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Dell Optiplex GX520 random reboot and startup issues.

Dell Optiplex GX520 random reboot and startup issues. We have a PC that randomly will reboot and sometimes will not go through entire boot process. The reboot occurs at different times, sometimes using word, etc and sometimes right after you login it reboots. Sometimes it also hangs at startup. At the windows scrolling screen will show a faint display and it is frozen. Sometimes it boots up and is just black. The monitor and PC are both showing power. I have ran all the dell diagnosics and everything passed. Checked all possible virus issues. I am going to try reseating the RAM. Any thoughts.

Thanks

supportsolutions

Is this box setup to automatically restart on system failure in the startup and recovery options in system properties?
Anything of interest in the system log?

beepat

ASKER

yes I un-checked the auto restart box. Nothing in the event viewer.

Thanks

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tek-tlb

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chuckyh

Definitely do a chkdsk /f on the hard drive. You'll also want to check the power supply to make sure it's not overheated and the fan's spinning. Also check the MB for leaking or bulging capacitors.

ardrac

I have seen GX520's rebooting due to a mobile phone being near the unit. The phone does not need to ring for this to occur. Im not sure why but some type of interferance effects the power button.

PUNKY

I would open the case and inspect the motherboard see if any leaking, blown capacitors.

johnb6767

Can you upload the .dmp files from c:\windows\minidump to http://www.ee-stuff.com? We might be able to isolate the faulting module....

I dont believe it is a hidden folder.....

But you can always verify if it is even set to minidump...

Contro Panel>System>Advanced>Startup and Recovery, and make sure it is checked to do a small minidump, and note the directory...

If you cant boot it, then you can always use a BartPE CD to boot to an alternate OS, and retrieve the files.....

Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

marco_peereboom

Random reboots...
Have another GX520 around? Use it's memory in the box that is failing.
Still reboots? Probably either MOBO or NVRAM is failing. Or you have a serious registry failure.
No reboots? Get the memory from the failing PC in the other one and see what happens.

mkurtzhals

Yep swapped the RAM with my pc and still having those issues. I am guessing it is a mobo but Dell wont send the part until we try to reinstall windows. So first we have to image the pc set it up on another then try that.. Any more ideas or ways to convince DEll that it is a MOBO issue?

THnaks

johnb6767

Tell them there are no diagnostic lights on in the back....Usually gets thier attention....

Are they all green BTW?

mkurtzhals

I would but there are no dianostic lights on the back of a GX520

elijahvs

The diag lights are on the front of the case by the other led indicator lights.