Question

Problems with Dell Optiplex GX270 boot

Asked by: richardp1971

When booting the computer turns itself off a few times before giving a message saying the sysytem failed booting at checkpoint [EMem]. If i persist in turning it on and off it will boot up Windows but it can just turn off at any time. I've checked that there is nothing loose from the hardware to the motherboard, anybody got any clues?

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Asked On
2006-02-22 at 03:12:55ID21746628
Tags

dell

,

gx270

,

checkpoint

,

emem

Topic

General Computer Systems

Participating Experts
6
Points
50
Comments
20

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Answers

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2006-02-22 at 03:40:30ID: 16017705

failing power supply

 

by: jvuzPosted on 2006-02-22 at 03:44:53ID: 16017720

Can you try with another power supply?

 

by: richardp1971Posted on 2006-02-22 at 03:58:27ID: 16017784

never thought of that - ill give it a go !

 

by: bhanukir7Posted on 2006-02-22 at 04:22:56ID: 16017940

hi there

try to check what the four small leds on the backpanel of ur computer tower showing i mean the leds
with abcd written. the colour code should be green,green,green,green for a normal booting. if the colour code is different it has different problesm. like if the colour code is yygy it is a problem with your cpu. you can check the documentation that was shipped with the system or can visit www.support.dell.com and find the led code status

bhanu

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-02-22 at 04:24:41ID: 16017950

you can also test your Ram with :   http://www.memtest.org/      

 

by: JRHITPosted on 2006-02-22 at 04:40:22ID: 16018036

Boot with your dell resource CD, goto a custom test, and run all.

You will find out whats wrong.

 

by: maramomPosted on 2006-02-22 at 06:49:21ID: 16019388

I agree with Nobus..it sounds like faulty ram.

The Ultimate Boot CD has several diagnostic tools, including memtest:
www.ultimatebootcd.com

 

by: richardp1971Posted on 2006-02-22 at 07:00:23ID: 16019515

Tried differernt power supply - still happens.
Run memtest - again everything seems fine !

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2006-02-22 at 07:02:23ID: 16019540

OK..

RESEAT everything that attaches to the system board

 

by: jvuzPosted on 2006-02-22 at 07:05:58ID: 16019578

I googled a bit and rahter often there seems to be a problem with the mobo of the dell optiplex. Did you buy it straight from Dell or via a shop?

 

by: richardp1971Posted on 2006-02-22 at 07:10:00ID: 16019623

comps reseated - no change !
bought straight from dell !

 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-02-22 at 07:16:48ID: 16019710

check your cpu temp, maybe it gets too high !
and check if all fans are running

 

by: bhanukir7Posted on 2006-02-22 at 07:54:06ID: 16020137

hey richardp

can u tell me whats the led status as the led status indicates what exactly or likely problem u have

thanks
bhanu

 

by: maramomPosted on 2006-02-22 at 07:55:42ID: 16020157

take the mobo out of the case, lay it on cardboard (non-conductive), start with minimum components, cpu/fan, one stick ram, video
disconnect the power switch and hotwire it to start (by shorting the switch pins on mb)
if it looks good, add hard drive, if still good add each component one at a time (power off, of course) until you find the snag
if everything works well at this point and stops when you return it to the case....it's the power switch circuit or a short or grounding issue.

 

by: maramomPosted on 2006-02-22 at 08:00:07ID: 16020194

oops, forgot to list the PSU for test bed...
if you have problems with the bare essentials, you've narrowed it down to those components, and can test them on another board to see if there's a problem, if no problem, it points to the motherboard.

 

by: richardp1971Posted on 2006-02-23 at 02:30:43ID: 16027493

Thanks everyone -

Tried new mother board and appears to be ok !  Points given to first to mention mb !

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2006-02-23 at 02:46:27ID: 16027549

it should've been a split as we all chipped in leading to the final answer.

 

by: jvuzPosted on 2006-02-23 at 02:51:45ID: 16027573

richardp1971 , if you want to split the points, ask a 0-points question to community support

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/

It's fine by me.

Jvuz

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2006-02-23 at 02:56:19ID: 16027597

considering the total points...you can have them... it was the recognition of diagnosing and asking questions that took pieces of a puzzle to formulate a solution.  Each comment built upon the previous,which led to the conclusion.

 

by: jvuzPosted on 2006-02-23 at 03:00:17ID: 16027623

Yeah, I know, thanx,

Jvuz

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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