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GX270 boots to OS and then?
I'm working on a GX270 that attempts to boot to the OS and then looses the video signal, I think. I tested this using both the on board Windows XP and a Ubuntu Live CD with both operating systems the unit boots to a point and then the video in the screen goes black. The power light on the front of the machine remains green and the CPU fan continues to spin. I also checked the hard drive and it is still spinning. I tried using an AGP video card with the same results. I booted the unit into the setup screen and the video remained on the screen for 20 minutes not long after I escaped from the setup screen the unit booted into Windows XP and then the video went out.
I used a flip-post card and got an AF25 error, but the manual I have for this unit doesn't show any digital error codes. It only has beep codes and the unit isn't producing any of those. The flip-post manual has some codes in it, but none for the Dell BIOS. I'm going to check the PC Diagnostics site. Could this possibly be a CPU issue? I confirmed that the CPU was seated properly and cleaned and replace the thermal paste, but that didn't help either. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.
Jayme
The_Namek
2.8K Posts
1
November 12th, 2011 18:00
JaymeHarris2007,
Since this computer is an Optiplex GX270 I'd suggest visually inspecting the capacitors on the motherboard to see if any of them have bulging tops or have leaked fluid. If so then the motherboard will need to be replaced to resolve this issue.
This type of problem is a known issue with the GX270 and GX280 models that was first officially acknowledged a little over 6 years ago IIRC.
osprey4
34.2K Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 03:00
Hi Jayme,
There's no way to know what it is without more diagnosis. So one thing I do not suggest is swapping out parts.
It sounds to be an OS problem, since you are able to see the display prior to booting to the OS. If you can boot to the Dell drivers and utilities disc, you can run the diagnostics from there. The diagnostics run separate from the OS. I've got a link below to the instructions.
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 06:00
Hi Osprey,
Thank you for your suggestions. I apologize if this shows up twice. I replied once already and got an error message and a screen that said there was a redirect server loop. Anyway back on topic.
I attempted to access the utility partition and there doesn't appear to be one. When I pressed option 7 the system booted to the windows screen and then the video went out. I followed your link to the Dell Diagnostics page and looked at the directions on how to download the utility. Do you know if any of the options will run from a CD?
I did have one other thought. If this is an OS issue shouldn't it continue to run when I have the Ubuntu Live CD running?
Jayme
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 06:00
Thanks Speed Test. I'm downloading now.
Jayme
osprey4
34.2K Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 06:00
As I suggested above, the Dell drivers and utilities disc has the diagnostics, or go to downloads find a diagnostic download that can be used to make a bootable CD or flash drive.
speedstep
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
47K Posts
1
November 12th, 2011 06:00
Dell Diagnostics can be burned from ISO to CD.
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 07:00
Osprey,
Sorry I should have mentioned that I don't have a Dell Drivers and Utilities disc. I did go to the diagnostics section and all that was listed there was one version that uses floppy discs and two that were to be downloaded and run from the hard drive. Speed Step posted some links for some ISOs and I downloaded one of them. I'm running the test know and will post again with the results.
P.S. Sorry about the misspelling of your name in my last post Speed Step.
Jayme
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 12:00
I burned the ISO to a CD and ran it on the computer. The unit ran fine all through the extended hardware test, which it passed with no errors. I have tried re-installing the software with a Dell OEM XP Professional disc. The install worked fine through the format and up to the re-boot of the system and then I lose the video after it starts the install.
Jayme
osprey4
34.2K Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 17:00
And during the tests, you're not losing video, I presume.
Sounds like some old fashioned troubleshooting is what it's going to take. Just remember the basics, only change one thing at a time, etc. How about safe mode? Have you tried another monitor?
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 12th, 2011 21:00
Thank you Osprey and The_Namek for your suggestions,
I finally got the Windows XP install to complete and when I start it up it will run up to the point where I try to multitask with something else. I opened Internet Explorer and tried to download google chrome and the video went out. It happens at different times. I got google chrome to install and the video went out when trying to access the web site for Avast. I haven't had any issues with the monitor I'm using on any of the other computers I've worked on, but I'll try changing it out just in case. I'll also pull the board and inspect it for damage. I actually have another GX270 here and two motherboards that I may be able to use if I need to.
Jayme
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 13th, 2011 07:00
Good call on the motherboard The_Namek. I checked it last night and it has four leaking and a bulging capacitor. Thank you for your help.
Jayme
The_Namek
2.8K Posts
0
November 13th, 2011 08:00
Glad to have been of assistance Jayme. It's too bad this happened so late in the game in your case. When Dell initially acknowledged the capacitor problem they started a program in which owners of affected systems could get the motherboards replaced free of charge even if the computer's warranty had expired. I think the time period was either 2 or 3 years after a system's warranty coverage had ended.
If either of the other motherboards you have are compatible with the GX270's chassis then you may be all right anyway.
JaymeHarris2007
45 Posts
0
November 13th, 2011 09:00
The three GX270 MBs that I have all have bad caps on them. I found MBs on ebay for about $25.00 for a refurbished unit to $44.00 for a new one. I'll tell the owner and let him decide of he wants to go that route.
Jayme