Dell Dimension E310 No Startup/No Beep

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starmint

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Jun 26, 2015
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This is an old computer I've had sitting around for a while, meaning to make it into a media server running Amahi. When I tried to start the computer however, I was getting some beeps and nothing on the screen. Figured out it was the memory so I removed both sticks, cleaned the slots with compressed air and reinserted them. No more beeps but the computer still won't start up.

I kept troubleshooting, using this forum and Dell manuals.

I removed all peripherals, reset the CPU, cleaned all the dust out, tried a different power supply that had a higher wattage, and removed the network PCI card. I have the main power connector securely inserted as well as the 4-pin CPU power connector. I double checked the CPU chip was put back in correctly. The BIOS battery has a little amber light besides it so I believe it's working alright.

The power button on the front stays amber and the diagnostics lights 1-4 all are lit. The manual says this indicates something is connected wrong "A device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed".

Now when I remove the memory and start-up, there are no beeps :/

If something is bad on the board I'd like to narrow it down to what it might be specifically so I can try and replace it.
Any ideas?
Not sure if this helps but here's the board:
tar24z.jpg
https://goo.gl/photos/LX1FKR8MjHmvEYJP8
5vmvyrs2b
https://goo.gl/photos/iSTfzH4RHVj7Cumy5
Here's the original power supply specs:
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https://goo.gl/photos/E38VyeMquPRCaym97
 
Solution
farnell121
I've had several of those series desktops and have had issues, some like what you are describing. First I would disconnect the power, pull out the CMOS battery, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to dissipate the capacitors. If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty I would start from the ground up.

Take the MotherBoard out, lay it on a static resistant surface, take out the CPU and check to make sure there are no damaged or bent pins in the socket. Install CPU with Heat Sink, one stick of RAM, Power Supply, and a keyboard and monitor. Try different RAM slots to try and produce any beeps. Lights on the board when PSU is plugged in is a semi-good sign, means the board is getting power.

If you have another CPU lying...
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norsestar

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Apr 8, 2014
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I'd start by replacing the battery: I've had a Dell desktop that wouldn't boot because the battery had gotten low but booted if I either took the battery out or replaced it with a fresh one.

When you removed and reinstalled the CPU, did you check for bent pins and use the correct amount of thermal paste? (Sorry to ask as it sounds like you know what you're doing but you didn't say anything about those items.) Have you tried it with the motherboard out of the case?
 
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farnell121

farnell121

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May 17, 2014
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I've had several of those series desktops and have had issues, some like what you are describing. First I would disconnect the power, pull out the CMOS battery, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to dissipate the capacitors. If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty I would start from the ground up.

Take the MotherBoard out, lay it on a static resistant surface, take out the CPU and check to make sure there are no damaged or bent pins in the socket. Install CPU with Heat Sink, one stick of RAM, Power Supply, and a keyboard and monitor. Try different RAM slots to try and produce any beeps. Lights on the board when PSU is plugged in is a semi-good sign, means the board is getting power.

If you have another CPU lying around I would try that as well, those boards only support Pentium 4's, very possibly Pentium D's, and maybe Core2 Duo's.

Let me know more after you diagnose!
 
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Solution
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starmint

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Jun 26, 2015
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It's ok, I only half-know what I'm doing! I'm missing something b/c I haven't gotten it to work yet. Anyways, I'll have to try the battery, I just didn't have a new one on hand to try.

I checked for the bent pins but honestly didn't know exactly what I was looking for, if one was bent it's possible I didn't know it was. As for the thermal paste the old stuff was there but I didn't know about replacing it.

I haven't gone as far as trying with the motherboard out of case, I didn't know it would make a difference?

Thanks for your help!
 
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starmint

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I knew I was missing something! I forgot to dissipate the capacitors when I pulled the batt out.

Norsestar mentioned pulling the motherboard out too, what does that do exactly? I'll try your other suggestions too and post what happens, thanks for the quick reply! I was getting pretty frustrated b/c this was supposed to be a simple one day proj and instead I've spent the whole day troubleshooting one huge problem. :/
 
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farnell121

farnell121

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Pulling the motherboard out gives you an overview of everything, you can spot mistakes, damage, or discrepancies much easier. It also lets you know the Motherboard isn't grounding out on anything. Trust me, I have messed around with a bunch of these exact Dell PC's and spent many a days starting something I was sure would take no time at all and be enjoyable, lol.
 
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starmint

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I haven't had time to try all the suggestions yet, however the was an interesting development. I (accidentally) left the 3v battery out of the board overnight. After the power went out and came back on, the computer started itself. When I found it, the power button was no longer amber, but green, and the diagnostic lights were no longer 1-4. Instead only 1, 3, 4 were lit. However this pattern is NOT in the troubleshooting manual.

Still no logo on starup. I tried a different HD in case that's what the diagnostic lights meant but still nothing.
 
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farnell121

farnell121

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If the computer is able to boot up, I'd still make sure it only has the bare minimum to plug into it. That Means no HDD, graphics card, etc. We just want to see if we can get into the BIOS or not (understand you stated that there is no boot logo).

Also, a quick google on Optiplex Light patterns: http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN284978/EN#2009_to_2012

1, 3, 4 [PRV] Indicates system activity preceding video initialization:
-Remove all external peripherals and any internal CRUs.
-If LEDs change, add parts back one at a time until fault re-occurs and contact your technical support.
-If fault remains the same with parts removed, contact your technical support.

1, 2, 3, 4 [STD] POST complete — OS hand-off complete:
-The Power On Self Test has passed all checks.
-Troubleshoot the HDD and the Operating System.

1, 2, 3 and 4 means the system is booting normally. 1, 3, and 4 means something wrong with Video. May not be a bad idea to try plugging up a GPU if you weren't already using one.
 
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starmint

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It's weird because two I saw two different meanings for the 1,2,3,4 lightup, one said there was a problem, one said there wasn't. Both were for the E310. Do you think the diagnosis you posted is correct then for that set of lights?
 
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farnell121

farnell121

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Check that link I sent you, that section is Diagnostics for OptiPlex 2005 through 2009. If the motherboard is from a year outside of that time frame you will need to look at the other sections. I just typed in your motherboard and the case looked like the ones for that revision. See if there is any dates printed on the motherboard just to make sure, but that time frame makes sense for LGA775 sockets.
 
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