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Question

Laptop computer keep restarting and never boots up

Aug 23, 2018 7:51PM PDT

Hello everyone. I have a laptop computer Dell vostro 14, that I reformated and installed new windows with windows 8.1, updated all drivers, everything worked well for a few days. But one morning, when i opened the laptop, it turned on by itself, and kept restarting again and again. I thought may be battery is dead, but that was ok. It keeps restarting, doesn't boot to windows, and the F1 setup (BIOS) key and F12 boot keys doesn't work too (like when i hit F1 or F12, it goes to the setup for a while but then restarts again and again), no bluescreen error, nothing, but only restarting and restarting forever util i close the lid
I have a little knowledge about hardware, so I unscrewed the case and tried to run it without the RAM stick, but it just keep beeping and doesn't do anything when i turned it on without the RAM. Then I unplugged the HDD, it gave the same problem again. I did the same with the cell, but that didn't help too.
I read a few threads which says it might be a problem in the cell, or some kind of virus, or videocard, but I have no idea what to do now....

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: no boot
Aug 24, 2018 12:49AM PDT

Without the HDD it should give a clear warning about not being able to find a device to boot from. If it doesn't, it clearly is some hardware error.
If it's still in warranty, have it fixed for free. If not, it might be an expensive repair. How old is the laptop?

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tried some new things too
Aug 24, 2018 2:18AM PDT

Its not that old. ci5 5th gen.

Ok i will check it without the HDD once again.. Someone just now told me its due to keyboard error, or might be the power button short-circuit.

I read somewhere, and tried to run it in safemode by tapping F8, but since it doesn't bootup, so doesn't go into the mode selection (FCool.
I also tried to boot it from USB stick, but whenever i go to select the boot options in F12, it restarts so fast that couldn't let me to choose anything.

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I will try again the HDD method
Aug 24, 2018 2:20AM PDT

i will try again by running it without HDD, and share the screenshot here.. Lets see

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HDD removal method gave some message, but problem persist
Aug 24, 2018 10:52PM PDT

Still the same, but the message contains error about some PCI device. Following is the message:

"Realtek PCIe BGE Family Controller Series v2.54 (83/25/13)
PXE-E61: Media test failure. check cable

PXE-MOF: Exiting PXE ROM

Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"


and then again restarts and no-boot forever until i close the laptop Cry

I wanted to attach the screenshot and video here but its not working, may be i have to post it somewhere else and then attach that here

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Re: failure
Aug 25, 2018 1:03AM PDT

That's exactly what's expected if there is nothing to boot from. Nothing wrong at all.

So now you know that there is some error booting from the hard disk. And maybe more, since you can't enter the BIOS setup. Are you sure that's F1? And are your sure that it is F12 for the recovery and/or the diagnostics? Check those keys!

Next step would be to try to boot from a bootable CD/DVD (for example a Windows 10 install disc, a Linux disc or a memtest86 disc or the recovery discs you made for your Dell) or a bootable USB-stick (same examples, plus the Windows 10 recovery drive you made or the Windows password recovery stick you made). If Linux boots OK, you can look around at the hard disk.

If no luck with booting from a disc or stick, no luck with entering the BIOS or the Dell supplied diagnostics and recovery, most likely it means replacing the motherboard. That's very expensive, unless you can find it on eBay.

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tried
Aug 25, 2018 7:26AM PDT

Thank you Kees
F2 setup and F12 are mentioned on the Dell logo page of the bootup. I hit them, it works, but again restarts, means it doesn't even let me to select any option... I tried to boot it from USB bootable, but the same problem...

I went to several repair shops, they said somethings wrong with the mainboard, it costs alot..

I thought if the computer can display the Dell logo at the startup, and can recognize the drive, network and USB in the boot options, why is there a problem with the mainboard???

However, i have 2 doubts in my mind about it:
1) before formating and reinstalling the windows, most of the drivers were not installed or updated, including that of GPU. So after installing geniune windows, i updated all the drivers for everything from Dell support centre.. For a few days it was running very well, with peak performance and beautiful graphics..and one morning i woke up, this problem occured... So i have a doubt that may be some hardware has gone wrong that was not activated previously, like the GPU

2) when i unscrewed the lid, a tiny screw dropped from the computer, i thought it was one of the lids screw, but not... when i searched for the blank place, one of the fan screw was missing, so may be it belonged there..i tried to screw it down but it didnt work, then i thought may be from somewhere else, so i kept it... Now my doubt is that tiny little screw may have 'SCREWED' the mainboard somewhere... Sad

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Answer
I tried again the HDD method
Aug 24, 2018 11:15PM PDT
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Answer
Hope this helps
Aug 25, 2018 12:49AM PDT

Hi,

Please look closely at your USB ports on the laptop. If one is damaged and any of the four pins are touching another pin then that can cause what you are describing.

Another thing that can stop Dell Laptops & other brands entering windows is the SATA Setting in the BIOS. My experience is with Dell Latitudes that have a RAID default. Options are RAID/IDE to AHCI and if it has changed windows will not boot.

Try each of those options as it may fix you problem booting to the HD

Lastly when you get into the BIOS see if the date & time are correct. If not a CMOS Battery is needed & Windows refuses to boot when a date in the bios is earlier than the build date of the OS

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Additional from Dell Forum
Aug 25, 2018 2:52AM PDT

‎08-16-2014 11:01 AM
RE: new hdd and "PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cables"

I finally got it fixed!

The PXE-E61: media test failure, check cable error was caused by the system trying to boot to the network.

To fix it, on boot up, press F2, Setup -> Advanced, change setting of Integrated NIC to Disabled.

It may be trying to boot from the lan and with no cable to a server the message results .

I live in Australia but buy my Dell parts from USA

Link to shop removed by moderator.

Post was last edited on August 25, 2018 7:23 AM PDT

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So now it works and all is fine?
Aug 25, 2018 7:25AM PDT

And apparently F2 is the key to go into the BIOS. That explains why F1 didn't work.

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no
Aug 25, 2018 7:33AM PDT

no no, in my first message, i wrote F1 by mistake... sorry

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No chance of hitting anything in the boot menu
Aug 25, 2018 7:32AM PDT

Thanks Peter
Please also refer to my previous answer to Kees-B
This issue of rebooting forever doesn't let me hit any button in the boot menu, its matter of seconds..
I checked the USB ports, plus all other ports if the pins were short, but everything is fine...
I am just afraid about that tiny little screw that may have shorted the mainboard Sad

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Please supply the full model
Aug 25, 2018 8:23AM PDT

Hi,

Thanks for the update.

Which of these model Vostro 14 do you have?

Vostro 14 (3445), Vostro 14 (3446), Vostro 14 (345Cool Vostro 14 (3459) Vostro 14 (346Cool Vostro 14 (545Cool
Vostro 14 (546Cool Vostro 1400 Vostro 1440 Vostro 1450

That will help me look at your exact model for this problem.

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Answer
Check mainboard
Aug 25, 2018 7:34AM PDT

Is there any method to test if the mother board is shorted or not

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Answer
Fans are off
Aug 25, 2018 7:36AM PDT

when i startup the computer, the CPU fans are off Sad

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Answer
Motherboard testing in the field.
Aug 25, 2018 8:00AM PDT

The field motherboard test is to pop in a working motherboard.

BUT READING YOUR POST IT sounds like a failed HDD or wiped HDD.

Please try some USB bootable OS. There are many today such as Linux and others. This is to test if the machine is fine other than the HDD.

Read my old advice at link but use a newer version -> http://tips.oncomputers.info/archives2004/0401/2004-Jan-11.htm

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USB bootable doesn't work too
Aug 25, 2018 8:40AM PDT

Sir i already did that.. Please lookup my previous messages and the video... may be you will get a hint and may be you can help me out with your valuable suggestions

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When USB or DVD/CD's don't boot.
Aug 25, 2018 8:47AM PDT

You have to work that issue too. It can be pilot error as many owners don't know how to create bootable media. How to do that is all over the web so I only add that we test it on a good PC to be sure it's bootable.

Then for the other common error, many don't know their PC (I don't know your PC either.) So I have to google up the Fkey to press to get a boot or bios menu to show which drive to boot from.

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bootable USB is perfect
Aug 25, 2018 9:19AM PDT

i created that USB for my windows formatting.. Its the same one that i used for reformatting this one...

Sir actually when i plug in the USB and power on the computer, the Dell screen appears and there are 2 options: F2 setup and F12 boot options. When i go to F12, it shows HDD, network and USB, but all of this process is the matter of seconds, and so the system restarts and never let me to hit any button

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I've had that happen.
Aug 25, 2018 9:35AM PDT

I learned to press and hold the F2/f12 on power up and not let go till I get the menu I want.

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Answer
Fans are off
Aug 25, 2018 9:23AM PDT

I checked the fans, when the system turns on, voltage is flowing good to both of them (i check the black and red wires through voltmeter) 5V for each, but they are still off... I unplugged the fans and checked the connections, they are not connected (i.e. the circuit inside them might be broken), or may be i don't know how to check the fans (four wires:red, black, yellow, blue)

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Hope this helps
Aug 25, 2018 3:58PM PDT

Hi,

As a repairer of Dell Laptops I have learned the fan doesn't always start when the laptop is turned on as it is cold. The fan starts to spin when the heat builds up to a set temp. It seems to be a setting in the BIOS and can change when a BIOS is upgraded.

Dell made many versions of the Vostro 14. Which of these is yours?

Vostro 14 (3445), Vostro 14 (3446), Vostro 14 (345Cool Vostro 14 (3459) Vostro 14 (346Cool Vostro 14 (545Cool
Vostro 14 (546Cool Vostro 1400 Vostro 1440 Vostro 1450

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5480
Aug 25, 2018 7:15PM PDT

vostro-14, 5480

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Hope this helps
Aug 26, 2018 6:33AM PDT

hi,

I get a lot of Dell parts from these people shipped to me in Australia.

This link shows you how to contact them and if nothing else works they have a $100.00 inspection & repair fee plus parts required

https://www.parts-people.com/pricing.htm

I haven't found anyone else with this problem so at least contacting them for an opion may help.

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thanx
Aug 26, 2018 9:48PM PDT

thanx

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Answer
help
Aug 26, 2018 9:49PM PDT

anyone else has some opinions???

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Another opinion
Aug 26, 2018 10:42PM PDT

When you power up you should be able to enter the bios and it should just sit there until you exit out.

If it does not do that you have something else wrong.

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Answer
Hope this Helps
Aug 27, 2018 4:08AM PDT

Hi,

Found the following for a Dell laptop with the same problems.

Note: If this problem started after an update (or system reinstall), please make sure the laptop is not connected to the internet in any way before you use the following instructions.

Try the following...

1. Power off the laptop.
2. Power on the laptop.
3. As soon as you see the rotating loading circle, press and hold the Power Button until the computer shuts off.
4. Repeat this process a few times until you see the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen.
5. Now you want to let the laptop boot to the "Automatic Repair" screen.
6. Click "Advanced Options" and then select "Troubleshoot".
7. Here you want to select "Refresh your PC", if you do not wish to erase data, or "Reset your PC" to erase all data and restore your system.
8. From here just follow the screen instructions until the recovery is completed.

NOTE: You will need to get into the "Advanced Options" in order to get the "Refresh Option". This choice will keep your data, but any programs installed will be lost.

Do not do a "Reset" as that will wipe all data you have on the laptop.

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Answer
Problem solved
Aug 28, 2018 8:51AM PDT

my sixth sense told me to clean the power button, as that might be shorted or whatever.. I opened everything, and reached the keyboard, it was fixed so i had to pry it out.. I cleaned the power button a bit, though it looked fine.. I glued the keyboard again, and jammed a couple of keys too, but that got alright after taping for a while.. So i installed everything again, and blowing every socket and cleaning the connections.. powered on the computer, and, couldn't believed that it was working finely... so jams, no reboots, nothing..

I don't know what the problem was, but as far as my thinking, there was no problem with the mainboard.. either some key was shorted or some connection was not intact, that was making the problem...

Afterall, I thank you all for answering and giving me valuable suggestions.. This website is awesome, got many replies, while others didn't even dare to..

I am really happy that there are still good people in this world Love