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General discussion

Boot up problem

Mar 5, 2004 9:37PM PST

Something happened to my computer that causes me to have to press F1 to allow it to finish booting up. I turn it on and then a screen comes up that says press F1 to continue. After I do this everything is ok. I'm running Windows XP, and it's a Dell computer. Is there a way to fix this?
Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re:Boot up problem
Mar 5, 2004 9:55PM PST

Have you tried doing a system restore?

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Sounds like you have the...
Mar 5, 2004 10:01PM PST

MSBlaster worm.

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Addendum: Try running this..
Mar 5, 2004 11:28PM PST
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Re:Boot up problem
Mar 5, 2004 11:35PM PST

I'm sure the others mean well, but those solutions don't sound like they're going to work at all.

My guess is there's something screwy with your CMOS settings and the part about forcing you to hit some key to start booting is designed to get you to investigate. Unfortunately, we've entered a period of learned helplessness where most people don't have a clue about anything in the CMOS, they don't even know it exists.

Considering it's a Dell system, you paid for a warranty and support. Assuming the contract on those is still good, make use of it. Otherwise all you basically did was pay an extra $500 or so over what you could have built the same system for from individual parts, and no one likes to feel like they paid for something they didn't have to, do they? It's like buying name brand asprin at a few dollar premium and saying, "Yeah, I know the generic stuff is the same chemical formula, probably even made by the same company as this stuff, but it's my little way of helping the economy." You paid for support, make use of it. Look at it this way, when else will you get to make a free international call (since you'll probably talk to some person in India)?

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Re:Boot up problem
Mar 6, 2004 2:07AM PST

1. When the computer is stated and a Windows Protection Error is received displaying the following options after the Power On Self Test (POST) is completed, the error may identify the device which caused the anomaly and sometimes not. Depending on the manufacturer of the motherboard BIOS/CMOS, the error may be listed on the display indication the applicable item in a section which requires editing. In some instances, the action may require nothing more than opening the BIOS/CMOS, Saving, and then restarting the computer. In some instances, it may require nothing more than the user muddling around in a section and getting things set right. But other times, the action required at #2 below may be necessary:

Press F1 (or equivalent key) for Setup

Press F2 (or equivalent key) to load defaults and continue


2. Please note that you may minimize the amount of time to locate the origin of this type error message as well as other error messages by first focusing on any obvious changes that occurred just before the error message is received. If new software or hardware was installed, the installation process itself or the person performing any hardware installation may have performed some action that caused the problem either with the new hardware or accidentally dismantling some other device or the same situation may occur if outdated software or hardware was removed. If changes occurred, revert to the original configuration, be sure everything is tight, seated properly, and observe if the problem is resolved. The article [Q263466] explains how to create a Bootlog.txt file, how to examine it, and to perhaps identify the error.