Member Avatar for dellcomputer

I left the room with my computer on, and came back to the screen being frozen. I tried control alt delete and it didn't work. I hit the reset button and then the computer kept starting up and shutting down over and over. I thought maybe the reset button was stuck. Any idea why this is happening and what can I do to fix it?
Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by thomaduddy

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Several people here (including , , and ) hit the same restart loop. That symptom can come from four broad areas: a shorted/sticky power/reset switch or front-panel wiring, a power-delivery or motherboard fault, a bad memory or device that breaks POST, or a software/OS crash that forces automatic reboot. The checklist below is ordered from least-invasive to more invasive so the problem can be isolated without needless parts changes.

Quick, safe tests to try first:

  1. Remove all power (battery + AC). Hold the power button 20–30 seconds to drain residual charge, then try powering with AC only.
  2. Unplug every external device (USB, PC Card, CD). Try to enter BIOS/POST. If you can reach BIOS, the motherboard/power is probably OK and the cause is likely the HDD/OS or a driver. If it restarts before POST, suspect hardware.
  3. Remove the hard drive and try to boot to BIOS or a rescue CD. If the loop stops with the drive out, focus on the OS/HDD. If it continues, keep looking at memory and board-level faults.
  4. Reseat RAM modules and test with one stick at a time. On a desktop you can also temporarily unplug the reset-switch header on the motherboard to rule out a shorted/reset switch.

Deeper checks and cautions:
Listen for beep or LED blink codes and note the pattern—those are diagnostic. Inspect the DC jack and power adapter for intermittent contact. If opening the case is unfamiliar, avoid damage or warranty voiding; use an ESD strap and proceed carefully or get a service technician. If data recovery is urgent, remove the drive and connect it to another machine before further repair attempts.

If the machine still cycles after these steps, it is increasingly likely a motherboard or power-circuit failure and repair or board replacement will be required.

Member Avatar for ediehm

uhhh, don't use the reset button?...

It _could_ possibly be that the reset button IS stuck... If you have a problem like that happen again, just give it a force shut down.

I'd just say don't use the reset button.

Member Avatar for keving

I left the room with my computer on, and came back to the screen being frozen. I tried control alt delete and it didn't work. I hit the reset button and then the computer kept starting up and shutting down over and over. I thought maybe the reset button was stuck. Any idea why this is happening and what can I do to fix it?
Thanks

Did you get a resolution for this? I am having the same problem with my Inspiron 5000e.

Member Avatar for thomaduddy

I left the room with my computer on, and came back to the screen being frozen. I tried control alt delete and it didn't work. I hit the reset button and then the computer kept starting up and shutting down over and over. I thought maybe the reset button was stuck. Any idea why this is happening and what can I do to fix it?
Thanks

Im having the same restarting problem. I tried taking the battery out, which didn't make a difference. Seems like a number of people have experienced the problem. I wonder if it's just a computer crash and thats it. Cuase I havent seen any answers. What happened to your system? Thanks.
Thomas

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