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3172
March 31st, 2019 23:00
XPS 8930, power light code blinks 3x then 6x
After researching the codes and finding the 3 then 6 blinks mean “recovery image not found” it is recommended to do the Dell BIOS recovery procedure by holding down the control and escape keys at the same time to start this process. The snag I’m running into is that it doesn’t seem the key board/usb connection is responding to input. Am I missing something? None of the keys seem to respond, no cap lock or num lock, seems strange.
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fireberd
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April 1st, 2019 03:00
According to the Dell chart I have, 3,6 is a System Board (motherboard) failure. Considering no keyboard function that would also point to a motherboard problem.
You can try the CMOS Memory reset and if that doesn't work most likely a motherboard failure.
To reset the CMOS Memory, with the unit powered off, remove the CR2032 battery on the motherboard for at least 10 minutes, reinstall and try.
If this is still in warranty contact Dell support for warranty service.
Bdbenson
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April 1st, 2019 22:00
Davetronix
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July 6th, 2019 08:00
My Dell XPS Desktop 8930 (2018) is getting the 3,6 amber lights on start up too.
I checked the user manual diagnostics page 139.
https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/xps-8930-desktop_service-manual_en-us.pdf
It says 3,6 is Recovery image not found.
Am I looking at the wrong thing or is it a 'Recovery image not found' problem?
savvy2
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July 6th, 2019 08:00
here is how recovery fails, not all ways, but most.
1: not the original HDD there, when new, its gone.
2: upgraded to SSD or bigger HDD, image gone.
3: HDD is bad, or FAILS SMART DISK tests, (a seems good HDD is bad if the unrecoverable sectors are depleted, END OF LIFE ONE HDD , classic and super common even 5 years old)
4: a virus attached your HDD and now windows and/ or the recovery partitions are a wrecked.
why not test the HDD first. I use this. costs can be only $1, one dvd-r, or $5 for stick?
check out how Linux shows HDD BAD here, classic.
http://www.pcdied.com/linux.html
savvy2
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July 6th, 2019 08:00
3,6 means somone tired to run the system windows recover and is missing due to bad hdd. top cause.
bad HDD means, 1 bad hdd, or smart fails and 2, you replaced the HDD and is now missing forever.
did you buy this PC broken,did kids play with it? did you use the hot keys for windows recovery and that failed.
history matters here, and not stated.
what ID do, if UNKNOWN HISTORY , id remove the HDD, and put in my spare and load w10 64 fresh.
w10 is free at MS for 30day so can be used that way to test any PC.
that is what I'd do, not a new mobo wow $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
then or, run Linux ubuntu v17+ live media see if PC boots to Linux and runs prefect as most do, with HDD issues. (click try me as it boots, no hdd need be present nor DESIRED)
why guess, the tests are easy and free, if you have blank USB stick (I keep like 5 spares waiting just for when things go bad)
savvy2
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July 6th, 2019 08:00
really all it takes is 1 binary bit in the recovery partition wrong and bam, or the whole thing missing.
or someone cloned HDD to SSD and now the recovery partition fails as they all do cloned and by design for MS licensing rules. Dell must comply with.
if HDD is still good , load windows from scratch and fresh, using fresh new media ,w10 64 1809 release or higher.
Davetronix
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July 7th, 2019 07:00
Thanks Savvy2,
The situation is:
The power turned off mid BIOS update.
Unable to boot.
Computer bought brand new.
savvy2
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July 7th, 2019 08:00