Dell Inspiron 545 desktop options

macgyver

TheRightOne said:

macgyver said:

I did unplug the pc n touched the metal n earthed myself before swapping but did not press the power button for 20 sec.
Let me clean the memory sticks with eraser and test them again individually and see if it helps.
Thanks
Done the RAM n tested them individually. But no joy.
Need to update the BIOS. Let me save the file and go through the steps. Will keep you updated
Update: Created the Freedos Bootable USB and tried to start the system but again nothing happened.
Will try and find the PSWD and RTCRST on the motherboard and follow the steps suggested by grumpycrab and see if it helps.
Thank you all

Describe the steps you took to try to start the system. Can you actually get to the BIOS set-up screen? Have you tried?

Cannot go to the bios screen. The screen stays black. 
Have checked all the connections. 
Did take some pictures before I started. Will try again with the internal n external connections 
Thanks

TheRightOne

macgyver said:

TheRightOne said:

macgyver said:

I did unplug the pc n touched the metal n earthed myself before swapping but did not press the power button for 20 sec.
Let me clean the memory sticks with eraser and test them again individually and see if it helps.
Thanks
Done the RAM n tested them individually. But no joy.
Need to update the BIOS. Let me save the file and go through the steps. Will keep you updated
Update: Created the Freedos Bootable USB and tried to start the system but again nothing happened.
Will try and find the PSWD and RTCRST on the motherboard and follow the steps suggested by grumpycrab and see if it helps.
Thank you all

Describe the steps you took to try to start the system. Can you actually get to the BIOS set-up screen? Have you tried?

Cannot go to the bios screen. The screen stays black. 
Have checked all the connections. 
Did take some pictures before I started. Will try again with the internal n external connections 
Thanks

Is that a description of the steps taken?

TheRightOne

Anyway...change the CMOS battery: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIbyfxX8JsI

Once you have completed that, if still no joy, we'll try a BIOS recovery.

macgyver

Sorry  - Here are the steps I took.
1. I removed all the RAM, cleaned their contacts with a pencil eraser and tested them individually.  It didn't work
2. Downloaded the Dell Insprion Desktop 545/545s system BIOS, A12 on my laptop
3. Created a freeDOS bootable usb with Rufus by following the instructions.
4. I Powered up my system with the FreeDOS Bootable USB and kept pressing [F12]
5. The screen stayed black and nothing happened.

TheRightOne

macgyver said:

Sorry  - Here are the steps I took.
1. I removed all the RAM, cleaned their contacts with a pencil eraser and tested them individually.  It didn't work
2. Downloaded the Dell Insprion Desktop 545/545s system BIOS, A12 on my laptop
3. Created a freeDOS bootable usb with Rufus by following the instructions.
4. I Powered up my system with the FreeDOS Bootable USB and kept pressing [F12]
5. The screen stayed black and nothing happened.

So let's try the RTC battery replacement as in the YouTube video above. If no joy can try a further BIOS recovery, not the standard BIOS flash.. 

DoaM

Obvious question again (sorry) ... you've checked that the monitor is connected properly, is turned On (i.e. the power is OK) and the correct input is selected?

macgyver

DoaM said:

Obvious question again (sorry) ... you've checked that the monitor is connected properly, is turned On (i.e. the power is OK) and the correct input is selected?

Yes, checked that multiple times. Moreover the pc is not making any noises as it used to earlier. It still has got the old hdd. 
Going to order CMOS battery.
Thank you

poppellerant

macgyver said:

DoaM said:

Obvious question again (sorry) ... you've checked that the monitor is connected properly, is turned On (i.e. the power is OK) and the correct input is selected?

Yes, checked that multiple times. Moreover the pc is not making any noises as it used to earlier. It still has got the old hdd. 
Going to order CMOS battery.
Thank you

I wouldn't spend much money on a battery.  You can buy a CR2032 battery from a pound shop, available in multipacks.  Quicker and cheaper than buying online.

getmore4less

What did you do to clean the inside before you started?
There is nearly always some dust in the memory slots  that needs blow/sucking out before you start playing with memory sticks
You can work out for yourself how to get rid of the dust plenty of do and don't guides around
You get a beep that's something, any lights/fans working at power on

I would keep away from the CPU/heatsink  for now maybe take the fan off the heatsink and cleanout that if that is full of dust once you get it going before putting the cover back on the case

macgyver

I just cleaned it with clean cloth and the memory sticks with an eraser. I do not have a forced air blower. Would clean the fans again. Let me buy the battery today from pound shop and replace it.
Thanks