 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
DonnyG puzzled by Dell OptiPlex GX150 Setup
 |
HI everybody,
I am new to these forums. I have 30 years in the IT field starting as a IBM 1401 operator then programmer, then an application programmer, then a technical support person (both hardware and software) and have done both hardware and software maintenance on a number of hardware platforms (mainly mini and X86 PC) and software systems (Unix, Windows, Linux).
I have recently aquired 2 Dell Optiplex GX150 systems. I am not having much success in getting these systems setup. So I am seeking advice on my problem. Both systems when placed into Setup mode via F2 key go into setup mode ok, but when I attempt to navigate via arrow keys the system locks up after arrowing over the various settings and then powers down. I have been able to get the time and date set on 1 of the systems. BIOS on one is A09 and the other is A10. Resetting the BIOS to factory configuration and clearing the NVRAM does not change the basic problem. Disconnected all disk drives, changed keybords and mouse -- still same problem.
Booting to DOS from a floppy also runs for a short time and then system powers down.
Anybody have any ideas about how to fix this problem? I need help! :cry:
I am new to these forums. I have 30 years in the IT field starting as a IBM 1401 operator then programmer, then an application programmer, then a technical support person (both hardware and software) and have done both hardware and software maintenance on a number of hardware platforms (mainly mini and X86 PC) and software systems (Unix, Windows, Linux).
I have recently aquired 2 Dell Optiplex GX150 systems. I am not having much success in getting these systems setup. So I am seeking advice on my problem. Both systems when placed into Setup mode via F2 key go into setup mode ok, but when I attempt to navigate via arrow keys the system locks up after arrowing over the various settings and then powers down. I have been able to get the time and date set on 1 of the systems. BIOS on one is A09 and the other is A10. Resetting the BIOS to factory configuration and clearing the NVRAM does not change the basic problem. Disconnected all disk drives, changed keybords and mouse -- still same problem.
Booting to DOS from a floppy also runs for a short time and then system powers down.
Anybody have any ideas about how to fix this problem? I need help! :cry:
Hi,
I finally figured out what was going on with these two systems. The heatsinks on the CPUs were loose. Took them off, cleaned them up, thermal compounded them, re-installed heatsinks -- problem resolved. Apparently, the CPUs were going into thermal off mode while in Setup. I should have thought of this situation much quicker, however the CPUs and heatsinks are under a large fan shroud. Out of sight, out of mind! Thanks to anyone who looked at the problem report!
I finally figured out what was going on with these two systems. The heatsinks on the CPUs were loose. Took them off, cleaned them up, thermal compounded them, re-installed heatsinks -- problem resolved. Apparently, the CPUs were going into thermal off mode while in Setup. I should have thought of this situation much quicker, however the CPUs and heatsinks are under a large fan shroud. Out of sight, out of mind! Thanks to anyone who looked at the problem report!
•
•
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 283
Reputation: 
Solved Threads: 2
Posting Whiz in Training
Ah, so I suffered many a time. I always enforce checking the stability of heatsinks as the computer can and will shutdown to avoid damage. Good for you for checking that, nonetheless, and happy computing.
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by nickmakansi
my dell optiplex GX150 restarts as soon as it hits the windows xp screen. Any help or ideas?
Without more info that is all I can suggest to look at!
could be a couple of things could be fauty ram or video memory or just that cpu got damage when heatsink was loose, even though intel have the thermal diode that cut cpu off it only react to a certain amout of time on the pentium 3 they didn't inprove the system intill pentium 4 where it slow down operation.
but then agian did you in xp fresh on the system ?
but then agian did you in xp fresh on the system ?
It sounds like your problem is the ATX power supply, you can buy an ATX power supply tester to make sure or just buy another one replace it and make sure it works. You can also check the voltage of each wire to make sure they are +12, -12, +6, & -6. This should resolve your problem. Let me know.
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by DonnyG
HI everybody,
I am new to these forums. I have 30 years in the IT field starting as a IBM 1401 operator then programmer, then an application programmer, then a technical support person (both hardware and software) and have done both hardware and software maintenance on a number of hardware platforms (mainly mini and X86 PC) and software systems (Unix, Windows, Linux).
I have recently aquired 2 Dell Optiplex GX150 systems. I am not having much success in getting these systems setup. So I am seeking advice on my problem. Both systems when placed into Setup mode via F2 key go into setup mode ok, but when I attempt to navigate via arrow keys the system locks up after arrowing over the various settings and then powers down. I have been able to get the time and date set on 1 of the systems. BIOS on one is A09 and the other is A10. Resetting the BIOS to factory configuration and clearing the NVRAM does not change the basic problem. Disconnected all disk drives, changed keybords and mouse -- still same problem.
Booting to DOS from a floppy also runs for a short time and then system powers down.
Anybody have any ideas about how to fix this problem? I need help! :cry:
•
•
•
•
Originally Posted by awizzkid01
It sounds like your problem is the ATX power supply, you can buy an ATX power supply tester to make sure or just buy another one replace it and make sure it works. You can also check the voltage of each wire to make sure they are +12, -12, +6, & -6. This should resolve your problem. Let me know.
|
Similar Threads
- dell optiplex gx1 (Troubleshooting Dead Machines)
- Dell Optiplex GX150 rebooting itself (Troubleshooting Dead Machines)
Other Threads in the Troubleshooting Dead Machines Forum
- Previous Thread: Laptop locked
- Next Thread: Invisible hard drive on HP dv1625 laptop
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
You need to join our community in order to build your list of favorite forums. You can visit the forum index for a listing of all forums.
Latest Troubleshooting Dead Machines Posts
- Today's Posts
- Unanswered Threads
Related Forum Features
6 appliances beep bioslosingharddrived bioslosingsettings black bsod citrix cmosbattery compaq cpu dead delldimension4500 disk failure giving harddrive laptop linux mac mobo neverbuyinspiron1525 nodisplay nopower operatingsystemnotfound osnotfound pc power ram redhat screen supply ubuntu virtualbox virtualization virtualmachines vmware xen
