Dell Optiplex 760 USFF problems

[adamf]

A couple of weeks ago we ordered a new Dell Optiplex 760 USFF machine, straight out of the box we noticed a problem whereby the Dell logo screen doesn't show, you can press F2 to access the BIOS but you can't see anything, likewise if you try and run the 32-bit Diags - nothing.

To cut a long story short, Dell have replaced the motherboard in the machine twice and the same problem occurs everytime - finally they have agreed to replace it.

We have also ordered 30 of the same machine for a room re-fit starting in Jan. Given what happened we decided to try 2 just to satisfy ourselves that the problem was a one-off. Sadly not, we get exactly the same problem.

Has anybody else got any of these, either the USFF or other chassis types and had any problems with them. I've already spoken to Dell Business Esculations Team and they tell me they are not aware of any known issues

[Michael]

The fact you've turned on two brand new machines and they behave the same way is a little worrying. It is possible to get a bad batch of machines.

You need to report the problem ASAP and get names of people you're talking to. It's very easy for companies to deny all knowledge of a problem, but three machines all behaving the same way is not a good sign. I'm guessing they're completely unusable too? It's just as bad as buying a car with no wheels!

[CESIL]

We have got three here that are brand new and worked fine out of the box...

The only way they differ from all our other systems is they use a digital cable for video output.

Could your problem be to do with the monitor?

[adamf]

Def not the monitor as it works fine for every other machine - plus when you get to the XP log on box the video appears.

[Michael]

Could your problem be to do with the monitor?

Possible but unlikely. I think something must be appearing on screen as they adamf can get into the BIOS, but it's possible the BIOS itself is corrupt. This would create a whole range of problems and could be one of the reasons Dell replaced the motherboard. The other could simply be a faulty graphics adapter, but you could easily plug in a card to eliminate that problem.

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If you just switch the machines on adamf (without pressing any keys), what's the hard drive activity like? Is there any activity?

[Michael]

Def not the monitor as it works fine for every other machine - plus when you get to the XP log on box the video appears.

So are you saying everything is pretty much blank until you get to the XP logon screen? So you don't see the XP logo loading or anything else?

[adamf]

So are you saying everything is pretty much blank until you get to the XP logon screen? So you don't see the XP logo loading or anything else?

Correct.

[Michael]

After the machine POSTs, if you press F8 repeatedly do you see the menu screen?

[adamf]

Nope. No menu screen for selecting safe mode etc...

[adamf]

Possible but unlikely. I think something must be appearing on screen as they adamf can get into the BIOS, but it's possible the BIOS itself is corrupt. This would create a whole range of problems and could be one of the reasons Dell replaced the motherboard. The other could simply be a faulty graphics adapter, but you could easily plug in a card to eliminate that problem.

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If you just switch the machines on adamf (without pressing any keys), what's the hard drive activity like? Is there any activity?

You can't plug a graphics card into the USFF machines. There is HDD activity when you power up.

[SYSMAN_MK]

Does th monitor have dual inputs (DVI/VGA)? Could be that the monitor is set to auto detect and is taking it's time to select the correct input.

[adamf]

Does th monitor have dual inputs (DVI/VGA)? Could be that the monitor is set to auto detect and is taking it's time to select the correct input.

The monitor we are using with doesn't have dual inputs - only VGA

[Michael]

I wonder if it's anything to do with the screens displaying a 640 x 480 resolution? Have you tried a completely different screen? Maybe even a CRT if you one lying around?

[adamf]

We've solved it! We usually ghost, troubleshoot etc the machines using a monitor we've got on our test bench - it's only got a VGA connector so we use a DVI->VGA cable. This works for every other model of Dell Optiplex we have be it GX620, 745 and 755 but not for the 760. We've just plugged in the monitor that came with the system using DVI->DVI and it works!

It never occured to me that it wouldn't work! At least it's solved.!

It's something to do with VGA as the monitor that came with it has VGA but it also doesn't work on that!

[Bluesday]

We have been having nothing but problems with the monitors going into standby mode and staying there. The only way to get them to come back on is you need pull the power cord from the monitor. If you take the monitor and plug it into a different box (OptiPlex755) they work fine. The problem is spuratic and can not be easlily repeated. On some boxes it happens almost everday while on others it might be once a week or every 10 days. It doesn't just happen on startup, it doesn't just happen if you logoff and leave the omputer on, it just happens when it feels like it.

Now on one of my 760 test boxes if you shut it down it will automaticly restart. The joy just continues with the 760s. We are trying to trade the 30 we have for the 755!