After Dell crashed, 2 BEEPS and F1/F2 message

MetaRCK · 05-14-2008, 10:34 PM

My Dell Dimension gave the error report that it could not find the hard drive, so I bought and installed a new hard drive WD 160GB SE. Dell sent me new system disks, and as I tried to reload the Operating System (Win XP S2) I got the right POST, "Dell" page and then 2 beeps and a black screen with white letters stating to "Hit F1 or F2 for system set-up."
F1 does not respond....nada...zip...F2 works (so the keyboard setting is correct) and I have my new drive and all other hard drives, RAM, CPU, etc recognized.
Changed the CMOS battery, and got a new RAM card. Still the black screen, and still the F1 key is not able to boot up the system. ( I did change the Boot order, so that the DVD drive is the first boot drive). The new OS cd is in this drive ready to go...but always I hear two beeps!
Tried to clear Nvrie (?) by taking out the individual components one at a time then reseating each one... First was the hard drive, then etc...
Please help me to get this computer back to our high school honor student before year end!
Thanks, Meta

johnhook · 05-15-2008, 01:57 AM

MetaRCK,

What is your exact Dell Dimension Model (see sticker on the back of PC with barcode)?

Can you still get into the BIOS setup? If so, set the date/time, exit and SAVE settings. Turn OFF the PC and unplug it for about 1-hour or so. Plug it back in, turn on and go back into the BIOS setup. Are the Date/Time current or have they reset to some old date? This will tell us if the battery is installed properly and working.

Have you tried re-seating the RAM memory cards? Improperly installed RAM can cause POST (beep) errors. Do you have any USB devices attached? If so, remove them and try power-resetting the PC.

Reply with the Dimension model and answers to my questions and hopefully we can get the PC running again.

- John

MetaRCK · 05-15-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhook

MetaRCK,

What is your exact Dell Dimension Model (see sticker on the back of PC with barcode)?

Can you still get into the BIOS setup? If so, set the date/time, exit and SAVE settings. Turn OFF the PC and unplug it for about 1-hour or so. Plug it back in, turn on and go back into the BIOS setup. Are the Date/Time current or have they reset to some old date? This will tell us if the battery is installed properly and working.

Have you tried re-seating the RAM memory cards? Improperly installed RAM can cause POST (beep) errors. Do you have any USB devices attached? If so, remove them and try power-resetting the PC.

Reply with the Dimension model and answers to my questions and hopefully we can get the PC running again.

- John

Thanks John for your speedy reply! My Dell is a Dimension 2400.
You are right-on for the troubleshooting...I did buy a new battery, and the date and time hold true. I reseated the RAM card, and still the beeps.
The Operating CD for XP S2 is brand-new, but it could be a problem???? Could I test it on another computer that is already loaded with XP ot see if it works?
When I cleared the NVRAM by taking out each component, the BIOS Set-up did give the right info on which component was missing...
I appreciated your forums' links to the bios central website where I tried to determine what these beeps meant... but I'm not sure which is which??? I think that it is a 1-1 or could be a quick 2...
I was getting an error message "error detecting diskette drive", but one was never installed on this Dell which was bought from the manufacturer. Would it be best to try installing one? I did disable the diskette drive in the BIOS Set-up... and I did change the boot order to boot first from CD drive...
Yikes! Glad for assistance!
Meta

MetaRCK · 06-05-2008, 07:16 PM

I was out-of-town, so I wasn't able to continue with this trouble shooting, though the problem persists...Today, at last, I changed and re-seated cables until the four indicator lights on the back of my Dell Dimension 2400 are all green. (The cable issue light had been on before this) One step forward...
Now what I get is a black blank scree with a blinking curser that will not boot or respond to any keystrokes!
What should I do?

05-14-2008, 10:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
MetaRCK Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: WinXP S2	After Dell crashed, 2 BEEPS and F1/F2 message My Dell Dimension gave the error report that it could not find the hard drive, so I bought and installed a new hard drive WD 160GB SE. Dell sent me new system disks, and as I tried to reload the Operating System (Win XP S2) I got the right POST, "Dell" page and then 2 beeps and a black screen with white letters stating to "Hit F1 or F2 for system set-up." F1 does not respond....nada...zip...F2 works (so the keyboard setting is correct) and I have my new drive and all other hard drives, RAM, CPU, etc recognized. Changed the CMOS battery, and got a new RAM card. Still the black screen, and still the F1 key is not able to boot up the system. ( I did change the Boot order, so that the DVD drive is the first boot drive). The new OS cd is in this drive ready to go...but always I hear two beeps! Tried to clear Nvrie (?) by taking out the individual components one at a time then reseating each one... First was the hard drive, then etc... Please help me to get this computer back to our high school honor student before year end! Thanks, Meta

05-15-2008, 01:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 810 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: After Dell crashed, 2 BEEPS and F1/F2 message MetaRCK, What is your exact Dell Dimension Model (see sticker on the back of PC with barcode)? Can you still get into the BIOS setup? If so, set the date/time, exit and SAVE settings. Turn OFF the PC and unplug it for about 1-hour or so. Plug it back in, turn on and go back into the BIOS setup. Are the Date/Time current or have they reset to some old date? This will tell us if the battery is installed properly and working. Have you tried re-seating the RAM memory cards? Improperly installed RAM can cause POST (beep) errors. Do you have any USB devices attached? If so, remove them and try power-resetting the PC. Reply with the Dimension model and answers to my questions and hopefully we can get the PC running again. - John __________________

06-05-2008, 07:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
MetaRCK Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3 OS: WinXP S2	Re: After Dell crashed, 2 BEEPS and F1/F2 message I was out-of-town, so I wasn't able to continue with this trouble shooting, though the problem persists...Today, at last, I changed and re-seated cables until the four indicator lights on the back of my Dell Dimension 2400 are all green. (The cable issue light had been on before this) One step forward... Now what I get is a black blank scree with a blinking curser that will not boot or respond to any keystrokes! What should I do?