Dell Technologies Server Troubleshooting Guide

Troubleshooting a No POST situation

Power On Self Test (POST) is a series of diagnostic tests that run automatically when you turn on your system. POST tests the memory, the keyboard and the disk drivers. If the test is successful, the computer boots itself, else the system displays an LED error or an error message in the LCD panel. This situation is called No POST.

1. Check the LCD screen or LED indicators for any error messages.
   For information about the event and error messages generated by the system firmware and agents that monitor system components, go to QRL > Look Up > Error Code, type the error code, and then click Look it up..
2. Ensure that the server is turned on by verifying that the power supply LED glows green.
   If the power LED is lit amber, see system health and system id indicator codes topic.
3. Remove all the Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from the server.
   1. Turn off the server.
   2. Disconnect all cables from the server including the power cable.
   3. Press and hold the power button for 60 seconds to discharge.
   4. Reconnect the power and video cable only.
   5. Turn on the server.
      If the server fails to POST, proceed to the next step.
4. Disconnect all cables from the server including the power cable.
5. Bring the server to the minimum configuration for the POST.
   NOTE:Minimum to POST configuration is the config that has the minimum components required to complete POST. Typically, the minimum to POST configuration for rack servers is PSU1, CPU1, memory module in A1 slot, and the default riser without expansion cards. For tower servers, the minimum to POST configuration is PSU1, CPU1, and memory module in A1 slot. For modular servers, the minimum to POST configuration is CPU1 and memory module in A1 slot.
6. Reconnect the power and video cable only.
7. Attempt to POST the server.
   1. If the server completes the POST, turn off the server and plug the components one at a time until the defective part is found.
      If you identify the defective part, contact Dell Technical Support with information about the defective part.
   2. If you are unable to identify the defective part, go to the next step.
8. Disconnect the hard drives, optical drives, and tape drives from the server and attempt to POST the server.
   1. If the server completes the POST, plug the hard drives back one at a time until the defective hard drives are found.
      If you identify the defective part, contact Dell Technical Support with information about the defective part.
   2. If you are unable to identify the defective part, go to the next step.
9. Reseat the control panel connector.
10. Ensure that the processors and heat sinks are seated correctly.
11. If the server does not complete the POST, clear the NVRAM using the jumper.
    For more information , see your system’s Owner’s manual at PowerEdge manuals.