Optiplex 990 won't boot

Question

I bought a USB speaker from Amazon and plugged it into my Optiplex 990. When I tried to boot fault lights 1 and 2 appeared and the power button was blue later the fault lights changed to 1 and 3 and stayed that way. It was working perfectly ok until I plugged in the speaker. I removed the speaker but it stayed in the fault lights 1 and 3 all that seems to happen is the fan starts but no boot or signal to my monitor. Any tips on where to start fault finding would be appreciated

Thanks

AlanF

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

It is true that removing CMOs battery overnight should have cleared CMOs. I would still try reset jumper any way. You can find a blue jumper on board near sata ports, and another two pin without jumper in proximity, according to this video in the right lower corner of board (play time 0:50). Usually blue jumper is on password. You move it to the empty two pins which are usually RTCRST.

The Real-Time Clock Reset (RTCRST) jumper helps reset or clear the NVRAM on the computer. The The NVRAM is cleared when the jumper is set to the closed position and turning on the computer for 10 seconds.

ColleenO · Answer

You can start here:

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000126021/a-reference-guide-to-the-dell-optiplex-diagnostic-indicators#2012_to_2020

There are two instances listed for 1 & 3 lights but the color of the power button will help narrow down where to start.

You can also try removing and reseating memory modules and/or cards.

AlanF578 · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for the reply I have 1&3 lit with a blue power button and I'm not sure what the suggested resolution means. As far as I can see I have no memory modules or cards plugged in. I have checked the battery and removed it for 15 minutes to reset it. I think the fault lights might be misleading as this only happened when I plugged the USB speaker in which must have been faulty and it has blown something somewhere.

Thanks

AlanF

redxps630 · Answer

Unplug the USB speaker and try clear CMOS settings of 990 by motherboard jumper reset.  You have a No POST situation so need to follow the standard procedures.  Also try replace CMOS battery with a new one which is inexpensive.

AlanF578 · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for the reply I couldn't find the jumper to reset the CMOS but I removed the battery overnight which should have done it and replaced with a new battery in the morning but its still the same.

Thanks

AlanF

AlanF578 · Answer

Hello,

I removed outlying equipment so I could get to the mother board and unplugged checked and re-plugged all sockets and cards and then reassembled although I didn't see anything wrong when I tried it again it began to boot up. I had to reinstall windows but things look good.

Thanks to all

AlanF

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Optiplex 990 won't boot

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