Dell Precision T3500 will not start

[davidcarey]

I have a problem with My Dell precision T3500 that will not start . From the diagnostic lights it is a PB12 fault , system board component . The night before , I switched the computer off as a fan was loud but I checked temps and everything seemed ok . I tried clearing the BIOS but it did not solve the problem . Checked the GPU on another machine and was told it was working . All peripherals disconnected . Can anyone render advice please ?

 

[Ketchup]

Any fans on at all? Since the led is coming on, I don't see it being a power supply problem, but more of a board issue.

 

[davidcarey]

Thanks for replying . The Graphics card fan runs for a second then everything shuts down . Agreed it is not a power issue . Question that I cannot find an answer to is what the MB fault could be and is it repairable ? I have only had this machine for a couple of months , it was working brilliantly ( after so long with a decrepit laptop on its last legs ) and I was very happy ( though planning some upgrades ) .

 

[corkyg]

Assume it is under warranty?

 

[BigBadBiologist]

Try removing all but the first stick of RAM (and potentially swapping that one if no boot). Had one that gave similar issues with a bad stick of RAM.

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks for replying . The Graphics card fan runs for a second then everything shuts down . Agreed it is not a power issue . Question that I cannot find an answer to is what the MB fault could be and is it repairable ? I have only had this machine for a couple of months , it was working brilliantly ( after so long with a decrepit laptop on its last legs ) and I was very happy ( though planning some upgrades ) .

Wouldn't be worth repairing. Try returning it to the petson that sold it to you.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Warranty?

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/precision-t3500/manuals

manual doesn't indicate a PB12 error.

 

[Burpo]

PB12
A power failure has been detected in one of the onboard system board regulators. This could be caused by a failed system board component or by a plug-in device creating a short on a regulated power rail.

 

[davidcarey]

So , the motherboard is broken and I need a new one ? No one has specific experience of these computers and this particular problem ( and if fixable ) ?

 

[BambiBoom]

So , the motherboard is broken and I need a new one ? No one has specific experience of these computers and this particular problem ( and if fixable ) ?

davidcarey,

If: PB12 means that, "A power failure has been detected in one of the onboard system board regulators. This could be caused by a failed system board component or by a plug-in device creating a short on a regulated power rail", and you've checked the peripherals for problems, then it seems you will need to replace the motherboard. These are not expensive, in the U.S. usually about $30 with shipping.

The manual has a detailed sequence with photos to follow and it's not too difficult a job. See:

http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/a...tion/precision-t3500_service manual_en-us.pdf

BambiBoom


Dell Precision T3500 (2011) (Rev 4) Xeon X5677 4-core @ 3.46 / 3.73GHz > 12GB (6X 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC > Firepro V4900 (1GB) > PERC 6/i + Seagate 300GB 15K SAS ST3300657SS + WD Black 500GB > 525W PSU> Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[Passmark system rating = 2618 > CPU = 6759 / 2D= 613 / 3D= 1507 / Mem= 1836 / Disk=1328] 8.9.17

 

[Ketchup]

Hey shouldn't have to replace a motherboard on a computer he just bought, unless he got it for next to nothing. Most used PC's from a reputable source will have a 60-90 day warranty.

 

[davidcarey]

I thought the fact that the fans ( I assume the two front mounted fans ) were spinning loudly ( before I powered off for the night ) would have been an indication of what was wrong . Maybe the CPU ?

 

[XavierMace]

Are ALL the fans working? Many servers and workstations will turn remaining fans to max if it detects a fan failure. That said, that won't cause the code a PB12 fault or a failure to boot.

 

[davidcarey]

GPU fan runs , as well as both the front fans ,then everything shuts down . There are no beep codes , seems to be a speaker on the Motherboard , and tried through headphones . Should be beep codes with the lights , or am I mistaken ?

 

[XavierMace]

Not necessarily. If the VRU's are shorting out, it's likely not getting to the point of POSTing.

 

[ch33zw1z]

you can pull vga and dimms to see if it gets farther along or changes symptom.

unplug anything you don't need - minimum config - and seenif anything changes.

if you still get the same error, good chance it's the board.

if you have a spare psu its worth a shot.

 

[davidcarey]

XavierMace VRU ? Voltage regulators ? I assume these are under the heat sink ( cannot see them ) . Board looks OK , all capacitors ok ( no leaks , damage ) .

ch33zw1z Everything disconnected bar the monitor . Already re-seated the GPU and Memory . 1 stick , 2 sticks , swapped around sticks too . Bios cleared .

 

[ch33zw1z]

youve done all you can do it sounds like, get another board.

VRMs are built into mobo on consumer and entry level servers. you wont find pluggable vrms on low end stuff.