What can I try to resolve the problem of a bios error on my desktop computer?
Posted on December 13, 2009, 3:25 am | 3 responses
When I start my Dell XPS 410, I get an error message that says:
“PnP and PCI compliant bios not present”
There’s a line before that that says something like “HCI bios not present,” but I can’t recall the exact wording.
To get my computer to start I need to reboot several times, but obviously something is seriously wrong.
I am using Vista, and I have not altered the setup or added any new software in at least a few weeks. (I also have good virus protection, etc.)
Any thoughts on what’s wrong with my computer and how I can get it to start reliably?
Thanks.
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Remove the battery and waiting a few minutes to reset the bios to factory settings.
Your motherboard battery needs replacing. Replace the battery. You may need to reset the defaults in BIOS after you swap out the battery.
You could flash the BIOS.
What this means is that you will wipe the BIOS and flash it with either the same one or a more up to date one.
The BIOS is held on a memory chip inside the computer, so the process means wiping that chip and then rewriting the replacement BIOS.
It’s not as harsh or difficult as it sounds.
Firstly, go to the Dell drivers and downloads web site.
http://support.euro.dell.com/support (Click drivers and downloads)
Select your make and model.
When the page loads, expand the BIOS item.
Download the EXE to your computer.
Run the EXE file from Windows and follow the on-screen instructions.
This particular EXE appears to be able to run from Windows, sometimes you have to run them off disks or CD’s and this one seems pretty straightforward.
The latest BIOS version for that model of computer is 2.5.3 and was released on 7/12/2007.
If that fails to work, then look up the error on the Dell support web site for further information.
# Update #
Another answerer also rightly suggested that the BIOS battery might be flat and that is also a possibility. It is a battery that sits on the motherboard and powers your BIOS and the system clock when the power is off.
# Update #
This forum mentions replacing the power supply?
http://forums.slickdeals.net/archive/index.php/t-761974.html