Dell complaints

belfento · conscientious beginner Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

"Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility"

I don't know what it means. Windows runs normally after I hit F1, and there don't seem to be any problems. Aside from having to hit F1 every time I start the computer, it works just fine. I just want to make sure it's nothing serious.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:11 am Post subject:

That is odd, that you get the error but nothing goes wrong. You might clear the BIOS event log under F2, see if it goes away, see if it comes back. I'd say reseat the video card, but if it works properly it's probably seated properly.

The BIOS errors I'm familiar with are self resetting, that one may not be. If it actually is something going wrong, there is nothing you can do to keep it from getting worse. If it reaches a point where it no longer works, either the video card or motherboard will need replacing.

There is one other thing to try, the BIOS reset. There is a fingertip size jumper on the MB, near the battery. Unplug, move the jumper from the pins it is on to the other set for 10 sec, then put it back where it was. You'll have to F2 and reenter your configuration data, and reset the clock in Windows.
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belfento · conscientious beginner Joined: 11 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind when the computer finally decides to stop working.

FallenAngel · Super Hater Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1493

Mostly, it'll be the NIC bridge that gives that error, but the gist is the same. The NIC would have to be cycled through power states by turning it off then onn from BIOS after reboots and stuff. I suspect that this error will likely have the same manner of conclusion. Cycling it through BIOS settings.

Clearing the logs and NVRAM may be a good place to start. Perhaps even checking the Dell support site right afterwards to see if they have a revised/newer BIOS to flash to may be appropriate in this case.

Nighthawk · Regular Hater Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

Last time I saw this error the user had an old NIC PCI card in there that they didn't know for sure was good or not. We took it out & problem solved. The user admitted it was taken from a stack of cards that hadn't been verified as working and continued on their way.
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Dipankar · Regular Hater Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 10

Which system have you got? Also in the BIOS check on what Option is the NIC set on