problem starting - blinking amber light

Question

I have an optiplex 7050. It is running with ubuntu 22.04 (linux)

This machine has been working just fine but two days ago I turned it on and all I got was a blinking amber light (2 blinks and then 1 blink). I have no idea why. I have checked my output on two monitors - nothing. I have also checked the power switch and its properly installed - no loose wires.

When I press the button everything that whizzes and whirls does so so it has power. That is, however, just the initial thing that it does and then stops. The problem is that it stops.

I also pressed and held down the power switch for several minutes. It didn't stop the blinking, etc.

Thoughts?

redxps630 · Answer

try replace cmos battery w a brand new one and then clear cmos settings via motherboard jumper.

jwhitt12 · Answer

@redxps630​  Thank you for the reply...... Just making sure.  The battery is the coin battery on the motherboard (only battery on it). I took it out and replaced it.  It was empty.  It was a literal bitch to get out and replace but I got it done (never had any problem with them before) My problem is that I am not sure about the 'via motherboard jumper' which is #23 on the motherboard picture.  Its between two things to hold cards and is a 6 prong jumper thing that has 1 thing in it and 1, 3, 5 along side of it that labels each two prongs.  There is one 2 pin jumper in it on '3' (in the middle). The problem is that I have no idea what to do with it next.

jwhitt12 · Answer

Thank you for the reply. I thought I had answered but cannot find it so I will try again.

I replaced the coin battery. Also checked it and it was dead.

I am not sure about the motherboard jumper. That is, I think, the CMOS_CLR/Password/Service_Mode Jumper which is 6 pairs of two prongs each. Each prong is numbered. There is a jumper in the 3/4 pair.

I have no idea what to do next.

redxps630 · Answer

CMOS_CLR jumper stands for clear cmos follow the silkscreen instruction on the motherboard for which 2 pins are to clear which 2 are default normal

redxps630 · Answer

5-6 pin short: cmos reset  open: default

bradthetechnut · Answer

If it helps:  How to Perform a BIOS or CMOS Reset and Clear the NVRAM on Dell Computers

jwhitt12 · Answer

@redxps630​  OK, did as you said (I think) .  I unplugged the power.   I moved the jumper to 5/6.  plugged it back in.  Tried to start it and no go.  I then unplugged it again and put it back to 3/4 and plugged it back in and it took right off .  Its currently running! (and its not complaining!) Not sure if I did the jumper thing right but, again, its running! Thank you!!

redxps630 · Answer

you did it.

jwhitt12 · Answer

happened again (I think it was a bad cr2032 as it was dead) Anyway, I tried to do that again with a new battery (sure this time). Anyway...

I pulled the power, put in the new battery, moved the jumper to 5/6 plugged it back in. The fan turned on and stayed on. Then I pulled the jumper, then plugged in the power. The fan started and just kept on going. Did not press the start button. So, I pulled the power again, plugged the jumper into 3/4, plugged in the power and the fan started up again and kept on going. I did this stuff several times. I pressed the start button to see if it made any difference (it didn't). All of the above happened with the top off. Just now I pressed the start button - nothing. Pressed the button again and, this time the button started blinking again (2 then 1 blink). I pressed the button and kept it pressed for a while - still blinking.

With the top on. Pulled the power (wanted to make sure where the jumper was - it was at 3/4), put on the top, plugged in the power. Fan turned for about 2 seconds and stopped. Then I pushed the button - nothing. Then I pushed and held the button down for a bit and I got the 2 then 1 blink again and the fan is not turning.

Thoughts? (hope this shows up for you - if I don't hear from you in a couple of days I will send it as a new missive.

jwhitt12 · Answer

Can somebody tell me if this has even been seen (its been up for 5 days with no reply).   If not then I will re-post my last in a new posting.

jwhitt12 · Answer

I will mark this as solved. I just kept swapping out batteries, etc. and pushing buttons and, now, this machine is actually working! I have no idea why but suspect a battery problem plus the battery enclosure and, it seems, I finally did it correctly.

I give thanks to those that helped.

bradthetechnut · Answer

I'm glad you got it working.  I didn't have an answer for your 11-11-23 post, and possibly redxps also.  I needed redxps to answer because while I'm familiar with the jumper and resetting BIOS, but not in all instances, like where numbers are involved, like 3-4 and 5-6.  I am familiar with RTCRST, CMCLR, and PSWRD.

Optiplex Desktops

problem starting - blinking amber light

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