Dell Desktop Issues

[RucHee]

At work, I am working on a Dell Desktop to fix. In order to fix the system, i need to do a windows repair, but there is a limiting factor. While the system is booting, there is a text message on the screen saying "Input Out of Range". This obviously refers to the screen resolution / frequency, but how does that even change from factory settings? It's during the POST of the boot, and should never be unable to display. I can't get into Windows repair without getting POST to show. I can't do a repair from CD because the CD is Windows XP Pro SP1, and the current version on the machine is SP2, so it complains about the new version.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Nick5324]

Originally posted by: RucHee
At work, I am working on a Dell Desktop to fix. In order to fix the system, i need to do a windows repair, but there is a limiting factor. While the system is booting, there is a text message on the screen saying "Input Out of Range". This obviously refers to the screen resolution / frequency, but how does that even change from factory settings? It's during the POST of the boot, and should never be unable to display. I can't get into Windows repair without getting POST to show. I can't do a repair from CD because the CD is Windows XP Pro SP1, and the current version on the machine is SP2, so it complains about the new version.

Any ideas? Thanks.

That is strange about the out of range message, do you have another monitor you can try? You are right about not doing a repair with the different service packs, I guess I'd use a program like nlite to make a SP2 disc.

 

[RucHee]

I have tried it on 3 separate monitors (2x with 1280x1024 max, and 1x with 1600x1200 max). I don't know what's wrong with the machine. I would also attempt to flash the CMOS, but in past expieriences, Dell does not want you to do this (does not provide you with CMOS jumper). I guess I could try to unplugg power, and take out CMOS battery, which I may do shortly, unless anyone has any other ideas? Thanks

 

[mzkhadir]

can you even get into the bios ?

 

[RucHee]

I'm not sure which button it is to get into bios, so i hit F1, F2, F11, and Delete. The system never got into windows, so i'm guessing it was stuck in bios. If it was, then the bios are not viewable.

 

[mzkhadir]

Originally posted by: RucHee
I'm not sure which button it is to get into bios, so i hit F1, F2, F11, and Delete. The system never got into windows, so i'm guessing it was stuck in bios. If it was, then the bios are not viewable.

on Dells its F2 to get into bios.

 

[Lanyap]

If you can see the BIOS when you hit F2 then the display setting in windows is probably corrupted. You might try starting windows in safe mode (hit F8 multiple times when you first power up) to see if you can get in.