Need geek help

[matt819]

My Dell PC is 3 1/2 years old - Windows 10, 64 bit.

My internet connect is wireless, and my computer does not recognize the 5g signal, so I'm connected wirelessly via 2g. Not really a problem, since speeds are 50x5. However. . . I'm paying for 100x10 thanks to an upgrade earlier this year that I only learned about yesterday. (I thought the small price increase was just that - a price increase. But it was for the higher base speed.)

Here's the problem. When I plugged in the ethernet cable from the router - so that I could get the 100x10 speed - all hell broke loose. Basically, the computer froze with vertical green, blue, red lines on the monitor. Reboot was unsuccessful, and Windows 10 doesn't seem to recognize F8 during the reboot for safe mode. Eventually, I decided to remove the ethernet cable. It took a few tries, but it booted up. I then did some cleanup - updating drivers, disabling apps at startup, and the like.

It's working fine now, though I'm terrified that I'll run into problems at the next reboot, but that's for another time.

I searched and found that others have had the ethernet cable/no reboot issue. From 2010 and 2015. In both cases the solution involved BIOS changes, and I'm hesitant to do that. And, unable to get into the BIOS in windows 10, I'm not sure this would be easy in any case.

So. . . any similar problems out there? Solutions?

And, yes, a new computer is likely within the next six months, so this will eventually be a non-issue. But it's an issue now. So, help!

[canetoad]

1. Interesting problem

Cannot answer why the ethernet cable being plugged in would cause a crash but I've googled it and it's happened to others. Do you by any chance have any Norton products on your machine?
https://www.dell.com/community/Networking-Internet-Bluetooth/Plug-In-Ethernet-Causes-Computer-Crash/td-p/4622932

For safe mode, it seems the procedure has changed with Win 10. Here are some instructions:
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

As to the freeze and being unable to reboot - I have the very rare freeze where nothing will work including reset button. Don't be afraid to shut the power off at the back of computer or socket and let it sit for a few minutes. Be prepared for 'Do you wish to start Windows normally...' when you power up again.

[matt819]

3. Thanks

That second link is if you’re already booted up.

No Norton products, but I’ll check the dell links for answers.

[csziggy]

2. You should be able to get into the BIOS before Windows starts

The splash screen when the computer first starts generally tells you how to do it. Often you have to push an F key such as F8 or F10.

That said, flashing the BIOS is pretty drastic!

[matt819]

4. F8

I tried f8 and shift f8. No go on windows 10.

Plus I’m really not confident messing with the bios.

Time for new computer, I think.

[csziggy]

5. Yeah - I flashed a BIOS once

And it was still new computer time.

Back up your data if you can. If you can't get a exterior drive enclosure - you can get the drive(s) out of the old computer, plug them, and copy the data off onto the new computer. I managed to get a SATA one at a yard sale and when I replaced my old hard drive, I could easily move the data over though it took overnight. Check to see what kind of connector - IDE are the old ones, SATA the newer ones. If you can't find one locally, go to NewEgg.com.