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Dell optiplex GX270 wont boot floppy drive clicks on push of the start button with both the light in the power button flashing and the light to the right of it flashing green.

the screen does not even come on.

I disconnect5ed everything including taking out the video card. when i would turn on the computer nothing happens except the lights flash and there is a very faint humming size but that is more than likely just the fan. The green light on the motherboard is always on. Even if have just the HDD connected and boot up nopthing hapopens. Once i reconnect the floppy this 'clicking' sound starts. Its as if it is trying to reads something that isnt there. BUt even if i put a floppy disk in there before pressing the power button it doesnt make any difference.

Anyone any ideas?

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Dani AI

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Two fault domains should be treated separately but methodically: the floppy-drive's mechanical noise at power-up, and the discrete video card not initializing after the board/PSU work already done. A clear isolation-first approach narrows the root cause quickly and avoids replacing parts unnecessarily.

Floppy checks — recommended sequence: remove both the floppy power and data cables and power the system to confirm the noise stops. Swap the 34‑pin ribbon and the drive's Molex power lead (a bad cable or reversed orientation is common). If the drive still clicks when connected, test that drive in a known-good PC or fit a known-good drive in this system; clicking usually indicates a failing mechanism. Confirm BIOS drive detection is disabled or set correctly while testing. If the drive fails in another machine, replacement is the realistic next step.

Discrete-GPU checks — follow a minimal-configuration test flow. Verify the card is fully seated and the slot type (PCI/AGP/PCI‑E) matches the motherboard. Set the BIOS primary video/init display to the expansion slot (or disable onboard video), then boot with only the discrete card and monitor attached. Per , use Safe Mode to install or clean-install vendor drivers once the OS boots; also remove any stale display-adapter entries in Device Manager first. If the card never initializes, swap it into another known-good machine (or try a different card in this PC) to isolate card vs. slot/BIOS fault. Check for any auxiliary power connector on the card and ensure it is plugged if present.

Other useful checks: attach a system speaker to catch POST beeps, reseat RAM, clear CMOS, inspect the board for bulging capacitors or shorts, and verify PSU rails with a meter or a known-good PSU. Change one variable at a time and record results to converge on the failing component.

Member Avatar for mechbas

Psu?

Member Avatar for maximusimo

Psu?

Hi, could been the psu from the outset but Dell replaced the motherboard for me, free of charge too and it was out of warranty, as i thought thats what the prob was. Apparently there is trouble with that line of boards. Anyway the problem wasnt solved but the clicking did stop. So i went and bought a Dell PSU as couldnt find an alternative, for which i was ripped off by the way £64+VAT. Anyway, this solved the problem in one way - the computer now works but only with the onboard video, my video card doesnt seem to work! Would this just involve installing the drivers for said board?

Well i would do this only I have no idea what kind of card it is. i know its a Nvidia with model number P118 and also has this other number as well: D33088

this is what it looks like and these numbers can be seen on the board in the pics:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j300/maximusimo/nvidia2.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j300/maximusimo/nvidia1.jpg

would installing the drivers, if i can find them, solve the problem? Any idea what kind of card this is?

Member Avatar for mechbas

U might try disableling the video in the bios, THEN boot up to safe mode & install the drivers.

Member Avatar for maximusimo

but will the comp recognise the video when booted up in safe mode if i have disabled it in the bios? Doesnt make sense for some reason.

Member Avatar for mechbas

I'm assuming that what you're trying to do is install a VGA card instead of using the onboard video system.
In that case disable the onboard in the bios will disable that one, then power down, unplug the PSU, install the VGA card, connect the monitor cable to the installed card then power back up to safe mode, install the enhanced mode drivers, reboot into normal OS mode. You should be happily on your way then. Unless you have a setup for multiple monitors that is.

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