9010 AIO, no display, no boot

Try a BIOS reset.  Locate the CR2032 CMOS backup battery on the motherboard.  With the PC Powered Off, remove the battery for at least 10 minutes.  Reinstall and see if this helps.

Dell Manual:

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-9010-aio_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf

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@Kiss That Frog wrote:

Optiplex 9010 all in one.

1. I was able to boot to a USB stick and install Windows 10. Installation went fine, rebooted and started going through setup, which completed successfully.

2. Went to support.dell.com to download drivers and at some point before I was able to start the driver install, the screen went blank. Keyboard was unresponsive (no caps lock or num lock lights) and ctrl-alt-del did nothing.

3. Did a hard power off, turn back on, power light on, fan runs, nothing else. Tried unplugging for a few minutes, plug back in, fan, nothing else. I've already tried unplugging everything, didn't change anything.

4. At this point, is there any chance that it could be anything but the motherboard? 

 

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1. I would have run an ePSA Diagnostic first, but for it to do all this, machine hardware is at least 90% good.

2. You should not have tried to update BIOS if it was already working.

3. You first have to get back to successful BIOS POST, BIOS access, and ePSA running.

4. Hard to say with an AinO. Pretend it's a laptop. Connect plain wired-usb keyboard/mouse.

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln300716/bios-recovery-options-on-a-dell-pc-or-tablet?lang=en

1. I had no reason to suspect that the machine was no good.

2. I did not update the BIOS, I wasn't even able to get the drivers installed before it crashed.

4. tried BIOS recovery key sequence. Nothing.

ETA: according to the chart on the link you posted, that model doesn't support BIOS recovery.

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@Kiss That Frog wrote:

1. I had no reason to suspect that the machine was no good.

2. I did not update the BIOS, I wasn't even able to get the drivers installed before it crashed.

 

4. tried BIOS recovery key sequence. Nothing.

ETA: according to the chart on the link you posted, that model doesn't support BIOS recovery.

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1. I wasn't trying to say you did anything wrong. Just to alert you to the ePSA (and it's importance). After you have been doing this for 20-30 years (working on computers and other computerized machines) ... to be good at it, you tend to develop some methodical work-flows. :Smile:

2. good

4. Yeah, Google search revealed this model to be ancient, but it was worth a try. Again, just trying to alert you to options.

I like @fireberd idea with CMOS battery. Reset that thing.

I suggest you keep working towards:

3. You first have to get back to successful BIOS POST, BIOS access, and ePSA running.

How you proceed largely depends on your motivation. Also, your personal skills, availability of professional assistance, and your wallet.

I actually have been doing this for quite a while (built my first PC in '91 but had been playing with other architectures since '82; I'm actually an IT pro, but I work in software, not hardware), but I usually only run tests when I experience an issue (call it impatience). When I have a few minutes I'll try clearing the CMOS (getting inside is a bit of work). However, I'm not averse to replacing the motherboard; cheap working replacements are readily available on the used market, and while I know this is relatively ancient, the performance is still up to modern standards (excepting the lack of USB 3 ports), and it's the only large screen touchscreen machine I have, so it's got kind of a cool factor.

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@Kiss That Frog wrote:

1. I actually have been doing this for quite a while (built my first PC in '91 but had been playing with other architectures since '82; I'm actually an IT pro, but I work in software, not hardware), but I usually only run tests when I experience an issue (call it impatience). When I have a few minutes I'll try clearing the CMOS (getting inside is a bit of work). However, I'm not averse to replacing the motherboard; cheap working replacements are readily available on the used market, and while I know this is relatively ancient, the performance is still up to modern standards (excepting the lack of USB 3 ports),

2. and it's the only large screen touchscreen machine I have, so it's got kind of a cool factor.

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1. Well, good. Then you know what you are getting yourself into. 9010 is a "high number", so yes, it's a shame.

2. Is it cool or just a novelty?

I have a 23inch WinTel All-In-One here. Works fine, but the only time I "touch the screen" is when the batteries in wireless mouse/keyboard die.

Also have a Lenovo X1-Carbon Touch laptop ... never touch the screen.

Now, Android tablet or iPad ... now yer-talkin. My iPad Pro with Apple Pencil ... now that's "cool". To each his own I guess.

Did you get your AIO back up and running?  I have the same problem only after updating the recommended BIOS from Dell Support Assist.

I have same problem. It is shame. BIOS A25 from official support site: https://www.dell.com/support/home/cz/cs/czbsd1/product-support/product/optiplex-9010-aio/drivers. During upgrading I got this error: BIOS Update Error - ME FW Update Failed: Internal error: FWU_Buffer, then no rollback. The bios write only success message, then restart and kill self.

I had the same problem after using the Support Assist app - which let me know that there was an update for the BIOS.  This happened to me just recently.  I found a forum that someone posted that the factory DDR3 memory that came with his Optiplex AIO 9010 had become incompatible after the BIOS update.  The BIOS update only allowed for DDR3L.  So I took a chance, installed 8gb of DDR3L, and now my Optiplex AIO 9010 is working again.  I almost sent my system to be recycled. This is a great system.  Very fast and responsive.

Just wanted to say thanks @magilla77  for replying to another Dell Bios update victim. Trapped in Corona'Ville and didnt have any other PC around when Dell Support Assist told me it was  "URGENT" to update bios. I clicked OK and instantly had a 20 pound boat anchor on my desk that was my working PC just moments earlier. Grabbed my phone, searched, found your post, changed memory and I'm +My_PC now and -Boat_Anchor again. Thank you @magilla77 @magilla77 very much for your post explaining Dell's bios update making their pre-installed ram incompatible after doing their "URGENT" bios update. Oh... and Dell, thanks for just one more hassle with things that really aren't that "URGENT" but become so after your direction. Some of us out here have other things to do rather than screw around because someone on your staff thought it would be funny. We don't work there, you do and we trust you when we buy your products. Or used to.

@Oh Crap Hide That​ - Glad I was able to help!