Member Avatar for Rebeccaslaoui3

Hello i have a newer dell computer that was given to me by a friend it worked for a few days and then one day i tried starting it up. it will get to the windows screen where it says "prees f1 for bios" at the bottom but then it goes to a black screen with a blinking bar then restarts itself. its like it never kicks over to the desktop. just keeps reatsrting and restarting....i have had a couple of people look at it and a lot of different answers. if someone can help me with this i would greatly appreciate it. it would save me from having to buy a whole new computer.

thank you,
becca

  • 4 Contributors
  • 5 Replies
  • 214 Views
  • 6 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by darshan003

Dani AI

Generated

A short, focused troubleshooting roadmap to add to the thread: the symptom described by (BIOS prompt, then a blinking cursor and immediate reboot) usually points to hardware before Windows loads. Several answers already suggested good first checks — (memory), (drive/OS), and (disconnect devices) — and it helps to follow a strict isolation order so the failing part can be identified rather than guessed. Start by running the Dell pre-boot diagnostics from the One Time Boot Menu (F12) and note any error/validation codes; those codes narrow the investigation to a specific device or subsystem. (dell.com)

Next, perform a minimal (bench/breadboard) boot to isolate components. With AC removed and static precautions in place, remove all non-essential devices (all drives, extra RAM sticks, expansion cards, USB peripherals) and attempt to POST with only the motherboard, CPU with cooler, one RAM stick, PSU, and video output (only if required). Place the board on a non-conductive surface and short the power switch pins to start; observe fan behavior, onboard debug LEDs or beep codes, and add parts back one at a time to find the failing item. (teamviewer.com)

If the system restarts immediately when control is handed from BIOS to device initialization, suspect power or board-level faults. Test or swap the power supply (use a dedicated PSU tester or a known-good unit rather than relying only on the paperclip trick), inspect the motherboard for bulging/leaking capacitors or damaged components, and reset the BIOS by clearing CMOS or replacing the coin cell if the BIOS prompts persist. If hardware checks are clean and the PC reaches the OS, run Windows Startup Repair / Bootrec to fix boot records. (howtogeek.com)

Concise order-of-operations to follow: 1) run Dell diagnostics and record codes; 2) minimal-boot bench test; 3) swap/test PSU; 4) visual motherboard inspection and CMOS reset; 5) if hardware passes, run OS repair tools. Note ESD and safety precautions and recommend a shop/technician for any step involving soldering, PSU mains work, or part swaps if confidence or tools are limited.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for lawli56

Check the RAM.

Member Avatar for Rebeccaslaoui3

How do I do that?

Member Avatar for lawli56

If you have access to another PC with cd burning capabilities download memtest86, burn to cd and run the test. Make sure your BIOS is set to boot from the CD first.

http://www.memtest.org/

If not ,then if you have more than 1 memory stick try booting with just 1 stick at a timeto find the faulty one.

Member Avatar for l0ki

This could one of many problems and like lawli56 said the best thing to do first is to check the memory and would even check the hdd for problems! if the hardware checks out you can then try and do and n repair on the windows wich would 80% of the time sort out the problem!

Member Avatar for darshan003

if your computer restarts before reaching to OS pls do the following.
1) Disconnect all the drives (HDD, CD, FDD etc.
2) only keep monitor cable and keyboard cable connected.
3) start the PC and go to BIOS and check whether it restarts again.
4) if restarts pls make sure the processor is not over heating.
if it reaches to the OS and then restarts then try to check the memory first and then try OS repair.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.