Have it got a virus? (PC problem)

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 31 October 2009

My Dell Windows Vista desktop is developing a problem. I've a feeling it is software (ie virus) rather than hardware but I'm not even sure about that. I know these problems are always difficult to sort out without masses of detail but before I brave the Dell support can anyone give me some thoughts about this fault?

When switched on the PC Bios alarm trills continously on the opening screen. If left it just jams, but if I press 'F2 for setup' it will give me the setup screen. If I exit that it will boot up fine but the Vista password page appears then occasionally jams or suddenly loses the password box. After a few attempts it works fine and once logged on the PC works perfectly.

I've run the supplied Dell diagnostics (both from windows and the Bios setup) also a full Norton anti-virus scan plus the Norton Systemworks Windows diagnostics and nothing is reported. The problem did not start after any new software or hardware installations.

Any thoughts on this? I have the Vista install disk and was wondering about doing a re-install. Everything is backed up.

Does this sound like a Vista problem? The Bios alarm made me think it was memory or similar but why then does it all run perfectly afterwards?

Bruce
Posted on: 31 October 2009 by Bananahead
It sounds to me like a hardware problem. Almost all malware loads with the operating system but you are getting a problem before it loads. Normally the bios will have some sort of diagnostics built in.
Posted on: 31 October 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
I have run the Bios diagnoistic prog and it shows nothing untoward. I guess it may not be picking it up.

Bruce
Posted on: 31 October 2009 by Phil Cork
Bruce,

I'd say definitely not a virus problem, and more likely a hardware problem. This could be as simple as keyboard (often a source of bleeps from the BIOS during startup). Try booting without it plugged in. When did it develop? Is it worth checking all the connections on the motherboard?

Phil
Posted on: 31 October 2009 by fatcat
Bruce

It could be a memory problem. Try removing and reinserting memory modules. Or try another module.

Also, check if the CPU heatsink is clean.
Posted on: 01 November 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Looks like my Dell-supplied Logitech wireless keyboard is the problem, it boots up fine when I disconnect it.

Thanks all.

Bruce
Posted on: 02 November 2009 by Rockingdoc
Might be as simple as low batteries in wireless keyboard or mouse. I've had similar problems, without the "low battery" warning showing.