is NO diagnostic partition on this refurbished machine either.

 

As for trying to utilize that 32-bit diagnostic tool......I seem to be unable to even begin to understand any of it.  Unfortunately, age and deteriorating health have taken a severe toll on me and I'm just not able to grasp an understanding of a lot of things I once could.  At this point, I will just leave things the way they are and hope the powering-on problem doesn't occur again.

 

Again, I appreciate all your help!

 

EE

[daledoc1]

Sorry to hear about your health problems.

 

You may have failing hardware.

It would probably be a good idea to be sure your data is backed up in at least 2 different ways (e.g. cloud and external local USB drive or other media).

 

Did you check to see if there is a BIOS update for your Service Tag #?

Is the system under some kind of refurb warranty?

If not, then Dell probably offers some sort of fee-based, per-incident support.

 

OTOH, if the system is old, it may not be worth putting $$ into it?

 

Best regards,

[David H. Lipman]

Download the Dell Diagnostics and run  a complete ( extended ) system check.

[Eagleeye]

(For DD1):

 

Thank you for your thoughtfulness.  I do have personal data backed-up on two different USB flash drives + I have complete system images (made twice a week) stored on a 1 TB external WD My Passport hard drive, using the Win 7 backup utility.  This computer was given to me by a former work associate back in 2012. 

 

There was only a 60-day warranty on it then.  Paid support is not an option, unfortunately, as I subsist one month to the next upon a very limited disability comp.  Will look into that other BIOS suggestion you mentioned.

 

(For David):

 

I'm still befuddled.  I've attached a screenshot of what is shown after downloading/unzipping that Dell Diagnostic utility on my computer HDD, and clicking on that DDDP.exe file (Run as Administrator).  I then tried the first option shown of creating a bootable USB flash drive.  Files are now shown on that flash drive.  Clicking on the aforementioned .exe file on the flash drive only generates the same image as shown below again.

 

I then clicked on the "Finished creating the diagnostic media" option.  Then I once again clicked on the DDDP.exe file, and the same image is shown yet again.

 

Thanks again for trying to help!  I'm just not understanding this stuff...sorry.

 

EE

 

[David H. Lipman]

Choose:  Create a Bootable CD

 

Once created, you boot from that CD and run the Dell Diagnostics.

[Eagleeye]

Much obliged for the info, David.

 

EE