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Question

Flashing Cursor on Boot

Jul 18, 2016 6:50PM PDT

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 with Intel E4600 CPU 2.4GHz and 3.5 GB RAM running Windows XP SP3.
Recently on boot up I got a flashing cursor only on the screen. I restarted the computer holding F8 and got a screen with all the boot options. I selected the C Drive where Windows is located and the computer started normally. I now have to do this every time to avoid the flashing cursor.
I tried System Restore and selected the earliest date available but think I left this action too late because this did not fix the problem.
While this has now fallen into the annoyance category is there anything I could do to avoid the F8 start up requirement?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
This is typical of a hardware failure.
Jul 18, 2016 7:08PM PDT

It could be the old drive is taking too long to spin up so you need to first save your files on your backups then look in your Dell Docs to see if there is a HDD test category.

I would also reset the BIOS to defaults and re-test. Be sure no USB devices are plugged in.

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No Success
Jul 18, 2016 10:41PM PDT

Bob - Thanks for quick response.
I have a software program (Ashampoo's HDD Control 3) which continuously monitors my drives and it did not report any faults. I also ran a SMART test and again no faults reported.
I reset the BIOS to defaults but no success with this.
By the way, I am ready for any serious hardware issues. I do a full clone backup of all my internal drives (I have two) to external drives every 2 weeks. I alternate between 2 external drives in case one of these becomes faulty. I also backup data changes daily to multiple flash drives.

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Trying again
Jul 18, 2016 11:30PM PDT

Based on the age of that machine replace the bios battery.

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Don't Think It's a Battery Problem
Jul 19, 2016 1:21AM PDT

I had thought your original post was incomplete.
I have had no error messages about the battery and my PC has no problem with keeping the correct time which I assume it wouldn't have if the battery was dying.
Nevertheless I will look at a battery replacement when I get the nerve to dismantle my computer (I am a senior citizen)

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there will be no error messages
Jul 19, 2016 2:50AM PDT

you do not get error messages when the battery is going bad. Years ago you would but I think it was only with ibm computers. You cannot always tell by the time if you are looking at the time in windows - it could be doing an onine sync. You have to look at the system clock in the bios. If it is wrong there, then most likely it is a bad battery.

The reality is, you have an old computer, the battery is old and should have been replaced by now. If it is going bad, it will do exactly what you are seeing on screen - a flashing cursor at boot. it is best to go ahead and eliminate that possibility first.

It is not that hard to open your computer and check for the battery on the motherboard. Most are about the size of a quarter and can be easily spotted. you may be able to find a youtube video for your specific computer model.

oh yes, I am considered a senior citizen too Happy

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Battery
Jul 19, 2016 5:20AM PDT

It's a fairly simple thing to change and it's cheap.

Power off the machine and unplug it.
Let it sit for a few minutes.
Locate the battery on the mobo....it's a nickel/quarter sized thing....slide it out of it's socket and take it to a local merchant and buy a new one.
Be careful you get the proper battery so read the number on the back of the battery and buy a match.

Insert the new battery in the mobo and power it up.
Enter the bios and adjust date/time...etc.

Welcome to the seniors club.

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Good idea.
Jul 19, 2016 7:39AM PDT

Cheap thing and worth the try. This will remove it from the list of possible things for cheap.

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Thanks for All The Suggestions
Jul 19, 2016 5:38PM PDT

I have a few non-computer issues to sort out this week so will leave the battery replacement until next week and get back to you with the results.

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Problem Solved But It Wasn't The Battery
Jul 26, 2016 4:09PM PDT

I replaced the battery but the problem remained so I went back to first principles i.e. boot with only a monitor connected. The computer started normally. From then on it was a process of elimination and I determined that it was a USB port at the front of the tower connected to a 4 port hub that was the problem. With all other connections as normal (printer, other USB ports, cable internet etc.) but with the front USB port unplugged the computer booted normally. What I can't understand is that the USB port has been used for some time with no problems..
I am also pleased to report that on the weekend I updated my wife's notebook running Windows 7 to Windows 10. It was a long drawn-out process and using the Windows 10 icon in the notification area resulted in hours of 0% downloading status (everyone trying to beat the July 29 deadline?). I googled various options and tried one involving an execute command but with no success. Finally, I stumbled on a Windows 10 Installation Assistant and using that was successful although nearly 2 full days were involved.

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Up top. First reply....
Jul 26, 2016 4:13PM PDT

"Be sure no USB devices are plugged in."

Why I wrote that was I've run into a common BIOS bug that stops boots cold. I'm going to slam Insyde BIOS here. They had that bug bad.

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Sorry I Overlooked the Comment
Jul 27, 2016 3:35PM PDT

I guess I picked up on the hardware failure and overlooked the next line. Thanks also for your numerous helpful suggestions over the years, not only to me but hundreds of others

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No Problem. Just for my research.
Jul 27, 2016 3:42PM PDT

If you swing by again, which BIOS maker was this?

And thank you for the kind words.

Post was last edited on July 27, 2016 3:43 PM PDT

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The BIOS maker
Jul 28, 2016 2:52PM PDT

is American Megatrends 0501 07/27/2011. Also another piece of information, the motherboard is not the original Dell. It failed a couple of years ago and is now an ASUSTeK P5G41T-MLX3 Rev X.0x