Dell boot stops at Dell Splash Screen

[geekhelp4u]

Anyone seen this issue before?

When booting up a Dell Desktop, it stops and freezes at the Dell Logo splash screen during post. Unplugging the machine and plugging it back in allows it to boot normal. Reboot and same issue... have to unplug and then plug it back in.

Maybe a BIOS or Chipset setting when it is passing off control?

Digging into the BIOS settings, it looks like it is getting reported as a keyboard error. Another keyboard has the same results.

Removing USB devices and video/modem from motherboard does not resolve the issue.

[alluseridsrejected]

What kind of keyboards are you trying? The other day I had an HP desktop that would hang like that with a USB keyboard plugged in. I tried a PS2 keyboard and it worked. Never figured out why, I could not find any bios setting that would let the usb keyboard boot and just gave up after I got it working with the PS2 one.

[Rob_NNCC]

have you done any troubleshooting steps like clearing the cmos and replacing the CR2032 cmos battery?

I had a compaq laptop come across my bench that would not clear the BIOS splash screen until I took it apart and replaced the battery.

[geekhelp4u]

Originally Posted by alluseridsrejected

What kind of keyboards are you trying? The other day I had an HP desktop that would hang like that with a USB keyboard plugged in. I tried a PS2 keyboard and it worked. Never figured out why, I could not find any bios setting that would let the usb keyboard boot and just gave up after I got it working with the PS2 one.

There are no PS2 ports, and after the power off an back on, it boots fine. BIOS is set to allow USB during boot.

[geekhelp4u]

Originally Posted by Rob_NNCC

have you done any troubleshooting steps like clearing the cmos and replacing the CR2032 cmos battery?

I had a compaq laptop come across my bench that would not clear the BIOS splash screen until I took it apart and replaced the battery.

Yes. Have cleared the CMOS via jumper as well as removing and replacing the battery. Also reset the BIOS to factory settings.

[Knightsman]

You probably have but have you tested the memory and Hard drive?

[geekhelp4u]

It has to be keyboard related. Gonna try and dig up a 3rd keyboard to test with. It works without issue if the keyboard is not present and BIOS is still indicating keyboard failure.

[TDowis]

not that this is going to be any help, but I have an emachine in my shop the same way, was going to refurb it to sell but cant cause of the same issue. only way i can get it to boot normally is to leave the bios battery out, and just unplug and replug it in. so i use it as a shop machine. (of course i have to reset the date every time i do)

[bsil]

Hi Chris,

Did you happen to try a BIOS update aside from the factory reset? Also, sometimes the BIOS has a legacy USB setting which I usually shut off unless I know something in the system is relying on it. Sometimes that is enabled, and causes funky things to happen with USB. I'm sure you tried this, but just thinking of what I might try off the top of my head.

I'll assume you tried an alternate USB port.

I have seen some strange things with USB and power. Have you tried a powered USB hub, and plugging the keyboard into the hub? I had a similar issue on my wife's PC (although she was running a g15 gaming keyboard), and after running it through the powered hub, the issue was gone.

The last thing I would look at is the wiring/soldering to the USB ports on the mobo. If it is wired (are all the connections well attached to the pins?), if it is a solder, is it broken or shorting somehow?

Pretty much all I can think of trying...hope you solve it.

[geekhelp4u]

Originally Posted by bsil

Hi Chris,

Did you happen to try a BIOS update aside from the factory reset?

Pretty much all I can think of trying...hope you solve it.

Thanks for the suggestion. It was already running the latest BIOS. Out of curiosity, I flashed it back a version and so far it seems to be working. I'll let you know if it continues to work.