XPS M1530 not booting up properly 6 of 10 times

Hi everyone,

I am not quite computer illiterate, but close. Have mercy please. I just got my first notebook, (first NEW computer) I use it very lightly, movies, internet, some small games (MYST, URU) My only problem with it is that it only boots up properly every 3 to 4 times out of every 10. It just sits at the black screen with the Microsoft loading bar forever until I am forced to give up and power off. When I try again, it wont boot up unless I pick the startup repair mode. Then I sit for 10 minutes while it does its thing and finally I get my desktop. Clearly I need to do something, or stop doing something. Any suggestions? I ordered it from DELL and have all the Install disks available.

XPS M1530
Midnight Blue
-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
-- 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
--Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200) & 2.0 Mb Camera
-- 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 86000M GT
-- Hard Drives --
-- Size: 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
-- Combo or DVD+RW Drive --
-- Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
-- Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
-- Wireless Networking Cards --
-- Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
-- [430-2680]
-- Trend Micro Internet Security 36-months
-- Primary Battery --
-- 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
-- Warranty & Service --
-- 3Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
-- Accident and Theft Protection --
-- Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr.
-- Dial-Up Internet Access --
-- Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
-- Bluetooth and Wireless USB --
-- Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

try reinstalling the os. start with the mediadirect cd....

 

The easiest solution would be, as stated, to reinstall everything. That would essentially "reset" everything. Technically, an alternate solution that would be far more painful would be to boot in safe mode and run some diagnostics. It may seem intimidating to have to do a clean install, but it is actually quite easy (although it may take about an hour or two of your time).

Also: Myst? WTF? (lol, j/k, I never played that when it came out. However, being a total cheapo, I play games years after they are released and in the bargain bin.)

 

Call Dell and have them walk you through some hardware diagnostics. No point in reinstalling if you have a hardware problem.

 

Most likely if it were a hardware problem it wouldn't ever boot up properly. It sounds like it's hanging on something that's loading on boot. That's my opinion.

 

Some hardware problems are intermittent.

 

I suppose, even though I can't think of a good example, but I prefer to play the odds.

 

Thanks for the posts. I will do the reinstall tomorrow. Very relieved that it doesn't seem like a deadly problem. It was a purchase I have been waiting and chewing over for about a year now.

 

Oh yeah, told you I was a goob. This is my first computer that would actually handle MYST! LOL!

 

Up until I got my M1530 this year I was using a desktop that I bought in 2000 that had a 512 Mb P4 processor. The DVD drive died, but I could have probably replaced it and just kept on using the desktop, but I felt like upgrading. So I know where you're coming from.

 

Hi Jazzynic,
If you want to run some diagnostics before your restore, you can enter the f12 menu on boot and choose diagnostic. This will allow you to test all the internal components of the computer. This same diagnostic is present on your resource cd if you boot from it.

Hope this helps,
Gabe

 

By the way, that desktop was a Gateway. And, impressively, they still had my computer specs and drivers saved via serial number on their website (I was checking my DVD brand to check if it was a corrupted driver).

Total non sequiter, just a plug to say that I never had a problem with Gateway. I would have gotten a Gateway laptop but they're inferior to the Dell XPS line.

 

@Jazzynic - My sister owns a E1420 and has some of the problems that you describe. Personally, I think it is a hardware error. I have completely re-installed the OS on her computer and wiped it clean. However, these errors are still showing up upon boot up. She actually solved it by a mix of pulling out the battery / power adapter before she starts it up and sometimes that works.

I think it is a hardware error, not a software error.

 

No offense, but what does that have to do with anything? Even with a totally defective power adapter, the worst that would happen (presumably) is total failure at charging. It wouldn't be like the computer would charge AND not turn on INTERMITTENTLY. Your observations may be correct ...and at the same time completely unrelated. You haven't demonstrated causality.

 

wow. takes skill.
Then again, i've can't play anything which needs anything vaguely good graphically until I get my M1530. I see where ure coming from. Just not with MYST. A gaming experience I've missed out on, it seems.

 

kamehame,

I had to laugh at your Gateway plug. The only other good computer I've owned was a Gateway 500MC I got off Tigerdirect. LOVED it! I had to end up selling it to a friend though. He is still using it/loving it today.

 

Thanks GabeZ, I ended up just doing a restore to factory. I will take your advice on the diagnostics. Thanks everyone for your time.