Member Avatar for teeemn88

So about three months ago a virus was rampaging my parents old DELL 2400, and I did not feel like fooling with it so I took it to a computer repair place to add some anti-virus ware and get rid of the little booger. Now, however; the thing gets stuck at the dell load screen and wont let me do anything as if it is frozen. At first I thought it was maybe the power supply but now I am not so sure. If somone knows anything about these old DELLs please help me out... my parents are too old to get readjusted to a new computer.

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Short summary and practical next steps for the Dell Dimension 2400 case described by (virus months ago, shop installed AV, machine stuck at the Dell splash but later worked): the freeze at the Dell logo is a POST/firmware-stage halt rather than a Windows problem. correctly pointed to the BIOS/POST area. Intermittent recovery like this usually means a flaky hardware/firmware condition or a peripheral that sometimes prevents POST — not a typical file-level virus symptom — but the prior infection makes a careful cleanup and backup prudent.

Recommended immediate actions (while the PC is currently working)

  • Create a full disk image now (so a known-good snapshot exists if it fails again). Use a disk-imaging tool or rescue media and store the image externally.
  • Run an offline anti-malware rescue scan from bootable media to check for boot-sector/rootkit infections before trusting the system.
  • Note BIOS version and any unusual BIOS settings; record them for later troubleshooting.

If the freeze returns — structured troubleshooting to isolate the culprit

  • Disconnect all external USB devices, card readers and nonessential peripherals; try a cold boot.
  • Power off, open the case and do a minimal-boot: one RAM stick, onboard video, primary drive only. Re-seat RAM, power connectors and data cables. Test each RAM stick and slot one at a time.
  • Watch for POST beep codes or front-panel LEDs and record the pattern — they point to memory/CPU/board faults.
  • Replace or reseat IDE/drive cables (older 2400s often use PATA). A failing drive or cable can hang POST.
  • If the problem is reproducible, only then consider a BIOS update from Dell’s official support for the exact model — update procedures can brick the board if done wrong.

Notes and cautions

  • If hardware tinkering is unfamiliar, stop and get a technician to avoid ESD or BIOS-flash risks.
  • Even if it “fixed itself,” keep regular images and backups, monitor SMART for the hard drive, and treat the machine as suspect until a clean image/reinstall is performed.

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Member Avatar for gurukid22

Its not the power supply.

If you mean the dell load screen that first comes up not the when windows is loading then this is POST and it is checking hardware you can try flushing bios by pressing f2 or del at the first screen. this will take you to bios restore it to factory settings.

If you mean the second screen after post just before windows loads this would make more sense and suggested the virus infected an important dll and the antivirus deleted it so press F8 during boot select safe mode if it then boots we know this is the case so get some backup software i recommend Dmailer Backup from because its free and very diverse. Backup your data and reinstall windows i would definately format given the age of the computer.

when you

Member Avatar for teeemn88

Yes it was the first screen that says DELL, but this problem seemed to solve itself because now it works perfectly fine. I do , however; thank you for the advice and will make use of the software that you suggested.

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