Dell Dimension PC Crash on Booting up

albionrovers

Ok, old kit but good for kids up in converted loft for browing web etc

Boots up for a few mins in XP Home - click on user - updates anti-virus then shuts down windows with blue screen - message something about shutting down windows for safety - no culprit file mentioned -

Sorry for lack of clues - I booted up in SAFE mode but same result - what is this likely to be? Any pointers? Remember, the only remedial action I can do is from command line due to crash ...

Like I said, sorry for lack of info - if too vague, then no problem, cheers.

Laz123

Could be software or hardware. Have you checked inside for anything loose? Do you have a reinstallation cd?

If your hidden partition is still there you could press Ctrl and F11 on bootup and you can select the option to restore to factory settings.

John_Gray

It would be very useful if you could record the STOP code and the text which follows (usually in capitals with underscores separating the words). This can be looked up to give a clue about where the problem might lie.
Restoring to factory settings is a bit of a last resort!

albionrovers

Thx for replies.
I'll try and post STOP code this evening John but tbh factory settings would be just fine, nothing really stored on the disk.

Although a factory restore wouldn't fix a dodgy eg. graphics card so I'll check for the code first.

albionrovers

STOP code = MEMORY_MANAGEMENT. A quick Google hints at blue screen of death arrrrgghhhhhhh

Any clues? Thx.

Laz123

My fellow aid might think differently, but it sounds like it's the ram that's the culprit. Have a look to see if they're seated properly http://computermemoryupgrade.mysuperpc.com/ddr_memory_upgrade_tutorial_slots.shtml There's a clip on either end to retain firmly. Make sure you're properly earthed when working inside as I've seen a motherboard fried by static.

ChiefGrasscutter

Actually doing a factory restore is the easy bit.

The next bit...which is re-installing ALL of your software, doing ALL the updates since the year dot, doing ALL the various bug/patch fixes by remembereing what the conflict was before between two bits of software and re-downloading it. Then getting all your options & preferences reset up again.........
Thats the bit that takes the time: a lot of it!
I know I've done a factory restore on my Dimension 5000 to clean out the crap.

Dell provided a hidden partition for the factory restore function - exactly how it works/what were the access keys (fn+??? pressed at a very precise point in the boot up sequence) depends on exactly what model it is.

albionrovers

Factory restore and now get "ialmrnt5" blue screen . . . a google says download new drivers - how can I with a blue screen of death?

Laz123

If you phone up Dell support (Indian call centre) and explain they may send you 2 discs FOC. They did with me when I was 2 years out of warranty. I could then reinstall xp and load drivers on my Dimension.