Dell OptiPlex 3010 Orange Light No Post

Question

Hi Everyone! I am quite a newbie when it comes to computer forums (this is the first one I have posted on) and I have a weird problem with my OptiPlex 3010 (orange light on motherboard and no boot). I cannot turn on my MT version of the pc without it quickly displaying the numbers 3,4 - then everything tuns off except one little orange light on the motherboard of the computer. I tried all the solutions about ram, replacing the PSU and everything and it all did not work, except from one thing....... When I take out the CMOS battery, the PC started like nothing was wrong. I then replaced the CMOS battery with a brand new one and it still had the same boot-up problem as before so I can assure you it is not the CMOS battery. Please respond to me ASAP as I urgently need this pc for work in this Coronavirus pandemic.   Thanks, Henry.

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

Thank you. Helpful history of diagnostic light 3,4 on. according to user manual,

Memory modules are detected, but a memory power failure has occurred.

you have reported CMOs battery is new. Now try reset CMOs jumper on motherboard to clear CMOs. To properly clear, AC power must be applied (not necessarily turned on) to the system for about 10 seconds while the jumper is closed.

The CMOS contains the current BIOS settings. To reset the CMOS and clear those settings:

Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet.
Remove the computer cover.
Locate the 2-pin password connector (PSWD) on the system board.
Remove the 2-pin jumper plug.
Locate the 2-pin CMOS jumper (RTCRST) on the system board.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug from the password jumper to pins into the CMOS jumper.
Plug in AC power to the system and wait ten seconds for the CMOS to clear.
Move the 2-pin jumper plug back to the password jumper.

*****

If still no POST, buy two new ddr3-1333 MHz (pc3-10600), 2x1 gb or 2x2 gb to test. If you have another working desktop using ddr3, can borrow the memory to test too.

when you test No POST issue, disconnect all devices including video card, keyboard, mouse, hdd, ssd, odd. The motherboard should only have have cpu, ram, front panel cable, monitor connected.

Still not resolved? Use the "Get Help Now" option at the bottom right to chat with a Dell technician right away.

redxps630 · Answer

what do you mean by When I take out the CMOS battery, the PC started like nothing was wrong?is there video on monitor when you do that? tried all the solutions about ram, replacing the PSU what exactly did you try w ram? Is the replacement  psu brand new or pulled from a working pc?

WumpusThePCBuilder · Answer

Hi, thanks for a reply @redxps630 -

Yes, when I took the CMOS battery out, there was video on my monitor on all display ports and through my graphics card (1050TI).

I tried reseating the RAM, turning it on with 1 stick out of two.

That new PSU was a Corsair VS550 from amazon - brand new, bought 3 days ago for this problem.

Thanks so much for your replies and I hope to hear more from you guys soon.

WumpusThePCBuilder · Answer

Hi thanks so much for replying @redxps630 , I do not have a jumper in the PSWD or the RTCRST port so how can I move it? Photo is attached of my motherboard with GPU taken out:

Thank you for replying with speed, please carry it on @redxps630 ! GREATLY APPRECIATED!

redxps630 · Answer

I won’t see pic of your pic of motherboard until it is approved. Is your 3010 MT or SFF?

go look at your motherboard as if you are a little tourist in a big city, go from cpu towards chipset, turn right, do you see three small black 3 pin jumpers? If yes read the letter printed on circuit board next to each jumper. If any one of these reads something like CLR CMOs or RTCRST, move jumper over from pin12 to 23, connect pc to power (no need to turn pc on), wait 15-30 sec, move jumper back to pin12.

e.g., 3010 SFF

I circled 3 jumpers, 2 in a pair, one separate. I can read PSWD CLR for the 3rd jumper. If yours looks like it, what does the pair of jumper read?

WumpusThePCBuilder · Answer

It is a 3010 MT. Thank you for your still quick response but I still do not see any 3 pin jumper cable, only sockets. I will upload that photo to imgur anyway - you dont have to look at it, just thought it might help. https://imgur.com/a/2ERYvmC

redxps630 · Answer

3010 MT I circled 3 jumpers.  Read the letter next to each jumper.

WumpusThePCBuilder · Answer

Thank you so very much @redxps630 for all your help which is greatly appreciated and using your help, I can now provide food and money for my family.   Have a nice day!

Arcade13 · Answer

Hi, i have a similar problem since i can't see the cables that you are refering to,I would also like to take a look at the photo that you have highlighted the cables that are supposed to be exchanged.

I'll appreciate the help.

Semi-geek · Answer

You could also try disconnecting your hard drive cable and using canned air to gently blow off the port on the motherboard. I used to have an ASUS that I had to do that with once in awhile to get it to boot. The other thing I would suggest is to go into the bios and make sure it’s set to boot from the hard drive.

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Dell OptiPlex 3010 Orange Light No Post

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