Unable to get beyond BIOS Post read out

Try this. Right out of the manual. The reset button is the little pin hole next to the power. Will need a paper clip that is straightened.

Entering the BIOS Setup
BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware
settings that are needed for system startup in the PC.
In normal circumstances, the default BIOS settings apply to most
conditions to ensure optimal performance. Do not change the
default BIOS settings except in the following circumstances:
An error message appears on the screen during the system
bootup and requests you to run the BIOS Setup.
You have installed a new system component that requires further
BIOS settings or update.
WARNING!
Inappropriate BIOS settings may result to instability
or boot failure. We strongly recommend that you change the BIOS
settings only with the help of a trained service personnel.
Quickly enter the BIOS
Windows8 boot time is quite fast, so we developed the following
three ways for you to quickly access the BIOS:
Before booting up the system, insert a straightened paper clip
into the BIOS Reset key.
BIOS Reset key
Press the power button for at least four seconds to shut down
your PC, then press the power button again to turn your PC back
on, and press F2 during POSt.
When your PC is off, disconnect the power cord from your PC's
power connector. Reconnect the power cord and press the
power button to turn on your PC. Press F2 during POST.

Download the latest BIOS update from your computer manufacturer's website onto a USB flash drive. Refer to your user manual to obtain the manufacturer's website address. If the downloaded BIOS file is a zip archive, unzip the contents onto your USB flash drive. Jumper settings may need to be reconfigured on some motherboards to enter BIOS recovery mode. Most Intel-based motherboards have a jumper setting or switch near the on-board CMOS battery. The procedure for setting the jumpers will vary depending on your motherboard make and model, so refer to the motherboard documentation for specific instructions. Power on the computer and press "F2" to access the Setup Mode menu. If you are unable to access the setup menu, you will not be able to proceed with this repair. Take your computer to a repair shop, as the motherboard may need to be replaced. Use the arrow key to select "Boot Priority" or a similarly named field. Press the "Enter" key. Scroll down until "First boot priority" or "First boot drive" is selected and press "Enter." Select the USB flash drive as the first boot priority device. Press the "F10" key to save this setting and exit from the setup menu. Connect the USB flash drive to an open USB port on your computer. Then let your computer fully reboot. The USB flash drive should be detected and the BIOS should update automatically. When the update is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer, or it may reboot automatically. If you are able to use your computer without any further problems of overheating or failure to recognize drives, your failed BIOS update has been resolved.

Download the latest BIOS update from your computer manufacturer's website onto a USB flash drive. Refer to your user manual to obtain the manufacturer's website address.

If the downloaded BIOS file is a zip archive, unzip the contents onto your USB flash drive.

Jumper settings may need to be reconfigured on some motherboards to enter BIOS recovery mode. Most Intel-based motherboards have a jumper setting or switch near the on-board

CMOS battery.

The procedure for setting the jumpers will vary depending on your motherboard make and model, so refer to the motherboard documentation for specific instructions.

Power on the computer and press "F2" to access the Setup Mode menu.

If you are unable to access the setup menu, you will not be able to proceed with this repair. Take your computer to a repair shop, as the motherboard may need to be replaced.

Use the arrow key to select "Boot Priority" or a similarly named field. Press the "Enter" key.

Scroll down until "First boot priority" or "First boot drive" is selected and press "Enter."

Select the USB flash drive as the first boot priority device. Press the "F10" key to save this setting and exit from the setup menu.

Connect the USB flash drive to an open USB port on your computer.

Then let your computer fully reboot.

The USB flash drive should be detected and the BIOS should update automatically.

When the update is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer, or it may reboot automatically.

If you are able to use your computer without any further problems of overheating or failure to recognize drives, your failed BIOS update has been resolved.

hope this helps

Download the latest BIOS update from your computer manufacturer's website onto a USB flash drive. Refer to your user manual to obtain the manufacturer's website address.

If the downloaded BIOS file is a zip archive, unzip the contents onto your USB flash drive.

Jumper settings may need to be reconfigured on some motherboards to enter BIOS recovery mode. Most Intel-based motherboards have a jumper setting or switch near the on-board

CMOS battery.

The procedure for setting the jumpers will vary depending on your motherboard make and model, so refer to the motherboard documentation for specific instructions.

Power on the computer and press "F2" to access the Setup Mode menu.

If you are unable to access the setup menu, you will not be able to proceed with this repair. Take your computer to a repair shop, as the motherboard may need to be replaced.

Use the arrow key to select "Boot Priority" or a similarly named field. Press the "Enter" key.

Scroll down until "First boot priority" or "First boot drive" is selected and press "Enter."

Select the USB flash drive as the first boot priority device. Press the "F10" key to save this setting and exit from the setup menu.

Connect the USB flash drive to an open USB port on your computer.

Then let your computer fully reboot.

The USB flash drive should be detected and the BIOS should update automatically.

When the update is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer, or it may reboot automatically.

If you are able to use your computer without any further problems of overheating or failure to recognize drives, your failed BIOS update has been resolved.

hope this helps

There is a setting in BIOS that determines what to do when when the computer receives power after a power failure. There was a time when this was set as power on; computer would power on automatically computer receives power after a power failure. I think this answers your first question.
In Windows you have a setting to 'Automatically restart' when the computer encounters a hardware/software problem. When unattended, the computer can turn on and turn off by itself repeatedly if there is a problem.
The repeated on-off can lead to more errors. If the problem is with the hard disk, it is likely to get damaged further, where finally you cannot go beyond the BIOS settings. In a Dell machine, F2 should be pressed to enter the BIOS setup.
Do not hesitate if you need further help.

It sounds like the Acer logo has been turned off in the bios settings. As soon as you hit the power button, start tapping the F2 key until you see the test appear "entering setup". Once you are in the BIOS, look for the Logo settings as far as being visible during Boot up. I've seen this setting on other systems so I am thinking the Acer should be similiar.

the os on the harddrive is not recognising the hardware and could be caused by change in bios settings or bad os.

It sounds as though your PF keys are disabled by the BIOS settings. Try this:
Upon cold start or reboot get to the BIOS setup. You may have to press F2 or delete, or whatever key the first POST messages instruct you to use. Different BIOS manufacturers use different keys, and you have to be quick to interrupt the boot process using the correct key. If you fail to determine what key it is, reboot once again, until you see/read what key does the job.
Next, once you're into the setup screens, look for a section where you can set/deny access to the F8, F9, F10 etc keys during the boot process.
Make sure you ENABLE them, following the instructions on what keys to use to set/reset these choices. Make sure you SAVE AND EXIT.
On the next reboot, upon the disappearance of all POST messages, make sure you press the F8 key repeatedly until you see your OS boot options menu, among which you'll find Safe Mode.
Good luck!

To access the BIOS, reboot the computer and as soon as it starts to boot and shows the inital screen of your moterboard manufacturer press F2 or DELETE key. This key may vary as per the manuacturer of the motherboard.

I hope this information allows you to resolve this issue.

If I have helped you, please help me, and rate this suggestion the highest FixYa rating. If you cannot rate this post with the highest rating, then please comment to this post and I will try to help you further.

Regards
Anand

Try to change the boot sequence or set your bios to defaults. Restart the computer. tap f2 on the dell logo. Press alt and F together. press alt and B together. Press Y if you get a prompt to 'save changes and exit?'.

If it still doesnt work. go back to the bios. restart. tap f2 on the dell logo. go to 'Integrated devices'. disable the network interface card'. Press Alt and b together. then try to boot the computer. Pls post back if it works.