Yatzari troubleshooting by Yatzari Landaverde

Processor

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:44:34 UTC

The part in the motherboard that does the thinking of the computer.

Troubleshooting step 1

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:46:26 UTC

We have to eliminate thermal checks. If there is a thermal problem make sure that the fan is working, the heat sink is not broken , and the thermal material is in place.

Troubleshooting step 2

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:48:20 UTC

We have to listen for beep codes. If the computer beeps, its sending a signal meaning that the processor is not the source of the problem, It has specific beep codes and make sure that the 2nd processor is working if needed.

memory

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:51:44 UTC

The part in the motherboard that stores all the files in the computer.

memory Troubleshooting step 1

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:52:50 UTC

make sure that the memory module is seated correctly on the motherboard and that it is correctly plugged in.

memory troubleshooting 2

landayat000 — 2017-10-12 12:54:02 UTC

If there is more than 1 memory module, remove all but the memory in the first slot.

If the error remains, swap out the other memory module into the same slot

Isolation step 1

landayat000 — 2017-10-13 12:13:26 UTC

Overheating and intermittent shut down may be caused when debris or dust clog the fan exhaust port. Especially in dusty environment.
Clean the clogged parts by blowing air directly into the fan exhaust port. The air must be sent directly into the heat sink vents,

Isolation step 2

landayat000 — 2017-10-13 12:30:59 UTC

If the system's thermal solution (heat sink) is disassembled, ensure that all thermal interface material is in place:

Between CPU and heat sink, ensure thermal grease or a thermal pad is in place.
Between the heat sink and the graphic processor unit (GPU) - Portables only,

Applying thermal gel

landayat000 — 2017-10-13 12:47:58 UTC

Replacing thermal material for desktops and servers

Dell supplies thermal grease and an alcohol swipe in service kits.
Use the alcohol swipe to clean the old material from the surface of processor and heat sink.
Use the syringe to apply thermal grease in a swirl pattern.

Desktop PSU BIST

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:06:47 UTC

Verify the external power source or wall socket.

Verify the intermediary or connecting devices such as extension cords or surge suppressors.
Most mainstream systems now include a power supply with the built in self-test (BIST) feature that drives new troubleshooting steps. Press and hold the test button to run the BIST.
Check the Built in Self-test (BIST) test button and LEDs on the Power Supply:

If Built in Self-Test fails, remove connectors from Power Supply and other components then rerun test.
If the LED glows, the attached connectors are shorted or the component attached to the connector is shorted.
If the LED does not glow, the Power supply is defective.

New PSU BIST for standalone PSU

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:16:31 UTC

Before you begin the PSU BIST, ensure that the AC power cord has been disconnected from the PSU.

Power off the system. Unplug AC power cord from PSU, wait for 15 seconds for PSU BIST function to reset. Disconnect PSU cables to the Mother board and other components. plug-in AC power cord to PSU to observe the LED status.

Isolation Steps 1: Verifying Power Source & Power Adapter

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:18:39 UTC

Verify the power source with another electrical device.
Verify that the power adapter works after unplugging it from the computer but keeping it plugged into the outlet.

Most power adapters have a simple diagnostic LED (Off, Green or Blue) for troubleshooting:

Green and Blue color indicates adapter is working fine.
If LED is off, reseat the connectors on the power adapter and the system and swap power cord with known good power adapter if possible.

Isolation Steps 2: Reseat

System Board

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:20:37 UTC

System board issues can be identified with the help of various indicators like diagnostics LEDs, power button LEDs and beep codes.
System board issues can be identified with the help of various indicators like diagnostics LEDs, power button LEDs and beep codes

Main Causes

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:23:15 UTC

BOOT MODE and SATA Operation options in the System BIOS are the primary reasons for a No Boot issue after system board replacement, provided there is no hardware failure with System Board and Hard Drive.

If the technician can access BIOS before parts replacement, it is advisable to note down current setting in BIOS on a piece of paper PRIOR to replacement. (Highly Recommended).
If the system is not functioning before System Board replacement and the technician cannot access the BIOS and retrieve the settings from the Original System Board, perform the steps provided in to following pages.

windows 7

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:25:40 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)

Boot Mode – Legacy

Secure Boot – Disabled

Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

Windows 8/8.1

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:26:36 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)

Boot Mode – UEFI

Secure Boot – Enabled (Change it to Disabled if it does not boot)

Legacy ROM – Enabled

Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

Windows 10

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:27:30 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)

Boot Mode – UEFI

Secure Boot – Off

Legacy ROM – Enabled

Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

Isolation Steps 1: Basic verification of power source and connections

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:29:44 UTC

Verify the external power source or wall socket.
Verify the intermediary or connecting devices such as extension cords or surge suppressors.
Swap the power cord/adapter and video input cable

Isolation Steps 2: Monitor Self-Test operation

Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove all video cables from the back of computer.
Turn on the monitor. The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains blue. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialog boxes shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.
This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

Table below shows possible messages you will see when the input cables are not connected.

Condition

| Message

Condition

| Message

Condition

| Message

Condition

| Message

Isolation Steps 3: Monitor B

Isolation Steps 2: Monitor Self-Test operation

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:31:39 UTC

Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove all video cables from the back of computer.
Turn on the monitor. The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains blue. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialog boxes shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.
This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

LCD BIST Through ePSA

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:33:55 UTC

Turn on the system.
At the Dell splash screen tap continuously on key until the one-time boot menu appears.
Using the down arrow key navigate to the Diagnostics option and press key, to start ePSA.
At about 15 seconds after starting the ePSA user will hear a beep and a question will appear on the system screen, if colors are displayed properly. Press key for No and fail ePSA to initiate LCD BIST. Flashing color patterns and loud beeps follow. This entire sequence takes less than 2 minutes, and the BIST portion itself lasts only a few seconds.
At the end of the test, a message appears: "Video – User reported the patterns were not displayed Continue testing?" This does not by itself mean the LCD failed; remember the BIST was deliberately activated by pressing N (No).

Isolation Steps 2: LVDS Cable

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:35:38 UTC

Prior to LCD replacement, always check LCD cables for good connection. If in doubt, re-seat and re-check.
If inverter or converter board is also dispatched, they should be tried prior to LCD replacement. (As with all multi-part dispatches, try and eliminate the least expensive commodities first.)
It is not typical to have multi-part failure. If the LCD BIST fails, do not replace the motherboard unless it also clearly fails a diagnostic test, or thorough logical troubleshooting identifies some other fault with it. Avoid replacing multiple parts unnecessarily.

Isolation Steps 3: External Monitor

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:42:16 UTC

Using an external monitor is not adequate troubleshooting; however, the use of an external monitor can help isolate a display problem.

If the problem resolves on the external display, it is likely the LCD.
If the problem persists on the external display, it is likely the video adapter.

LCD Troubleshooting Video

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:44:40 UTC

https://core-dell.bravais.com/api/dynamic/documentVersions/5573/files/75965/media/Project%20Development%20Workspace/Foundations/FN_TBL_1089-DCSE%20Client%20Level%201000%20Foundations%202017-Troubleshooting/Media/Image%20Files/Movie%20Files/video_618hP8Wd0H8_22_48_560x420.mp4

Source of Failure

landayat000 — 2017-10-16 12:45:56 UTC

If a problem occurs during POST, one or more of the following may indicate the source of failure:

Diagnostic LEDs on the back of a desktop system, or the top/front of a portable system.
Power LED on the front of a desktop or portable system is solid or flashing.
Beep codes emanating from the system speaker
Error messages displayed on the monitor

Examination of these indicators may allow immediate diagnosis of the problem.

Should the indicators be ambiguous or unlisted, you should still be able to use the Three-Step Troubleshooting Method to narrow down the list of possible causes.

Point of failure

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:19:51 UTC

The points of failure (POF), there are some essential POFs. These POFs are critical for the computer to POST.

You will need to use your logical thinking and troubleshooting skills to determine if you have a POST or a Power issue. Here we will discuss POST failures.

Nonessential POFs are not necessary for the computer to complete POST, but they can still cause a problem with POST. Nonessential components can be removed from the computer during POST troubleshooting.

Isolation steps : No Post

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:21:27 UTC

When troubleshooting a no-POST issue, or any other kind of computer issue, your goal is to isolate the problem to one thing. In the case of no POST issues, this will likely be one of the components below.

System Memory
Power
Nonessential components such as the hard drive, peripherals, and docking station.
Processor
System Board

Reseat: Memory modules and expansion cards should be reseated. This means that memory modules or expansion cards should be removed from their sockets and then replaced.

Swap: Whenever possible, find a known good part that you can swap with a part that you suspect might be bad.

Remove: Whenever possible, remove or disconnect all nonessential components from the computer. If the part is not necessary to recreate the problem, remove it.

Isolation steps : No Video

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:22:54 UTC

Video initializes during the POST process. If the computer stops before it completes POST, there may be no video.

Because there is no video being displayed, it can be difficult to determine if the problem is a video issue or a POST problem. With POST issues, there are usually other indicators that can be used for isolation, like diagnostic LEDs or beep codes.

Video Point of Failures

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:24:37 UTC

Certain components are needed for video. These include:

A display (often a CRT monitor or an LCD screen)
Portable Display (LCD Panel, LCD cable, and LCD inverter)
Power to the display
Graphics adapter (also called a video card)
Connection between the external display and the graphics adapter

Isolation steps : No Video

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:26:32 UTC

Below are a few no video troubleshooting tips:

Use the User Guides to find the settings for the display.
- Brightness/Contrast
- Meaning of yellow and blinking monitor power LED
- Self-Test

Isolation steps : Using ePSA

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:29:12 UTC

The Preboot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostic tool can be used to troubleshoot no video in two ways. When you activate the ePSA, you get audio tones as it goes through its initial tests.

If you hear the tones but see no video, then you can suspect the LCD/Monitor or video card might be the problem.

The second reason to use ePSA is to troubleshoot portables with video issues. There is a direct signal generated to the LCD that scans through 4 full screen colored panels. If you can see those, then the display itself is likely not the cause of the failure.

RTC Reset

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:33:33 UTC

The Real Time Clock (RTC) reset function allows you or the service technician to recover Dell XPS, Latitude and Precision systems from No POST/No Boot situations.

You can initiate the RTC reset on the system from a power off state and is connected to AC power. Press and hold the power button for twenty-five (25) seconds. The system RTC Reset occurs after you release the power button.

Note:

Real Time Clock (RTC) reset is available on select Dell XPS, Latitude and Dell Precision PCs only.

Refer to the table at the bottom of this page.

If AC power is removed from the system during the process or the power button is held longer than 40 seconds, the RTC Reset process is aborted.

Latitude Self-Heal

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:39:31 UTC

Latitude Self-Heal is an option that helps recover a Latitude system from a No Post, No Power, No Video situation.

Latitude Self-Heal clears the CMOS on the motherboard and rewrites the BIOS to original factory defaults. After clearing the CMOS, Latitude Self-Heal will reset hardware settings back to factory defaults.

How to Perform Latitude Self-Heal

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:41:43 UTC

step 1 remove the AC adapter and primary
step 2 Unplug the coin-cell (CMOS) battery from the motherboard
step 3 • Release the flea power.

step 4 Ensure the coin-cell battery and the primary battery are not plugged into the system.
step 5 Connect the primary battery and AC adapter.
step 6 Plug the coin-cell (CMOS) battery back into the motherboard.

BIOS Recovery 1

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 12:56:02 UTC

BR1 is only applicable via USB key only method.

BR1 recovery files are known as Crisis Recovery (CR) files (.cap or .hdr) .
BR1 is only supported on Inspiron, Vostro, XPS, Alienware notebook platforms shipping before NOV 2015 (System prior Skylake processor)

BR2 Process

landayat000 — 2017-10-17 13:17:16 UTC

BR2 is a Boot Block technology software designed to recover a corrupted BIOS Possibility of solving No Post and No Boot related issue.

The key feature is to provide flexibility to initiate the BR2 process from:

System's primary hard drive
External USB key.