New Motherboard problems

Question

I just received a replacement motherboard from Dell.  The stupid thing is in Maintenance Mode and I cannot get it out of it.  It goes through this diagnostic thing and asks to hit Alt-F to reboot.  There is nothing in the BIOS that tells me that I can turn it off.   Everytime I go into the BIOS to make some changes, I save the settings and exit/reboot.  The machine comes back up doing the same thing and does not save any changes.   aaarrrrrgghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

NVRambo · Answer

I could post a link had you mentioned the model number. It sounds as if a jumper is misplaced on the systemboard and just needs to be put on the proper pins.

snapohead · Answer

Have you tried pressing Alt-F? This will take you out of maintenance mode. You cannot turn this off in BIOS.

draganosky · Answer

Yea, I pressed the Alt-F.  The board keeps rebooting and the same thing happens over and over again....

snapohead · Answer

What model computer is it?

draganosky · Answer

It is a GX270.

netboy34 · Answer

I'm having the same problem with a GX260.  complete error message is   No Boot Device Availible -System operating in Manufacturing Mode (Alt-F to reboot in normal operating mode)   Strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility     I do the Alt-f and it redetects drives, tries a pxe boot, and the message appears again.

netboy34 · Answer

Update: just tried updating the BIOS per another thread from a dell tech that I searched and still did not work..

DELL-Mel · Answer

netboy34,

Have you tried clearing the system NVRAM then resetting to the factory default settings? Clear NVRAM by turning on the Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock and press the Alt + E keys. Then after clearing NVRAM reset the default settings with Alt + F

Respectfully,

netboy34 · Answer

no go on that...  I've put in a request for another motherboard so maybe that will take care of it..

dwrice · Answer

Hey I had the same problem with a replacment board on a GX260. I got tech support on the phone and was able to reset the bios within setup by.

1. boot and use F2 to get to setup. you will get the manufacturing mode warning etc.

1. turning on caps lock, scroll lock and numlock (all three lights at top right of keyboard should be lit).

2. hold down ALT and press e then f then b

I think it may start going through some junk. wait awhile to make sure you let it do it's thing.

When it boots again it may go through this IRQ checking junk again but then it should boot. You might have to go to setup to reset some things specific to your computer like boot sequence etc.

dwrice · Answer

Correction: You won't see the 'manufacturing mode' warning in setup. Sorry if that led to confusion.

jjbuckaroo · Answer

manufacturing mode is hard coded in the bios rom. clearing the cmos will not take it out of manufacturing mode. Message Edited by jjbuckaroo on 02-02-2005 09:41 AM

draganosky · Answer

Next time you get a replacement board from Dell, and this happens again, try my suggestion. It is a lot easier to do. Especially when you have the machine open and the jumpers available.

All of the user machines at this university [www.iup.edu] are Dell's. The last time I switched out a MB is when the first posted message is listed. 98% of our machine are the OptiPlex series. We also have to be Dell certified to be able to get any warranty parts.

I should have posted this answer the next day or the same day I got this answer instead of letting people fester over this problem. Sorry to everyone for not posting this sooner!

jjbuckaroo · Answer

The only thing that will take it out of manufacturing mode is Alt-f when you get that message. IF it does not work then it is a defective motherboard.   Most of the times it is defective, since the factory probably had the same problem and didn't notice that it wasn't coming out. Basically, it shouldn't be going out from the factory in manufacturing mode.

draganosky · Answer

Yes it will.  I tried it and it worked.   I would not have suggested it if I didn't do this myself and not have it work. Message Edited by draganosky on 02-02-2005 09:47 AM

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New Motherboard problems

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