[skhill62]

Ok, apologize for the stupid question.
I did detail what I thought was the RAM.
Can you describe what that hardware looks like in the tower?
I am not home, but can look when I get home.

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Did you look at the link that I provided Installing a DIMM memory module in your desktop computer look to see how many Ram sticks are in the memory slots on your MB (motherboard).

[phillpower2]

Did you look at the link that I provided Installing a DIMM memory module in your desktop computer look to see how many Ram sticks are in the memory slots on your MB (motherboard).

[skhill62]

I did not, but I will now.
Do I run the diagnostics after I find out, or report back to this forum?

[phillpower2]

Sorry but I am confused as you said in your reply #42

Ok ran the diagnostics and the keyboard seemed fine.

Check the amount of Ram and post back please.

[skhill62]

Yes confirmed 2 ram sticks.

[phillpower2]

What was the outcome of the Dell extended testing please.

The following testing will take some time so please do not hurry with it and above all keep yourself safe and follow the steps exactly.

How to physically test your Ram.

The following checks require the computer case to be opened so take the following safety precautions 1st, disconnect the power cord from the wall socket and take anti static precautions before touching anything inside, you can do this by touching a bare metal part of the case.

Have a pencil and notepad to hand.
Remove each stick of Ram and blow out the memory slots.
Insert the first stick of Ram in memory slot one, reconnect the power and in the case of a desktop computer the video to screen cable.
Power up the computer and see how it goes.
Make a note of the results.
Repeat the procedure until the first stick of Ram has been tested in each memory slot and the results written down.
Remove the first stick of Ram and put it to one side on top of a piece of paper with the number one on it for identification purposes.
Repeat the procedure with all Ram until each stick has been tested in all slots, the results written down and the sticks identified numerically.
Please note that some MBs (motherboards) will not boot unless there is Ram in slot one so please provide us with your motherboard details, brand, model name/number and any revision number, these details may be found by the CPU, between the PCI slots and/or around the edge of the motherboard, once we have the MB details we can look for the user manual.

[skhill62]

System Date says November 9, 2004. When I escape the set up page, and get an F1 option for retry boot, i can only get back to F2.
Both me and the computer are gong to sleep.

This suggests that either the CMOS battery has expired and needs replacing or in a worse case scenario the BIOS chip is hosed.
The CMOS battery being dead is the most likely candidate as they do not last forever, typically 6/7 and possibly up to 10 years, this is dependant on how old the battery was already when it was first inserted into the MB.

The first thing that I suggest that you do is restart the computer, disable the floppy disk device in the BIOS, also in the BIOS set the correct time and date, save and exit and see if the computer will boot into XP, canned details below for convenience;

To change the Boot Sequence in the BIOS/disable the floppy disk in this instance.
Reboot the system and at the first post screen (where it is counting up memory) start tapping the appropriate button that allows you to access the BIOS (Esc - Del – F2 etc)
This will enter you into the BIOS/CMOS
Find the Advanced area and click Enter
Look for Boot Sequence or Boot Options and highlight that click Enter
Now highlight the first drive and follow the directions on the bottom of the screen on how to modify it and change it to DVD/ CD drive
Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit.
Click Y and the system will now hopefully reboot into XP with the new settings.

While you are in the BIOS you will also need to reset the time and date and again save the new settings (F10) and then Y to accept the changes.

If you are able to boot normally into XP, use the computer as you normally would but when you are finished do not shut down the computer but restart it to see if 1: you are able to boot straight into XP and 2: to check that the time and date settings are still correct, if all is good fully shut down the computer, disconnect the power cord from the wall socket and then press the power on button for a couple of seconds to dispel any residual charge that has remained within the system.

The acid test will come the next time that you power up the computer, if the CMOS battery has expired then the previous settings that you saved will have been lost and the date reverted back to November 9, 2004 which is the date that the BIOS was first activated on the MB.

To replace the CMOS battery please refer to the attachment below.

Tip;

If you have something to add while waiting for a reply use the edit tab – bottom right of the dialogue input box and this will ensure that no information that you provide is overlooked (this can happen if your topic has more than one page) thank you for understanding.

Good day
Trying to run the disc with Linux on it to maybe try to save or move the dll.
Despite having two cd/DVD drives, when I change in set up it says they are not installed.
Any idea what I might be doing wrong?

[phillpower2]

Where are you being told that the drives are not installed

Are the drives listed as in the example here which shows a TSST CD type drive

[skhill62]

Thanks so much for sending that. No exact but similar.
If I go into f2 and select drive configuration I have choices of diskette drive a which says not installed.
Followed by
Primary master drive hard drive
Primary slave drive-off
Secondary master drive -off
Secondary slave drive- off

IDE drive udma- on

[phillpower2]

Are the two DVD/CD drives on a seperate data ribbon.

If you want to boot from one of the DVD/CD drives they need to be set as the primary drive and the hard drive as the secondary drive.

As an asides skhill62, in my reply #51 I asked "What was the outcome of the Dell extended testing please." + I also provided comprehensive details for testing the Ram, you have not yet answered the question or tested the Ram but have instead gone off in a different direction, I am more than happy to help for as long as it takes but please answer each question that I ask and only try troubleshooting steps that are suggested here in this thread or we will be going around in circles, thank you for understanding.

[skhill62]

Was able to restore my XP after booting with a linux cinnamon file and moving around a couple of .dll files.
I am not sure I ever would have gotten there, without your help with the battery.
Thanks so much.
Cheers.

[phillpower2]

That`s great news and thanks for letting us know how the issue was resolved

As soon as you are able to I would make a back up image of your HDD using Macrium Reflect free, details here

You are welcome btw