Question Three Dell Slim ECS1250 computers won't boot ?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
J

JudMc

Reputable
Sep 8, 2020
24
2
4,525
I'm having problems with three Dell Slim ECS1250 computers that I bought new from eBay. They have a hard time booting. I bought four of them. One will boot to Windows if I give it enough time, but the other three keep coming up with a white error screen that says:

"Time of day not set - please run SETUP program" (sometimes)
and
"Invalid Configuration information - please run SETUP program"

"Continue BIOS-SETUP Diagnostics" options

If I select BIOS-setup, after about 8 minutes it will come up with the BIOS screen, and I select restore to factor defaults.

Usually they will keep repeating this process.

If I get one to boot up, if I restart or shut it down, it will restart. If I unplug it, it will not restart.

I've talked to Dell for hours and sent them back. I got one of them back and it would not boot, so I've sent it back.

I got another one back today - they repaired the logic board and reinstalled Windows. It would not boot at first, but after more than an hour, it got to that white screen, I pressed "continue" and a long while later it booted. It would restart. If I shut down, it would restart. But after I unplugged it, it would not restart.

Dell said that they didn't find any problem with one or two of them.

They try to boot over and over, and sometimes they will boot after a long time. The white light comes up, it turns to amber and back to white, and usually nothing happens, until it tries to reboot, and the process repeats.

I've talked to Dell for hours, done hard resets, changed the BIOS batteries, and check to see if everything seems to be seated correctly. When I've been able to run a diagnostic, I get 2000-0000.

What can I do?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Dell slim ECS 1250
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/dell-slim-desktop/spd/dell-ecs1250-slim-desktop

they repaired the logic board and reinstalled Windows.
That would mean the motherboard was either replaced or the BIOS chip was reflashed or replaced. You could try and reflash the BIOS on the motherboard with a CH341A BIOS programming toolkit but outside of that I think you've lost your money as I don't see Dell returning your money after buying off a third party.

If it didn't cost you an arm and a leg, then chalk it up toa loss project. If it didn't then maybe you can give it to your local salvaging shop so they can strip essentials off of it.

Moved thread from Systems section to Prebuilt & Enterprise section.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Try pulling the PSU from the good one and put it into the other 3 and see.

I have to say some vendors just want to scam you,

My sister bought a NEW Dell last year from Amazon, found it actually shipped by a 3rd party and its warranty actually already expired by checking its service tag when I tried to setup the PC for her, fortunately she can return it without problem being a Prime member.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
I don't believe I can change the power supply.

HOWEVER, today I moved the two computers I have to a different part of the house, used a different mouse, different keyboard, different power cable, different Ethernet cable, and a different monitor (DVI instead of HDMI). I didn't think any of this should make any difference, except possibly the monitor interface. But the DO BOOT with these changes!! I'm going to try some tests to see what made a difference.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I had an old computer connected to the HDMI input on a TV and it displayed a black screen for around 30 seconds, until Windows started to boot up. I couldn't get into the BIOS because the screen was blank. Switching to a different monitor (not HDMI) allowed normal BIOS entry.

JudMc said:
Not directly from Dell, but other eBay sellers. All were listed as "new" but "no returns".
Click to expand...
I've bought new and second hand parts on eBay from sellers quoting no returns, but if the goods are described as "working" and not "spares or repairs" you can contact eBay and report the items as falsely advertised.

It's crucial the seller doesn't mention "spares or repairs", but if they claim the item is "working", albeit with a few scuffs or wear marks, you have the right to expect a working item.

On the rare occasions when I've bought a mis-sold item on eBay, I've got my money back a few hours after making a claim. eBay normally take the side of the buyer, not the seller.

If the seller has a considerable number of complaints (negative feedback) eBay are more likely to trust your word, not theirs.

I sometimes buy from business sellers with negative feedback, but a point is reached where I use common sense and move on to other sellers. Caveat emptor.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cruisetung said:
Most likely USB peripherals.
Click to expand...
Yes!
I tracked down what is causing the problem. I had them on KVM switches to switch the mouse, keyboard, and monitor. I've used these on a large number of different computers.

These computers have a problem with the switches. If one of them is unplugged from A/C, it usually won't boot if it is plugged into the KVM switch.However, if you plug a regular mouse and keyboard in, it boots just like it should. (The monitor can be on the switch.)

Then once it boots, you can switch to the mouse and keyboard on the switch. Then it will continue to operate that way - UNLESS you unplug the power supply. Then you have to plug in a regular mouse and keyboard to get it to boot.

So far, they are working fine on the switch - as long as the power isn't unplugged! (Shutting doen and restarting seems to be OK.)

I've used a lot of computers and several KVM switches and this is the first time I've had this problem.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom