Fw: Cannot boot computer - solved

[Josef Lowder]

.
Problem solved ... see solution recapped at the bottom.

>> joe at actionline.com wrote: 
>> I have a Dell GX260 with Intel P-4 2-Gig processor, 512mb ram, 
>> 40-gig HD, and XP installed.  After I booted from a Linux 
>> live CD and started to install, I defragged and then used 
>> Knoppix QTParted to resize the HD to 22-gig for XP and the 
>> remainder (about 16-gig) to be used to install Linux. 
>> However, when I tried to restart the computer to 
>> begin the installation, I have only a blank screen and cannot 
>> even get to the bios.   I can't boot from HD, CD, or floppy. 

On Mon, 7 May 2007 09:49, Dazed_75 wrote 
> If the screen truly remains totally blank, it is virtually 
> always either power or a video problem.  I work with those 
> models a lot and have seen this issue a few times before and 
> 99% of the time it is a simple thing.  
> 
> Make sure the video cable is not loose or plugged into the wrong 
> vga connector (like if you moved the machine).  Many GX260's (like 
> the one to my left) have an independent video card and it is very 
> easy to plug into the main board vga by mistake.  Or like the one 
> to my left, to plug into the wrong plug of the dual head video card. 
> 
> Check that the power indicator in the middle of the power switch 
> button remains green after power up.  If not you might have a bad 
> PSU or (much les likely) switch or mainboard.  If it does remain 
> green, look at the 4 diagnostic lights above the USB ports on the 
> back of the machine.  If they are not all green, go to 
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx260/en/ug/solvprob.htm 
> for an interpretation. 

After much searching on the Internet, I learned that this is 
a known problem with this Dell computer and the solution is to 
unplug the computer (and if that doesn't work, to also remove 
and reinstall the battery and/or the memory chips), then the Dell 
will see the bios again.  This may need to be done more than once.

After several attempts, that finally worked.