You will NEVER Fix me!
Ever get a PC to work on, and everything and anything that can go wrong, does?
Allow me to introduce the Dell Optiplex 720. This one came in for no power. After preliminary tests, I determined it has a faulty motherboard.
Now I can spend a few hours diagnosing it, but the motherboard is $25 on ebay. Its an older machine, and the repair time doesnt justify spending hours chasing the issue. Should be a quick and easy order and straight forward installation, or is it?
Murphys Law – What can possibly go wrong?
I recieved Motherboard #1 – Upon installation, it had the same symptom as the original motherboard. I tried a different PSU (an aftermarket brand) – and the motherboard began to smoke. It blew a transistor near the 12v power line. OK, easy fix right? I removed the transistor, and extracted one from the original motherboard, and soldered it on. – NO GO! Check RAM, CPU, disconnect all devices – No sign of life. Although it was recieving proper measurements on all power rails – again, not worth investing time tracking a fault. My sense of curiosity and problem solving nature urged me to keep going, but I resisted the urge.
Motherboard #2 – It arrived! But..not to me..it was shipped to the wrong address and delivered there, wherever “there” is. USPS sometimes marks a shipment as “delivered”, when in actuality in sitting in some truck parked over at the 7-11. I waited 2 days, and zilch. I ordered motherboard #3, and apologized to my customer for the mishaps repeatedly. Luckily, he was in no hurry, and had no qualms.
A glimmer of hope…
Day #3 – Wahoo! A neighbor hand delivered the lost package. Now lets get this thing installed and get the PC of my bench. Motherboard #2 showed promise. fans started spinning..then..faster..and faster..and faster…no POST.
Power Off..Reboot…NO Power…Now what? The Dell Optiplex 740, has a support rod, that serves as a support for the hard drive bracket. It screws into one of the case standoffs. I curiously removed it..and VOILA! The PC now powers on
