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Question

Dell Dimension E310 BIOS and Video Card

by Aug 18, 2012 11:05PM PDT

I am having trouble with my Dell Dimension E310 and a video card, but I think I know the solution. I think I need to enter the BIOS and change the video settings from onboard to whatever the other option is.

Here's my problem: I have no display whatsoever until Windows XP loads, so I can't see the menus. Furthermore, I read somewhere I might need to reset the NVRAM by removing the battery on the motherboard. After I did that, I now get some sort of BIOS failure. I get diagnostic lights 1, 2, and 3, which means "other failure," and I get two beeps, which doesn't seem to be a code. If I time my pressing of F2 to enter BIOS setup correctly, I don't get the beeps.

Could someone help me in one of two ways: either (1) tell me what keys I need to press in order to change the video card setting and exit BIOS (i.e. Down 7, Enter, Right 1, etc.) or (2) can you help me know what else I should do if I've got a bigger problem?

Thanks.

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Answer
When this happens to me
by Forum moderator Aug 18, 2012 11:54PM PDT

I find I have to connect the display to the onboard video connection to see the BIOS screens. Pulling the battery sets the BIOS to some defaults so we get to set it up again. Your story reminds me of how I have to connect to the other video connection to get into the BIOS and adjust as I want then save those settings.

I don't see a link to a manual about the BIOS so I can't be specific. Some BIOS will list a primary display. That's one thing I might change.
Bob

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Thanks for the tip, but I am plugged in to the onboard video
by chuckalhashib Aug 19, 2012 10:11AM PDT

Before I pulled the battery, when I would turn on my computer, the display would not turn on until Windows loaded. That was also while being plugged in to the onboard video.

Now, I guess my computer is stopping at the BIOS, but I can't see anything. It just beeps at me, unless I press F2 when the keyboard lights come on.

Anyone have a Dell E310 who would be willing to run their setup long enough to write down the steps?

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