Is it completely broken?

Question

Hi all,

This is my first post so forgive me for any obvious information omission i.e. critical info for diagnosis

I have a 2011 Dell Optiplex 990 Mid tower. A few months ago it kept throwing up error messages on ePSA that my memory bus had failed, CPU cache had failed, and so had one stick of memory, yet this was 2 of 3 times, and the other times it would boot up Windows 10 but shut down randomly.

Before this it worked with Windows 10 fine after a botched upgrade that I managed to sort out once I changed some basic BIOS settings.

Yet before this it ran it's native Windows 7, which was fine for about 2 years then started randomly turning on and shutting down, whenever it was plugged in, which was very annoying but manageable. And all it did was sit at either the lack screen or Startup repair, the former shutting out user input, and the latte continually failing to fix anything or even send any diagnostic data due to the iffy WiFi card (which I have since replaced with a much better USB WiFi dongle).

Now it gives me lights 1 and 3 and a blue light power button. But I have changed and reinstalled the ram several times, and removed and reinstalled the CMOS battery, so I am utterly losing my patience.

Should I attempt to fix it in its current state, buy new parts for the 10 year old pc (turning 11 this October) or would it be best to start afresh with a new pc?

I also run a 2011 Seagate Barracuda 500gb and a 2011 Samsung Pro128 12gb as the boot drive, along with a 2019 Gigabyte Radeon RX570 graphics card.

The pc is easily powerful enough for anything I throw at it, which is older and smaller games (notably Rigs of Rods and Roblox), Web browsing or general processing tasks such as word or A7dacity occasionally.

Again, should i get rid or keep with it?

Thanks a bunch,

Alister

bradthetechnut · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't just re-insert the old battery, but instead, try replacing with a new one.

Try replacing the RAM with new. A-Tech is a brand I use and has a lifetime warranty.

I used to have a 755. It gave me the RAM error code, but reseating only worked for so long, so I upgraded the RAM with new and it worked great.

AlisterBakerLowe · Accepted Answer

Oh sorry I forgot to mention that I got it working yesterday. The battery wasn't a problem, but after some experimenting I have concluded that there are problems with DIMM slots 1 and 3 on the board. Whenever I tried my working and tested ram modules in those, it came with the error, but booted literally perfectly if I put the ram modules in slots 2 and 4.

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hello, I see you are looking for technical assistance. If you need our help, you can start a private message with us and we will be happy to assist you.

MitchSaVi123 · Answer

I also use a 2011 Seagate Barracuda 500gb and a 2011 Samsung Pro128 12gb as boot drives, along with a 2019 Gigabyte Radeon RX570 graphics card. I have no problem using the PC for older and smaller games (notably Rigs of Rods and Roblox), Web browsing and general processing tasks such as Word or Audacity.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Glad you got it working.

The only way to fix DIMM slots, granted there's no dirt or bent pins, is to replace the MB. MB's on eBay for older Optiplex's are typically quite reasonably priced if you wanted to go that route. But if you're only using 2 DIMMS, it sounds like you're all set.

MADFRYER · Answer

Hi alister this is my first post too i also have an optiplex - i love the old ones mines is a 3020 my husband has the same as yours a mini tower beautiful it was an i5 he replaced everything but like you it started running slow at first things started jamming he changed the storage memory slots but to no avail tried everything the only thing left is the motherboard so he is getting anew computer and will take most of the inners out of the one he has a crying shame this is my second optiplex i love them the only difference between mine and his i turn mine off every night nothing is on standby even the web router i turn off because i have had problems in the past with laptops as items come down off the web and do damage literally broke my other two could not get into it thinking the great thing about desktops as opposed to laptops  is you can shut them down and add and upgrade so easily therefore surely a new case with motherboard i mean you can still put your storage into it and your graphics card - a bit like moving house i know you would like an answer im looking round the web for them and quite a number of people have the same issue sorry i cant be of more help

AlisterBakerLowe · Answer

Oh I know but this is the last thing I want to do.

I've figured that a new motherboard would need new RAM and new CPU, which is a lot of work for something that doesn't mean the world to me.

It's outdated anyway, so I'd probably replace most of the components or even the entire PC in the case of an upgrade. I just like trying to fix things.

bradthetechnut · Answer

If you got a used/refurbished 990 MB, you could reuse your RAM and CPU.

If you're thinking of an aftermarket MB, you would have to do some modifying to get everything working. Also remember the rear ports are attached to the MB and the cut out in the rear of the case is meant for that specific layout.

Optiplex Desktops

Is it completely broken?

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