It is NOT from the hard drive. For "some" reason, Dell decided to use clicks instead of beeps for bios error codes on this device. Would like to know why, but that is for another day. It cost me some time because I just "assumed" it was hard drive clicks. It turns out, it is 1 long click, followed by 7 short clicks, a pause then repeats.
I bought a new hard drive, cloned the old one (it runs just fine) and got the same clicks. The problem ONLY occurs at boot up, once the system actually boots (may take many power off/on operations) then the PC runs just fine. In fact, I installed Windows 10 after this problem started. I also installed all Dell drivers (some were updated) and re-flashed bios (it was the same.)
I also discovered if you just put the PC to sleep instead of shutting down, it comes back every time. Doesn't have to start from scratch. Rom? This thing is 4 months out of warranty.
I'm struggling to not be negative here. I KNOW for a fact Dell used clicks with this model/MoBo. Ever heard of a hard drive that failed with 1 long click followed by 7 short clicks, then a pause, then a repeat over and over of the same sequence. Or taking such a hard drive, replacing it with a brand new 1 TB hard drive and getting exactly the same sequence of "clicks"
Whoever responded to this knows even less about what Dell did with this model than I do, and that is pretty low. For instance, 7 clicks (beeps?) means cpu failure, right?
The issue description is confusing part here. As you have mentioned the system is not beeping but clicking , also the system is working fine as per your description. Of course yes, 7 beeps indicates a processor failure, to be more precise, cpu connector on motherboard failure (motherboard to be replaced) . But as you mentioned its a clicking sound but not beep and also the system is working fine, sorry to say , but we are not able to understand if you are looking for a repair or an explanation for the click sound. if possible please record the sound and send it to us via PM by clicking on my name in blue and then select send a private message.
If the CPU connector is faulty the system will not post, hope you got my point.
Apologies if we are still not on the same page with you
Client gave me laptop that was 'dead' would not boot. Only report was clicks, gray screen.
It booted up fine on my test bench. I ran Dell diagnostics, all tested out. I told him, no problem found.
He called back, said still same problem. On site, I got clicks that sounded like hard drive failing clicks. I ordered new hard drive. I could access the hard drive from my server with no problems reported. Got new drive, cloned old to new with no problems, booted with new drive, same clicks.
Told client to use sleep mode instead of shutting down. That seems work, problem only occurs when booting up from power off.
What bothers me most, is, it seems even Dell folks don't know that this piece of sh*t they sold uses clicks instead of beeps to record errors. I've heard the clicks and I've found a few others who report the same.
What I am looking for is for someone from Dell to explain this clicking error from this motherboard that no one seems to have in stock and even Dell folks cannot explain.
DELL-Hemalatha
4 Operator
•
2.8K Posts
0
April 13th, 2016 21:00
Hi Cabatlanta
Thanks for writing to us.
Do you mean there is an intermittent clicking sound from hard drive.
If yes its a mechanical issue and we can get the drive replaced should the system be under warranty.
Await your reply.
Regards
DELL-Hemalatha
4 Operator
•
2.8K Posts
0
April 14th, 2016 20:00
Hi
we are awaiting your response still
DELL-Hemalatha
4 Operator
•
2.8K Posts
0
April 14th, 2016 22:00
Hi, nice to hear from you.
Strange, cos this machine has the beep indicators but not clicks. In fact none of the Dell machine have click indicators.
Do you mean the system resumes from sleep by itself?? Was it the same with previous windows as well??
Regards
cabatlanta
4 Posts
0
April 14th, 2016 22:00
I'm sorry, I thought I explained it better.
It is NOT from the hard drive. For "some" reason, Dell decided to use clicks instead of beeps for bios error codes on this device. Would like to know why, but that is for another day. It cost me some time because I just "assumed" it was hard drive clicks. It turns out, it is 1 long click, followed by 7 short clicks, a pause then repeats.
I bought a new hard drive, cloned the old one (it runs just fine) and got the same clicks. The problem ONLY occurs at boot up, once the system actually boots (may take many power off/on operations) then the PC runs just fine. In fact, I installed Windows 10 after this problem started. I also installed all Dell drivers (some were updated) and re-flashed bios (it was the same.)
I also discovered if you just put the PC to sleep instead of shutting down, it comes back every time. Doesn't have to start from scratch. Rom? This thing is 4 months out of warranty.
cabatlanta
4 Posts
0
April 14th, 2016 23:00
I'm struggling to not be negative here. I KNOW for a fact Dell used clicks with this model/MoBo. Ever heard of a hard drive that failed with 1 long click followed by 7 short clicks, then a pause, then a repeat over and over of the same sequence. Or taking such a hard drive, replacing it with a brand new 1 TB hard drive and getting exactly the same sequence of "clicks"
Whoever responded to this knows even less about what Dell did with this model than I do, and that is pretty low. For instance, 7 clicks (beeps?) means cpu failure, right?
DELL-Hemalatha
4 Operator
•
2.8K Posts
0
April 15th, 2016 20:00
Hi Nice to hear from you.
The issue description is confusing part here. As you have mentioned the system is not beeping but clicking , also the system is working fine as per your description. Of course yes, 7 beeps indicates a processor failure, to be more precise, cpu connector on motherboard failure (motherboard to be replaced) .
But as you mentioned its a clicking sound but not beep and also the system is working fine, sorry to say , but we are not able to understand if you are looking for a repair or an explanation for the click sound.
if possible please record the sound and send it to us via PM by clicking on my name in blue and then select send a private message.
If the CPU connector is faulty the system will not post, hope you got my point.
Apologies if we are still not on the same page with you
cabatlanta
4 Posts
0
April 16th, 2016 01:00
Okay, from the start.
Client gave me laptop that was 'dead' would not boot. Only report was clicks, gray screen.
It booted up fine on my test bench. I ran Dell diagnostics, all tested out. I told him, no problem found.
He called back, said still same problem. On site, I got clicks that sounded like hard drive failing clicks. I ordered new hard drive. I could access the hard drive from my server with no problems reported. Got new drive, cloned old to new with no problems, booted with new drive, same clicks.
Told client to use sleep mode instead of shutting down. That seems work, problem only occurs when booting up from power off.
What bothers me most, is, it seems even Dell folks don't know that this piece of sh*t they sold uses clicks instead of beeps to record errors. I've heard the clicks and I've found a few others who report the same.
What I am looking for is for someone from Dell to explain this clicking error from this motherboard that no one seems to have in stock and even Dell folks cannot explain.