Laptop Won't Function

ImLost said:

All this stuff jusy way over my head.
MEANDMYCOMPUTER - now it goes right to desktop, dont have password required. Cursor jumps/flashes, and click lower left to get that power button, it only flahes for an instant........what if I can move cursor to "restart" quick enough to get it to restart.....can I try that, then hit the f12 soon as it goes black?

"dont have password required" Is that normal in that you don't use a password to log-in?

"what if I can move cursor to "restart" quick enough to get it to restart.....can I try that, then hit the f12 soon as it goes black?"
--- Yes as long as you can click Restart fast enough. Please print the instructions to access the Dell Diagnostics so you'll be able to relate to what's going on. I understand a lot of things are over your head and I get that.
--- Write down information that pertinent to an issue with exact words and description if you can.
--- You could also take pictures with a camera and create screenshots that need to be reviewed so we can help you on what they mean.

Now since it appears you can get into the computer "sometimes" it might be possible to get into the Advanced Startup Options but you can't do more than one process at a time and at this point I still recommend the Pre-Boot Diagnostics procedure. If the mouse or whatever you are using does work let us know; otherwise use the TAB key process. Take your time to catch what you see.

I know I said your computer is brand new: I should have explained what I meant in a longer sentence and that is on me: It might not be brand new: however, being a little over a year old should still qualify for the same principle. The possibility of recovering your laptop still applies: I believe that unless proven otherwise.

Done it bunch of times now, able to click on restart b4 itdisappeared, then my finger is ready, soon as it goes black I hit the f12, but the dell name just comes up and ends up going to dsktp .

Things have gotten even worse, more windows popping up, jumping around, getting bigger and smaller, almost nonstop, really "posessed".

****MEANDMYCOMPUTER -- gonna keep trying fewmore times, I (probably) cant damage it much more than the useless state it's in now, so is this right:

it's on desktop.....gonna go to lower left to get "restart" to flash.......try to click on restart b4 it disappears.....have my finger ready above the f12 key......press and hold it the instant the screen goes black. Then I hope for a screen to come up that has a box "diagnostics" to click on (and/or hit enter?).....then try to follow any instructions and/or wait then see what happens?

Been doing that, just goes to desktop, guess that's that for as much as I can understand.

Instead of trying to click on Restart, use the TAB key process. That avoids trying to keep up with the clicking procedure. When you see the Restarting screen, be instantly ready to press f12 by hovering your finger on the f12 key and then holding it down.
I just did mine again and because I'm more use to when the screen goes black, I had already pressed and held the f12 key, I might have even beat the black screen from being obvious by a split second.
--- There is one more way to accomplish that which I will look up in my notes in case it's a good idea to consider it.

Yikes, a screen came up, let me pick "diagnostics" after I had did a regular shutdown/turn on with the keyboard on/off button and I hit the f12 for the heck of it....but then I fouled up, it said "the mouse is not active during testing, press esc to stop testing"....nothing was happening, so I did press esc....but nothing still happened.
Did I stop the fixing process? Should I try again? Is that the way it is supposed to work, by just waiting without seeing anything happening. Holy cow

*****EDIT**** It says epsa pre-boot system assessment (4304.09)
Also says system bios 1.2.1

Thank you for this
*****EDIT**** It says epsa pre-boot system assessment (4304.09)
Also says system bios 1.2.1

OK you could be on your way. Take a break.
One of the problems of this process is that time is of the essence: be ready instantly.
Try again later on or tomorrow: please try the TAB key process.
Do not press ESC as that will get you out of the diagnostic process to continue.

On the system BIOS, that is also good information but I can't tell yet if it's the latest with Fred Tittle's recommendation but since your computer isn't very cooperative at this time, it's difficult to follow through on that. I do know that once you can get Dell's Support Assistant running it will tell you and it will provide a link to update the BIOS if applicable.

Please don't give up yet. I'll find the alternate method to get into the pre-boot process in case it becomes necessary to try it. But I suspect you are on your way with the method I hope you have printed.

So....are you saying to try to get to that "diagnostics" box again, do Not click esc, then just wait like I asked above? (doesit do it's thing in the bacground not showing anything?)
The tab process?? Think I only hit it once, then the arrow on keybd to get to "diagnostics"
So, again.......if I can get there again, I go to diagnostics box, then wait/watch/hope?

****EDIT*****.........and it said epsa: Build 4304.09 UEFI ROM