Author Topic: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100  (Read 6308 times)

Offline Saxito Pau

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Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« on: November 25, 2007, 08:27:28 AM »
Guys I need assistance.

I have been given a Dell Dimension 3100 to troubleshoot.

On querying customer about the problem: "Just fix it."   SIGH.

So far I have found the following:

This Dell (like all new Dells) have no PS/2 ports and you must use a USB keyboard and mouse

I did not have a USB keyboard initially so I could not login in to computer as user account was password protected.

Tried resetting CMOS by removing battery. That only resulted in the PC halting in the BIOS: "Floppy disk seek failure and Keyboard failure. Press F1 to continue, F2 for setup" and  has been the startup pattern since.

Eventually got a USB keyboard and even a PS/2 to USB converter adapter. No dice.
 
Only intermittently will the Dell recognize the USB Keyboard long enough to actually enter BIOS by repeatedly pressing F2 (once in several power cycles). But I am usually unable to navigate the BIOS beyond one or two button presses. no response from keyboard after that. Of the six USB ports i have tried, only the front right one seems to give any kind of response. PCI-E USB card is no help either.

BIOS is the latest version, A04

The diagnostic LEDs on the front show lights pauses on lights 1&4, then 2&3 before going to 1,2&3 on BIOS halt with code meanings listed here:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/adtshoot.htm#wp1124478

At this stage I have seriously considered a total disassembly/reassembly:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1043338

I do wonder if getting the keyboard BEFORE resetting the BIOS would have made a difference. The mouse was working fine when it started up.

I am ready to condemn this thing as having a fried USB controller. It is out of warranty as of June this year.

full documentation:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/index.htm#online_documentation

Any further ideas anyone may have? All suggestions are welcome. Is a month now I have it. Only really started to fight with it this week.
God is dead.

Carigamers

Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« on: November 25, 2007, 08:27:28 AM »

Offline Saxito Pau

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Re: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2007, 07:42:56 AM »
Update: It seems that these Dells are fussy about WHICH USB keyboard you use. I forgot I had a customer's USB wireless keyboard/mouse lying around, charged it and hooked it up and it worked immediately.

The owner of this Dell is gonna get a nice fat bill after I had to rip the whole thing apart in the process of troubleshooting; a lil cheap upgrade from 512MB to 2GB RAM one time too!!
God is dead.

Offline Prowl

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Re: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2007, 11:23:42 AM »
Sax u da man

Lian LI PC70B
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Offline TheApprentice

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Re: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2007, 03:02:04 PM »
Update: It seems that these Dells are fussy about WHICH USB keyboard you use. I forgot I had a customer's USB wireless keyboard/mouse lying around, charged it and hooked it up and it worked immediately.

The owner of this Dell is gonna get a nice fat bill after I had to rip the whole thing apart in the process of troubleshooting; a lil cheap upgrade from 512MB to 2GB RAM one time too!!

LOL @ de usb keyboard thing...

Aye I got a dell dimension 8200 here...
When the tower is open... THe system works...
When the tower is closed... It doesn't work....

:|

Any suggestions?
lol

Offline Nephilim

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Re: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2007, 05:28:21 PM »
improper air flow...

nah i take that back

extremely horrid air flow  :awesome:

no but seriously that is more than likely your prob

Carigamers

Re: Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 3100
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2007, 05:28:21 PM »

 


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