i got a dell inspiron 8100 laptop. when i turn power on initial progress bar goes through and then computer displays a blinking curser and nothing else and is stuck there. We tried loading a new version of the BIOS from a floppy. Does not go into set up or boot menu although when we hit f2 and f12 it says loading set up and loading boot menu but does not load anything. Hard disk is fine coz we connected it to another computer and are backing up the data.
please help It's possible you have used the wrong FLASH on that MBoard...
These people will fix it for a fee:

http://www.recoverybios.com/

patio.  no i have never flashed my bios. Reinstalling the bios from a floppy changed nothing. In fact i thin it never went to POST in the first place. Whats curious is when i hit f2 it says loading setup but fails to load it.Re-installing a BIOS is flashingbut reinstalling (flashing) changed nothing in the computer response. so what else could it be. perhaps this is RELEVANT. for a few weeks before the crash the keyboard has been behaving weird, some keys would not WORK sometimes. I would tap underneath the keyboard to get them to work. I changed the keyboard also to no avail.
helpUSB keyboard or PS2...
If USB try replacing it with a PS2 keyboard and see if it will boot properly and or allow you to enter setup.i tried both usb and ps2. neither worked. it didnt even recognize the usb and it said "key stuck" when i put in the ps2 keyboardI can only suspect 2 things...wrong/bad BIOS flash or check those keyboard connections again since that was replaced.Check to make sure your RAM is seated properly too.

Is this laptop still under warranty?  If so, you should use it.

In general, if you cannot complete POST (power-on self test), the cause(s) can be:

   *  Defective power SUPPLY
   * Loss of AC power or PC not plugged in
   * Defective system board
   * Defective or non-standard memory
   * POORLY connected or defective components

NOTE: If the POST process is intermittent in nature, checking for POST after each step may not indicate whether the troubleshooting step performed was successful. Several attempts may be required to confirm a permanent resolution.

From the Dell Troubleshooting site:  http://www.support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&journalid=ECECC6B46D3711DA94E97161D93B4635&treeid=D18817625C155BB3E030A68F73284158#en#us

Solution steps:

- Remove the system from the docking station, if applicable.      
- Disconnect the AC adapter from the wall outlet.      
- Reseat the power cable to the adapter.      
- Disconnect the AC adapter from the portable system
- Check the AC adapter plug to see if the pin is damaged or missing.      
- Remove the battery.      
- Check the battery charge LEDs.      
- Connect the AC adapter directly into a known-good outlet but not into the system.      
- Verify that the AC adapter has a solid green LED.      
- The AC adapter LED is not steady green:  http://www.support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&journalid=ECECC6B46D3711DA94E97161D93B4635&treeid=D18817625C155BB3E030A68F73284158
- The AC adapter LED is steady green:  http://www.support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&journalid=ECECC6B46D3711DA94E97161D93B4635&treeid=D18817625C155BB3E030A68F73284158

The links above will take you to the next step in trouble shooting your laptop.  If you have trouble or don't understand the procedure, let us know and we can help.  Tell us where, when, and how the procedure failed.  Note that Dell provides almost every conceivable type of info and guides for your laptop from the above links.

Hope this helps!

Dell