CPU usage very high and errattic

[Tootech]

Hi Jasand, didn't expect to see you for a while....

 

Maybe the floppy issue is because the Floppy Drive is still part of the boot order - ie first device. Also, some systems have something called Floppy Seek in the BIOS - switch it off.

 

Make sure you have boot order set to CD > HDD or HDD > CD and everything else disabled.

 

I can't say for sure as I cannot see into your BIOS, but it will be something simple like that.

 

HT should be on as you say, if your CPU is an HT P4. Is it switched off in the BIOS? If so, switch it on.

 

Just one thing - I'm wondering why you have these issues now, have you reset the BIOS recently? There was no mention of them when you had the original problems.

[Jasand]

No The issues have just started. I have not altered the pc apart from what this and the previous forums told me to to. Im very trusting in you guys ;)

 

Well it was telling me to press F1 to continue after I deleted the error logs but thought the reboot would solve it.

 

I will enable HT and see if it stays that way

 

Also my sigmatel audio will not stay enabled as default. When I restart i have to re enable sigmatel audio from USBaudio codec.

 

I can live with this but again no idea what is happening

[Tootech]

Ok, I've had a chat to the other mods about this one Jasand.

 

The first thing to do is power off your unit at the mains, then take out the BIOS battery for a couple of minutes. There is a reset jumper also on most systems , on the board, near the battery holder. If you have one on your board, reset the BIOS with that too, just to make sure.

 

Battery back in, power on and see where you are at.

 

There may be a BIOS update - post your service tag and your BIOS version (get that on startup screen), and I'll have a look.

 

We think that if that doesn't solve your BIOS issue you probably have some kind of hardware fault. We don't think it is your hard drive as that wouldn't cause BIOS changes/faults. It could be your board at fault.

 

Once we are that far down the line, the only way to check it is to take it to a good repair shop - they will have the tools and software to check it further.

[Jasand]

I have a warranty with Dell but only for hardware. If a fault is not found with hardware then I get a big bill :mad:

 

Service tag CJZCJ2J

BIOS A04

 

I have checked the Dell site and re downloaded BIOS A04 and flashed but still it asks for F1

 

The problem is I have a wireless keyboard and mouse and while in the boot menu my keyboard or mouse wont work. I have brought home from work a wired keyboard just to press F1 then i can use my wireless one to log in :confused: it works fine after I press F1 with the wireless one.

 

I have followed steps above but no joy.

 

I am very sorry for driving you nuts with all this

[Tootech]

Ok, so you can't sort the F1 problem.

 

So, we have the F1 fault, an audio fault, and an odd HT setting.

 

Two of those are hardware issues, we can't say either way about the audio. There doesn't seem to be any info out there specific to your model of Dell either.

 

You know that you have run a full factory restore, so Windows will be ok. Any machine that is still misbehaving has to have some kind of hardware problem or setting that is not correct.

 

Jasand, the best way to take this forward is to ring Dell Tech Support. Tell them you have run a full Windows restore, and tell them what issues you have now.

 

They will know what faults are common on your model and what fixes to do if they can. They will also advise you on how to use any built in diagnostics to check your system. Once they have been through all of that they will be in a position to look at your warranty.

[Jasand]

Thank you

 

I think the HT setting is ok now. I enabled it and it seems to have saved.

 

Sigmatel audio seems to be ok it has worked fine today.

 

The F1 is the issue so ill contact Dell.

 

Well ill leave you to get on and help other users. Thank you for your full time and effort on this.