How to Troubleshoot Desktop Motherboard Issues Using M-BIST

Summary: The following article provides information about how Dell desktop computers use the M-BIST to troubleshoot motherboard issues.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

M-BIST Diagnostics Built into Dell Desktop Computers

 

What is M-BIST?

Motherboard - Built-In Self-Test (M-BIST) is the diagnostic tool that improves the diagnostic accuracy of motherboard Embedded Controller (EC) failures.

The M-BIST feature runs automatically on boot in the latest generation of desktops. It does not contain some features that you might find in the laptop M-BIST.

Note: The M-BIST originated on Dell Notebook computers. However, since April 2021 it has started to be built into Desktop computers as well.
 

M-BIST Desktop Features:

  • There is no Internal Keyboard on a desktop - so the test runs automatically on boot.
  • There is no LCD so no LCD BIST test is run.
  • It does not run a Hot Key test.
  • It has V-Tree.
  • It checks the CPU Platform Environment Control Interface (PECI) on-die digital thermal sensors on every boot, when it detects the CPU is present.
Note: M-BIST evaluates the health condition of the motherboard. It is designed to operate when there is no video, fan, or hard disk drive spin-up. These symptoms are termed No Power, No Video, or Dead System.
 

Supported Systems:

  • All Inspiron desktop models since the Inspiron 3891 desktop that was released in April 2021 has this feature built-in.
  • All Vostro desktop models since the xx90 series of desktops that were released in April 2021 has this feature built-in.
  • All OptiPlex models since the xx90 series of desktops that were released in April 2021 has this feature built-in.
  • All Precision fixed workstation models since the xx50 series of Towers that were released in April 2021 has this feature built-in.


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Affected Products

Inspiron 3891, OptiPlex 5090 Tower, OptiPlex 5090 Micro, OptiPlex 5090 Small Form Factor, OptiPlex 7090 Tower, OptiPlex 7090 Micro, OptiPlex 7090 Small Form Factor, Precision 3450 Small Form Factor, Precision 3650 Tower, Vostro 3690, Vostro 3890 , Vostro 5890 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000186628
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 30 Jul 2025
Version:  8
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