Optiplex 9020 Sff beep code and light issue

Question

hi all  i install an os on a OptiPlex 9020 sff  after a while the power button blink amber the hdd light blink and i hear a beep  what could it beep the issue ?

bradthetechnut · Accepted Answer

If you haven't ripped off everything already... : )

With all external peripherals disconnected, with PC off, press the test button to see if it gives you a green light. If it does, that doesn't necessarily mean good PSU, but means internal peripherals are good. If not, disconnect internal peripherals one by one, testing for green light in between. For example, once it's down to the MB, and then you get a green light once it's disconnected, the MB is the problem. Just another way to verify it. If all internal peripherals give you the green light, then it could be that the PSU is a putts.

Dell BIST Test

JOcean · Answer

How many beeps do you hear and what sequence of lights do you see?

Pete the man · Answer

hello  one beep and at the same time the power light blink amber and the hdd light also  Thanks

speedstep · Answer

@Pete the man

Please press the blue Accept as Solution button below if this post answers your question.

Bad power supply, Bad Ram, etc. One beep indicates its trying to display an error.

The Diagnostic Lights should be showing a pattern.

THREE FOUR.png

ONE THREE PATTERN.png

bradthetechnut · Answer

Sorry to have to nitpick, but about how long is after a while? Does the machine run and boot normally before it does that?

Dell Optiplex Diagnostic Indicators When you scroll down and see the model years, yours was introduced in 2013.

It's normal for the HDD light to blink with activity. Just one beep doesn't seem to indicate anything. I checked the owner's manual. Optiplex 9020 Documentation

Blinking amber (no special sequence) can mean bad PSU. Solid amber can mean bad MB.

Since we're not getting an understandable error code, try replacing the size 2032 CMOS battery. A bad battery will cause all sorts of seemingly unrelated bizarre problems, including throwing confusing error codes.

After replacing the battery, hopefully then either the machine stays running or it gives an understandable error code.

The screengrab speedstep gave is for older model Optiplex's. The 9020 does not have the 1,2,3,4 error code system.

Pete the man · Answer

Hello  i will try first a cmos battery and let you know after  Thanks

Pete the man · Answer

Hello  i replace the cmos battery  there is no more beep but the power button blink 3 time then 2 time  fan spin on the cpu  Thanks

Pete the man · Answer

hello

i said 3 and 2 but in fact its 2 then 3 i see it could be a system board issue

very weird i was installing windows and did a reboot start check for updates then at some point i hear the beep

strange i will rip off everything and see if i can get away this error i check and it seems there is no blown capacitor

bradthetechnut · Answer

From the 9020 SFF Owner's Manual: First, before the above post, try reseating the RAM one by one first and see how that goes.  RAM error codes are somewhat common in this forum.

Pete the man · Answer

Hello  put a new cmos battery remove the beep  i get the code 2-3 i remove the ram stick  insert one by one following a restart each time no more code all is good  now

bradthetechnut · Answer

Good deal; glad to hear it!! : )

I had a 755 I had to replace the RAM in. Even after reseating one by one, it still eventually failed. After replacing RAM, all was good.

Crucial RAM comes highly recommended in this forum, but isn't the only good brand. I used and use A-Tech. A little less costly in somewhat older machines and also has a lifetime warranty. Something to consider if you replace the RAM.

Optiplex Desktops

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