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March 31st, 2023 04:00
Dell Precision 7820 - no screen display and BIOS Recovery 1 code on power button
Hi, I am bringing a Dell Precision 7820 back in to use.
No drives installed yet.
Just CPU, Ram and GPU - tested in another 7820 and they work.
Screen is always blank. Power button is white for about one minute and then it goes to flash code 3-3 which is BIOS Recovery mode 1, but never anything on the screen. Tried F12,, F2 and CTRL-ESC for some hope of activity.
Removed CMOS battery and cleared with Jumper and cleared flea power option too. Done several times over.
I have swapped in similar spec to what was in it when last used a year ago, but same code and blank screen.
I note on last use before component removal it passed it's diagnostic tests.
Any ideas ?
No Events found!
Chino de Oro
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March 31st, 2023 05:00
Sound like it's stuck in recovery mode but couldn't find any recovery partition (no drives installed). You may want to check the process to create a BIOS recovery image on a FAT32 USB and boot with it, hoping that it can complete the repair of corrupted BIOS.
Chino de Oro
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April 5th, 2023 04:00
3/3 flash is midway to a corrupted BIOS. Assuming you already tried with analog adapter (VGA) and graphics card on the other x16 slot.
DaveHayden
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April 5th, 2023 04:00
Thanks for the response, but there is no option to boot as no screen display ever.
I even put the USB into the internal socket and pressing F12 repeatedly in hope of something for a couple of minutes but it was just the same - one minute of waiting and then 3/3 flash code on power button and never seeing anything on screen. All inserted parts are Known Good. Any other ideas, otherwise I'm considering the board is knackered?
DaveHayden
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June 7th, 2023 01:00
Modern IT environment - finding native VGA card was not so easy - anyway - tried it in slots 1 and also slot 2 as both are x16. Tried BIOS version 7X20T_2.0.5 and also 7X20T_2.26.1 each tried separately on a USB stick. Still same result - when plugged direct in to VGA monitor just 3/3 flash code - tried pressing F2 F11 and F12 on fresh boots but still nothing on the screen - white light soon reverts to flash code. I have also cleared CMOS and taken battery out for a time - no joy.
mazzinia_
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June 7th, 2023 05:00
Chiming in : FHD display ? Tried with a lower resolution monitor vs the one being employed ?
Chino de Oro
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June 7th, 2023 09:00
I usually don't encourage users to flash BIOS updates unless it may fix performance or system issue. But, your machine issue is one of that requirement, so be it.
On the machine, if system has dual CPU, remove the 2nd (top tray) from system, set graphics card to the slot(s) supported by CPU0 only. Unplug cables to detach all storage devices, including os drive(s).
On the USB, formatted by FAT32, download and copy a recent BIOS firmware to it, the recent version is 2.33.1, rename firmware file to BIOS_IMG.rcv
On the input/keyboard, use a wired USB keyboard, or even PS/2 would be nicer.
With the machine off, held both CTRL + ESC keys and apply power to the machine. Note the CAPS LOCK key LED, as soon as it lights up, let go of the CTRL + ESC keys. Hopefully, that will trigger the BIOS recovery (BR2) process.
If there is no display but the machine and LED show some progress, do not disrupt it as it could be running. If there is no activity, just hit ENTER key blindly as the machine may be waiting for a command. If machine is idle with blinking error code, you may cut off power and repeat the process.
The goal is, with hardware changes and recovery commands, BIOS firmware may react to it and possibly allowing signals to the display while completing the recovery.