On Thu, 23 Dec 2004, Peter Rundle wrote:
> Sluggers,
>
> I've just inherited two Dell Optiplex GX1 400Mhz boxen which are surplus to
> some corporations requirements because they won't run XP. So obviously we put
> Linux on them right? Trouble is that they won't boot.
>
> I was told that they were perfectly functional and even saw one running
> before
> accepting them. Both have exactly the same problem which is that on power on
> the CPU fan and mother board power up, the disk does a quick head movement
> and
> the cd-rom clicks, but then nothing. No video, no disk activity, no floppy
> access no num lock/caps lock light on the keyboard (though the num caps and
> scroll lights flash just once on power-on). Tried alternate screens keyboards
> etc, to no avail. Removed the memory, and they beeb loudly in complaint, but
> putting it back, reseating the CPU etc, nothing. Tried putting in an
> alternate
> PCI video card, but no difference. It seems to be more than a component
> failure, it's as if the boot sequence is in some sort of disabled state.
>
> So something happened to both of them between me picking them up and taking
> them home, unless my house is in some sort of Optiplex free zone in
> cyberspace
> :-( I can't think of anything else that might work.
>
> I've looked on the net and it appears that this problem occurs when
> overclocking them, but I haven't done that.
>
> Cluesticks or are they destined for the junk yard?
Certainly is frustrating. I'd suggest maybe a power supply problem - it
may be marginal and just work enough at the office. Try disconnecting
every peripheral external & internal except for video card, monitor &
keyboard, remove all other cards, also drop by your local service station
& blast the dust out with their air compressor - especially the power
supply. Check the air compressor doesen't include water by squirting your
hand first.
The other thing to remember is it's likely to be something simple like
vibration caused something to become unplugged or things like the reset
switch got jammed on.
Also... if the onboard CMOS battery is flat it's possible it's scrambled
the settings and the BIOS is confused enough to not start (usually they
report CMOS checksum failure though) - you could try the bios reset jumper
too - search google for the motherboard model number or Dell's support
site even just to get the jumper info if it's not printed on the PCB.
If you have other working PC's try swapping bits one at a time to
determine the problem.
--
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Some people actually read these things it seems.
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