In this link punch in the system service tag or express service code and you can access the user manual, once you reseat the memory and check if the issue persists.
Actually, I forgot to mention that I had already tried that. Did the same with the hard drive, and as well pulled the keyboard to make sure display and other connectors there were correctly seated.
I appreciate your technical expertise to resolve this issue. This seems to be an issue with the motherboard, please consider replacing it.
In case the system warranty is expired, Please contact the Out of Warranty department 1-800-288-4410 (U.S.Customer only). In case you’re from different region please let us know.
Just to be sure, because certainly it might turn out to be less expensive if this is the case, but is it possible that this behavior is a result of either the bios battery or RAM being bad? It just seems odd that it would work, then need to be booted into diagnostic, and then finally stop booting. A motherboard problem seems more like to stop suddenly. I rarely use this computer, and its been sitting unplugged for a long time in between uses. This seems to me that at least there is potential for the last remaining bit of BIOS battery to drain, resulting in this behavior.
A dead (or missing) CMOS battery will not prevent powerup. Bad RAM can - remove both modules and try powering up. If you get a two-beep sequence, try each module singly in each socket until you isolate the bad module or the bad socket.
If you get no beeps on power up without RAM installed, the mainboard is toast.
If the system has an nVidia video card, these are well known for failing as well - and a bad video card can prevent powerup as well.
Thanks for the feedback. I only have one memory module, and here is some weird behavior- if I don't have the battery plugged in, when I turn it on I don't get the power light (ON) going solid and then the battery/charging light. It will only flash the ON light when I am pressing it; as soon as I release, full stop on everything.
When the battery is plugged in, memory or no, I get the same behavior (ON lights up for a second, then battery/charging flashes once). I never get any beeps, but I can't honestly remember this machine EVER beeping. There is usually a beep after memtest on normal boot, no? If the mobo speaker is toast, and its just the memory that is bad I would never hear a beep.
What is odd is the different behavior with/without battery. The battery is for all intents and purposes, dead. Pressing the test gauge on the battery only gets one light, very briefly lighting up. Seems very strange that the battery would need to be in for it to start up, and obviously it was not like that previously, and I have seen some things on the web about the powersupply connector on the mobo getting replaced (and lord knows mine has been accidentally kicked enough times to work that adapter loose from the motherboard).
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback and the patience on helping me work through this. I am pretty remote, and rarely use this computer, so I would like to explore all avenues before replacing anything.
DELL-Senthil S
4 Operator
•
2.5K Posts
0
November 29th, 2013 06:00
Hi mondoswank,
Please remove and reseat the memory by referring to the user manual in the link below.
http://dell.to/17xTZkS
In this link punch in the system service tag or express service code and you can access the user manual, once you reseat the memory and check if the issue persists.
mondoswank
5 Posts
0
November 29th, 2013 08:00
Actually, I forgot to mention that I had already tried that. Did the same with the hard drive, and as well pulled the keyboard to make sure display and other connectors there were correctly seated.
DELL-Senthil S
4 Operator
•
2.5K Posts
0
November 29th, 2013 08:00
Hi mondoswank,
I appreciate your technical expertise to resolve this issue. This seems to be an issue with the motherboard, please consider replacing it.
In case the system warranty is expired, Please contact the Out of Warranty department 1-800-288-4410 (U.S.Customer only). In case you’re from different region please let us know.
mondoswank
5 Posts
0
November 30th, 2013 06:00
Actually, yes, I am in Europe.
Just to be sure, because certainly it might turn out to be less expensive if this is the case, but is it possible that this behavior is a result of either the bios battery or RAM being bad? It just seems odd that it would work, then need to be booted into diagnostic, and then finally stop booting. A motherboard problem seems more like to stop suddenly. I rarely use this computer, and its been sitting unplugged for a long time in between uses. This seems to me that at least there is potential for the last remaining bit of BIOS battery to drain, resulting in this behavior.
Many thanks for your responses!
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
November 30th, 2013 07:00
A dead (or missing) CMOS battery will not prevent powerup. Bad RAM can - remove both modules and try powering up. If you get a two-beep sequence, try each module singly in each socket until you isolate the bad module or the bad socket.
If you get no beeps on power up without RAM installed, the mainboard is toast.
If the system has an nVidia video card, these are well known for failing as well - and a bad video card can prevent powerup as well.
mondoswank
5 Posts
0
December 1st, 2013 06:00
Thanks for the feedback. I only have one memory module, and here is some weird behavior- if I don't have the battery plugged in, when I turn it on I don't get the power light (ON) going solid and then the battery/charging light. It will only flash the ON light when I am pressing it; as soon as I release, full stop on everything.
When the battery is plugged in, memory or no, I get the same behavior (ON lights up for a second, then battery/charging flashes once). I never get any beeps, but I can't honestly remember this machine EVER beeping. There is usually a beep after memtest on normal boot, no? If the mobo speaker is toast, and its just the memory that is bad I would never hear a beep.
What is odd is the different behavior with/without battery. The battery is for all intents and purposes, dead. Pressing the test gauge on the battery only gets one light, very briefly lighting up. Seems very strange that the battery would need to be in for it to start up, and obviously it was not like that previously, and I have seen some things on the web about the powersupply connector on the mobo getting replaced (and lord knows mine has been accidentally kicked enough times to work that adapter loose from the motherboard).
Anyway, thanks again for the feedback and the patience on helping me work through this. I am pretty remote, and rarely use this computer, so I would like to explore all avenues before replacing anything.