optiplex 7010 cannot boot

Question

I have used my Optiplex 7010 sff for 5 years.  It worked very well before. But today when I wanted to boot it, the computer cannot boot into system. Instead amber led blinks every about 5 seconds.  I cannot find this kind of status in this computer's diagnose manual and https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/zh-cn/optiplex-7010/opti7010_usff/power-led-diagnostics?guid=guid-52106768-c0ec-411e-a583-375a950df672 this webpage.  I have  taken down the DDR memory, harddisk , GPU, usb devices  to diagnose it , this phenomenon sometimes still happen, sometimes amber led show 'no memory modules are detected'.  Then I plug in memory and other devices, sometimes it can boot into windows, more often it still amber led blinks every about 5 seconds. Do you know what does 'amber led blinks every about 5 seconds' mean?  which part of my computer have problem, power supply or motherboad? Thanks.

JOcean · Answer

According to the chart you referenced, a blinking amber power light indicates a bad PSU (Power Supply). Since you can boot into Windows at times it may be that the PSU is failing.

imjacob88 · Answer

hi, thanks. But I follow this https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/zh-cn/000125186/how-to-troubleshoot-power-issue-on-a-dell-desktop-or-all-in-one?lang=en webpage. 'How to run the self-test using the button on the PSU' part to test it.  the power supply green led works as it said

redxps630 · Answer

the Dell procedure is not reliable way to prove psu is good.  Try use a spare working psu to test 7010 motherboard.  Agree w JOcean.  Finicky PC that occasionally turns on but most of time does not and blinks amber is telltale sign of failing psu.

bradthetechnut · Answer

'Instead amber led blinks every about 5 seconds.  I cannot find this kind of status in this computer's diagnose manual' Try changing the size 2032 CMOS battery.  See if the error code changes.  A bad battery will cause all sorts of seemingly unrelated bizarre problems, including boot, boot loop, and erroneous error codes.  Hopefully then either it works or we get an understandable error code. With PC off, but plugged in, with all external peripherals disconnected, if you push test button and you get a green light, it doesn't necessarily mean your PSU is good, but means your internal peripherals are.  A bad PSU can still light the green light with test button pushed and spin the fans.

imjacob88 · Answer

Thanks for replying. I follow bradthetechnut advice, took off old cmos battery, the voltage is only 2.7 volts. so I replace a new one. And a few minutes, optiplex can go into windows. Then I use it about 10 hours, even I used AIDA tool to test its  stability, Also it passed the test. Then I make windows sleep. But the next day amber led blinks every about 5 seconds again. I try to power off. Then to power on, phenomenon still happened. After I power off, then after waiting 1 hour, the machine can go to windows. It's so strange.

bradthetechnut · Answer

At this point, I lean toward what JOcean and redxps630 are saying, and it's indicative of PSU failure. Normally, blinking amber (no special sequence, and not once every 5 seconds) can mean bad PSU.

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