Stuck at Windows start screen

[Denly]

Have a Dell OptiPlex 580 AMD PII X4 4GB ram 250gb HD dvdrw w7p 64 - no add on card.

I reinstalled windows couple weeks ago then put it aside waiting for my sister to come pick it up, today I power it up to do some update and it hang on windows starting screen.

I have tried the following
replace the set of ram
replace HD
safe mode(also hang)
onboard diagnostic all pass
Throw a Windows 7 disc and it also hang on starting screen after loading files

What else can it be? the only thing I am not sure if normal is the light on the motherboard is amber.

 

[dionasaur]

It sounds like your next troubleshooting step could just be possibly reinstalling Windows. Also, is the hard drive fairly new or used?

 

[Denly]

It sounds like your next troubleshooting step could just be possibly reinstalling Windows. Also, is the hard drive fairly new or used?

If I can reinstall windows I already did, I throw in a disc and it hang after loading files.

I tried 3 HD.

 

[Steltek]

What form factor is the Optiplex (they came in minitower, desktop, and small form factor cases)?

The system has 4 diagnostic LEDs on the front panel (location varies depending upon the form factor) as well as a color changing diagnostic LED on the power switch which you can use to diagnose the system.

Here is the Dell support page containing the service manuals for all three of the Optiplex 580 form factors. Download the one for your form factor and look in the diagnostic section. Specifically note the power button light codes, as well as the diagnostic light codes - your system should be displaying some variation of these codes which will hopefully point you towards the source of the problem.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Its hanging on the splash screen cause you have to set the Sata controls in the bios, ACHI or what not. Do Dell's have bios access? Make sure you get the network drivers on as jump drive so you can update Windows as soon as you get it working.

 

[LTC8K6]

Its hanging on the splash screen cause you have to set the Sata controls in the bios, ACHI or what not. Do Dell's have bios access? Make sure you get the network drivers on as jump drive so you can update Windows as soon as you get it working.

Sounds very likely.

SATA mode has been changed, and now it's stuck.

 

[Ketchup]

If he just started it after a fresh install, I don't know why the AHCI mode would change. Denly, did you do anything in the BIOS? Besides, Windows usually don't start at all when this is the case.

I would like to hear what the power light codes indicate.

 

[Denly]

ok, done with dinner and other family stuff.

what I also tried and no go
Unplug USB kb/ms
use my W8.1 Pro USB install key it stuck at MS logo
duster'ed all the slots
CPU heat sink felt warm so it is working
SB heat sink is hot so it is working
replace bios battery
change SATA setting

Power light stay green all the way

Diagnostic light jump around when power up, no light when it hang.

I did notice light 1 and 2 stay on when I am in bios, not sure if that matter. If it does it mean card fail and there is no card in it.

 

[Ketchup]

It has been a while since I have been on a Dell, but I think that is normal. Have you touched the SATA settings mentioned above?

So, is there a Windows installation on the drive now? If you have swapped out hard drive and memory and it still hangs, I wonder if:
1. There is a bad place in the SATA cable
2. The CPU is overheating

Replace the HDD SATA cable, dust out the HSF, and if you still have issue remove the HSF and replace the thermal material.

 

[Steltek]

Try unplugging the DVDRW drive (both power and SATA cables) and see if it will boot. I've seen systems where a bad CD/DVD drive has caused just this sort of freeze.