Dell Vostro 3559 won't boot to Windows 10 or USB PE

Hi Guys,

Here is a weird one that I cannot figure out.

Wife's laptop, Dell Vostro 3559, Windows 10 Pro, 8GB RAM.
Stuck in boot errors one of two:
1-Loading windows from hard drive get the error - Memory Management.
2-Trying to boot from USB (Windows or rescue) it give the following - Page Fault Error in non-paged area.
Can boot in Hiren's or similar for DOS (not Windows PE) and it is fine, but even trying to load mini XP or Windows PE causes the page fault error.

Memory test OK.

She cannot remember what she did the last time it was OK!

I took the SSD out, and re-imaged it from a couple of recent back ups, but it still gives same error.

Any ideas gratefully received.

The BIOS is up to date, and I thought of downgrading it to previous BIOS but it will not let me, says BIOS downgrade not allowed!

Cannot run the forum exe file for system information as cannot get into Windows.

How did you run the memory test? Which one?

Used the internal Dell memory checker. Also took out each 4GB stick and booted with only one stick and each time (with either stick) got the same messages!

I should say that I tried booting to USB with no HDD, and can boot but when trying to load Win PE or Windows setup/repair USB, get the same error 2 as above.

If you can boot into the BIOS and check all the settings then the BIOS is probably OK. Have you reset the BIOS just to double check? Otherwise it would seem to be a motherboard problem.

I can get into BIOS ok.

My wife now remembers that she got a message about installing Dell BIOS update.

I think the BIOS update broke it and it will not let me reinstall the previos BIOS.

In that case it could just be a case of getting all the BIOS settings to their optimum. One of the Fn keys is usually set to load optimised defaults, you could start there and then try adjusting settings for memory, a common one is whether XMP has been set or not. Use the manual to go through the BIOS settings and note any that could impact system stability or memory performance.

Thanks for all your advice.

Been through the BIOS over and over, reset,tried everything.

It seems like it is the updated BIOS causing the problem, but it will not let me downgrade to the previous (working) BIOS!

I suggest you contact DELL who might have a way of reverting back to the previous BIOS.

I noticed there is a previous version 1.2.8 available on their website dated 24 Jan 2018. I assume you are currently on ver 1.3.1 dated 6 Feb 2018 but if not that is the latest one to try.

Yes, was on 1.2.8 and it upgraded to 1.3.1.

I cannot find a way to force it to downgrade!