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13 Posts
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41811
June 17th, 2014 06:00
Dell Bios upgrade failed, now computer will not start.
I was downloading drivers on my dell opitplex 780. I decided to upgrade my bios from A08 to A15, since it was the only bios update. When i accepted the update to restart and begin the flash, the screen would not turn on and the desktop stayed powered on for an hour before i unplugged it. After that every time i turned it on the the same thing would happen:the screen would not turn on and the desktop stayed powered when the power was plugged. After researching, i removed the motherboard battery for a few minutes then replaced it. I did not see a jumper. When i restarted i the COMS had reset and i was able to get to "starting windows" but i barely complete before a blue screen appear and it restarts. Does any one know how i can fix this issue? I was updated my bios to see if it would take more updated memory.....i guess not. Oh and with either original or new memory it does the same thing. Sorry for the long explanation.
shesagordie
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June 17th, 2014 09:00
shesagordie
See if the following can help:
http://www.discountelectronics.com/category?product_model=27&category=2&gclid=CLaHoa2fgb8CFXNo7AodO3wAew&product_type[2]=2
You could also try eBay.
Bev.
xxtakara
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
When i had went into the BIOs, everything seemed fine. I will run the hard ware tests. I will also try booting from a CD. I cant try until a few hours.
shesagordie
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June 17th, 2014 08:00
xxtakara
The typical fix for a failed, or corrupt BIOS flash, is to replace the motherboard.
Bev.
shesagordie
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June 17th, 2014 09:00
xxtakara
It's a bummer when that happens.
I found using Google best to locate computer parts.
Bev.
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 09:00
Thank for your help, i guess that is all i can do. Do you know the best way to research a new mother board? I want to keep the thread open for a bit before i click "dthis answered my question".
Thanks again,
shesagordie
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June 17th, 2014 09:00
xxtakara
Which version of the OptiPlex 780, do you have, the Mini-tower, Desktop or the Small form factor?
Bev.
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 11:00
My service tag is [Amin Note: Service Tag Edited per TOU policy] if it helps, i was trying to figure out if it was a Mini-tower, or Desktop. I received it for free, so it never concerned me.
RoHe
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June 17th, 2014 11:00
I'm confused...
If you can now get to a screen saying "Starting Windows", then it's likely the PC is successfully completing the POST which suggests the motherboard is ok.
What version of Windows and exactly what does the blue screen say before it restarts?
Reboot and press F8. Pick "Safe Mode with Networking" from the menu and see what happens. If that works you likely have a driver or maybe hard drive issue.
If Safe Mode fails, reboot and press F8 again. Depending on the version of Windows look on that F8 menu for options to repair Windows (eg, Last Known Good) and follow the prompts.
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
Thanks so much! I'll get it, after trying a few things.
shesagordie
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
xxtakara
You seem to have a Small Form Factor system [SFF], similar to the following:
http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-780_service%20manual3_en-us.pdf
You can find a link to buying a replacement Dell OEM SFF motherboard in my posts.
http://www.discountelectronics.com/product?product_id=15909&product_model=27
You will need to use another Dell OEM 780 SFF motherboard, because it is a Dell proprietary BTX system.
Bev.
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
unfortunately the blue screen is there for less than a second. I'll try to see if i can read it. I tried safe mode but same issue. I'll try with safe mode again. It is windows 7 enterprise.
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
When i had went into the BIOs, everything seemed fine. I will run the hard ware tests. I will also try booting from a CD. I cant try until a few hours.......
RoHe
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June 17th, 2014 12:00
If you reboot and press F2, can you get into BIOS setup? Check the settings...
Reboot and press F12. Go to Utilities partition and run all the hardware tests.
If Safe Mode doesn't work, try Last Good. And then try repairing Windows using the other options. You may need your Dell Win 7E Reinstallation DVD to do a repair.
BTW: Can you boot from some bootable CD or DVD, such as your Dell Win Reinstallation DVD or Dell Resources CD, etc?
xxtakara
13 Posts
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June 17th, 2014 18:00
update: i changed the bios sata operation setting to AHCI and was able to get to my user profile but when i restart or shut down i have to power cycle it to get it to work again. the screen will not turn on and the desktop stays powered on
xxtakara
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June 18th, 2014 06:00
I did the full diagnostics test and it found no problems