Dell OptiPlex GX270 PC Desktop Logo
Anonymous Posted on Mar 02, 2009

Pc won't boot

Hi guys, i got a problem with my pc, It happen a few days ago. when i switch it on, it won't boot. Nothing happen, just a lot of short beep sound and when the beep sound clear, this words appeared :
Phoenix ROM BIOS Plus Version 1.10 A03
Copyright 1985-1988 Phoenix Technologies Ltd
Copyright 1990-2003 Dell Computer Corporation
All Rights Reserved

Dell System Optiplex GX 270 Series
BIOS Version A03

Primary drive 0 not found. Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.

When i look at the back of the cpu, the A light = green, B light = green, C light = green BUT the D light = orange. Does anybody knows what is happening? I did tried the F8 but it diddn't work 'cause it come out the same :
Primary drive 0 not found
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.
I also tried the F1 and F2 keys but it still won't work. The F2 key took me to setup which i don't want. I also tried the F12 but srtill not working. It come out like this :
Boot Menu Device
1.Normal
2.Diskette Drive
3.IDE CD-ROM Device
4.System Setup
5.IDE Drive Diagnostics
6.Boot to Utility Partition
I also tried all of it and the result still the same :
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility.

Please help me. I don't want to reformat my pc 'cause i'll lost the data inside. I really need those data. Eventhough i've save some of it but still there're other data that i haven't save which i really need.
By the way, i'm using a dell desktop. Intel Pentium 4 Processor : 2.66 GHz, 768 mb ram ( 3 pieces of 256 ddr pc 400 ram ), 30g harddisk with 2 partitions.
Can anybody help me, please...

  • 2 more comments 
  • Anonymous Mar 02, 2009

    Well, i already check all the cables and the connections. I also checked the ram. But i'll try to do what say and i'll let you know later..

  • Anonymous Mar 03, 2009

    Hi dla810, i did what you told but it still won't work. I've check everything from cd rom, ram, bios battery, ide cable, power supply, loose cables but still not working. By the way on the motherboard, one of the capacitor got something on it. It looks like some dried rust on top of it ( brownish colour ). Is that mean the capacitor is leaking?
    If the capacitor is leaking, why doesn't the computer give some warning/alert? I mean we can go to the moon, dive in the deepest ocean, go to mars, create nuclear weapon etc.. ( you know what i mean ) after all it's a computer right?! It should make our life easier.
    How do i solve my problem? Do i have to change the motherboard? Can i do something without changing the motherboard? If can, how? I bought the pc ( 2nd hand ) from a guy on april last year ( 2008 ) and i don't think it still under warranty.

  • Anonymous Mar 04, 2009

    Well, i've already change the jumper setting from master to cable select and vice versa but still not working. Is changing the motherboard the only solution here?

  • Anonymous Mar 11, 2009

    Thanks guys for all tje help. Well, now i need to change the motherboard or maybe i should just buy a new pc :-)

×

3 Answers

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

  • Contributor 28 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 03, 2009
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Corporal:

An expert that has over 10 points.

Mayor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 2 times.

Joined: Mar 03, 2009
Answers
28
Questions
0
Helped
5784
Points
49

You can check on other HDD if your problem solved means your HDD damage if your problem not solved check your HDD jumper setting then your problem not solved change or repair your motherboard and cpu

  • Anonymous Mar 08, 2009

    I think your HDD is damaged by any reason I give you steps for HDD damaged or not

    1 - swicth on your pc

    2 - Put on your hand on your HDD

    3 - If HDD giving slide humming its means your HDD is work but check for it's detect or not you can try it on another pc if it's not detect means your HDD is damaged

    4 - If HDD not giving slide humming its means your HDD is not work it's damaged

    If your all things ok means motherboard damaged

    If your HDD damaged you don't worry I know that you want save your data. You can repair your HDD or take your data back up by any nearly data solution company or shop or person. He can save your data

  • Anonymous Mar 08, 2009

    5 - it's detect means your Motherboard is damaged replace it

×

Anonymous

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

  • Expert 158 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 02, 2009
Anonymous
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Governor:

An expert whose answer got voted for 20 times.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Answers
158
Questions
0
Helped
55151
Points
373

In your system actually the hard disk is not found because of some loose connection; so you just try to remove your hard disk and then start your pc and shutdown it after 1 minute. and then just attach your hard disk properly.

Check all the cable.

Ad

computerscot

Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Novelist:

An expert who has written 50 answers of more than 400 characters.

  • Expert 166 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 09, 2009
computerscot
Expert
Level 2:

An expert who has achieved level 2 by getting 100 points

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Novelist:

An expert who has written 50 answers of more than 400 characters.

Joined: Mar 09, 2009
Answers
166
Questions
0
Helped
81334
Points
462

Any leaking brown stuff means blown capacitors- DELL (along with other manufacturers) were sold some "fake" capacitors and they didn't have all the correct ingredients to perform like they should. After about 2-3 years of use they started to break. DELL was replacing them mobos for awhile, even after the warranty ran out, but that deal is probably over. I know because I was able to replace several of them - out of warranty.
As far as your hard drive goes, Do you have an IBM Deskstar, also a.k.a as DeathStar? If it says it can't find the hard drive and you did not change the cables or mess with the jumpers and you have checked that the cables did not come loose from the motherboard and drive, then you most likely have a dead drive. You can always try to recover from the recovery console using CHKDSK. I have recovered a few drives this way. If you do recover then get your files off immediately.

  • computerscot Mar 12, 2009

    Just so you know your DELL power code indicates "Other failure has occurred" and their suggested remedy is to reseat all cables and if that fails contact them. Not very helpful I know!

    You said that you need a new motherboard, did you find any swollen/leaking capacitors? The GX270 was the model most affected by the bad capacitors (not DELL's fault).

    Did you try the F12 then select option 5? If you did, then what message did it return? Also you have to be careful where you put the drive in the ribbon cable, sometimes if you have the drive's jumper set for cable select (CS) and you put the drive in the #2 or slave position it will not recognize it. The same if you jumper it as Maste(MS) and put it in the slave position on the cable.

×

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

887 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Dell Computers & Internet Experts

Grand Canyon Tech
Grand Canyon Tech

Level 3 Expert

3869 Answers

SmartAviator
SmartAviator

Level 3 Expert

1137 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19190 Answers

Are you a Dell Computer and Internet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...