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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
redxps630
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Posted April 27th, 2020 03:00
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.