Optiplex 3010, no USB in POST or anywhere

Question

I have an Optiplex 3010 (i3) which has no USB on startup or in Windows. Here's what I've tried so far: The power supply was starting, stopping, starting, stopping and then starting with the numbers 3 and 4 lit (the fan would rev briefly and then die, repeatedly). I tried replacing the power supply with a known good with the same result. I also tried swapping around the memory SIMMs and using just one or the other. I suppose there is some chance they're both bad but I haven't pursued that yet. I've also unplugged the front USB ports just in case one of them was damaged and shorting out. And finally I pulled the motherboard to see if there was any obvious damage which there was not. None of that has changed the situation.

Any and all suggestions/help appreciated in advance.

DWM

bradthetechnut · Answer

First, unless it's been done within the last 5 yrs., replace the size 2032 CMOS battery. A low battery can cause all sorts of seemingly unrelated bizarre problems. Duracell or Energizer is suggested as Sony only lasted me 2 years.

3,4 with blue/white power light:

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

If two or more memory modules are installed. Remove the modules (see your service manual), then reinstall one module (see your service manual and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally. Continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install some working memory of the same type into your computer.

3,4 with amber power light:

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

If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules, then reinstall one module and restart the computer. If the computer starts normally. Continue to install additional memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. If only one memory module is installed, try moving it to a different DIMM connector and restart the computer.
If available, install verified working memory of the same type into your computer.

dmizesr · Answer

Thanks for the help. I put in a new battery and used a known good SIMM and got the same results. I was able to capture the sequence of events a little more accurately.

As soon as I plug in power the fan revs. No pushing the power button. After the first fan rev the blue power light comes on and 3 and 4 come on in the front. Everything goes out and then the fan revs again. The blue power light comes on and 3 and 4 come on in the front. Everything goes out and the fan revs again. This time the blue power light comes on, then 3 and 4 come on, they blink out and 2, 3 and 4 come on, they blink out and then 1, 2 and 3 come on and stay on. About that time the Dell logo comes up on the screen followed by "keyboard not found!" Because I currently don't have a hard drive hooked up it then goes to "no boot device found" and prompts to press F1 or F2. I've tried a couple of different USB keyboards and mice and nothing responds.

Again, thanks in advance for any advice, even if the advice is to set fire to the thing and throw it out the window.

DWM

bradthetechnut · Answer

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=udGOe7LQJEI This is a test whereas internal components get plugged back in one by one until the green light doesn't appear when pushing BIST. Right now, it simply seems like an MB problem.

Dell Diagnostic Indicators This page goes by model year. Though I couldn't find an exact model year for the 3010, after 2012, starting with the 7010, Dell quit using #'s on Optiplex's as diagnostic indicators.

Optiplex Desktops

Optiplex 3010, no USB in POST or anywhere

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