Inspiron 5680 replacement motherboard

Re: upon every boot up its stuck at the aptio Setup Utility unable to update and the message states ROM Image version is invalid

have you tried clear cmos settings by reset jumper on mobo(#19)?

do you mean replacement Dell 5680 motherboard or non-Dell board.

for the 8700 cpu and non-Dell board you need a microATX 300 series mobo.  best one is Z370.  H370 also not bad.  you do have to rewire Dell power switch cables to the new board standard FIO header in order to turn it on. also you would not be able to use non-Dell board to turn on or control 5680 case light.

5680 mobo

Thanks for the quick reply.  I did already unplug power, remove the cmos battery, wait 15 min, hold down power button for 15 sec, then powered back up, same issue.  assume clearing cmos via jumper is same thing.  Dell support did offer quote me if motherboard is dead:

$59 shipment fee there/back
$49 diagnostic/labor fee
$176 Dell motherboard

Haven't rebuilt/built PCs in years, so debating the path to take.. write the check for parts and labor or write the check and play and hack

Did you or SupportAssist recently launch a BIOS update for the brand new version 2.9.0 (dated 10-Jan 2022)?

You may be able to rescue the motherboard using BIOS Recovery 3.  Go here and download the BIOS recovery file BIOS_IMG.rcv for BIOS 2.9.0 onto an empty 2-GB USB stick. Be sure to use that exact same file name when you save it on the USB stick.

Plug that USB stick into the Inspiron 5680 with power fully off. Power on and immediately press and hold Ctrl+Esc keys at same time. Keep holding both keys until the recovery screen opens. Then follow the instructions for BIOS Recovery 3 at the link, above.

NOTES:

1. Some users say PC doesn't always enter BIOS Recovery 3 on the first attempt. So if it doesn't, power PC off, unplug power cord from rear of PC and press/hold power button for ~30 sec. With USB still plugged in, reconnect the power cord to rear of PC, power on and immediately press/hold Ctrl+Esc at the same time.

2. If it runs the recovery but still fails to boot afterwards, go here and download the BIOS_IMG.rcv file for the previous BIOS v2.8.0. Be sure to delete the 2.9.0 file from the USB first before saving the BIOS 2.8.0 .rcv file on the stick (or use a different USB). Now launch the recovery again.

Post back and let us know what happens...

Re: assume clearing cmos via jumper is same thing.  Dell support did offer quote me if motherboard is dead:

$59 shipment fee there/back
$49 diagnostic/labor fee
$176 Dell motherboard

clear cmos jumper is worth trying in practice and it is a relatively easy and quick procedure.  if it does not help you do not lose anything.  It is not the same as removing battery (although theoretically they are said to achieve same purpose).  I would not buy mobo from Dell.  if you could not resurrect the board using the bios clearing or recovery methods then look for a third party vendor selling the oem board.

I’m unable to even get to the F12 boot menu.  Control escape upon boot up does give me the status bar with F2 F12 in the bottom right corner.  But each one takes me to the invalid ROM image message.  Have tried multiple reboots. Same result.  I also did try to do the CMOS clear via the password CMOS jumper but that did not make any difference.  Same issue upon restart.  

Re: Anyone know exactly which motherboards will work?  Any recommendations on a replacement LGA1151 motherboard

if you plan to replace w Dell motherboard, this ebay seller offers an open box one and it may include a free ssd.  GENUINE DELL INSPIRON 5680 SERIES INTEL SOCKET LGA1151 DESKTOP MOTHERBOARD PXWHK 683346911799 | eBay

5680 has Z370 chipset also used in XPS 8930.  the latter Dell mobo is more expensive.

brand new Z370 micro ATX: Gigabyte Z370M DS3H Motherboard CPU i3 i5 i7 LGA1151 DDR4 Intel HDMI DVI USB 3.1 889523012215 | eBay

brand new H370 microATX ASRock H370M-HDV LGA1151/ Intel H370/ DDR4/ SATA3&USB3.2/ Micro ATX Motherboard | eBay

if you go the non-Dell route, might as well move all components to a new case for a custom build while using Dell cpu, ram, gpu, psu.

@sharkyheh - You never said if you or SupportAssist launched a BIOS update right before this problem started. That's an important piece of information to know.

Did you plug the USB with the .rcv file on it into the PC with power off?  And did you then power on and immediately press/hold Ctrl-Esc?

Have you tried disconnecting the power cord from PC and pressing/holding the power button before trying to launch BIOS Recovery with the USB stick with the .rcv file plugged in?

Which .rcv file is on your USB stick, the one for BIOS 2.9.0 or 2.8.0? If you only tried the 2.9.0 .rcv file, try the 2.8.0 .rcv file. And is your USB stick 2-GB, formatted FAT32?

My Dell contact alerted Level 3 engineering to look into this situation...

There was no BIOS update applied when I worked with Dell Support as it is impossible to get to the boot menu to select to boot from USB as it always goes to the hung Aptio Setup utility where it states "ROM Image Version is Invalid".  Ever since this issue started happening, I am not able to boot to the F12 Boot menu to even try to boot to USB.  

I have the 2.9.0 Rcv file on my usb stick but can’t get to the boot menu nor bios recovery menu as mentioned 

Also tried disconnecting the power cord from PC and pressing/holding the power button before trying to launch BIOS Recovery with the USB stick with the .rcv file plugged in. 

You misunderstood...Was there a BIOS update before your contacted Support? Something had to have triggered this error.

You have to be really quick about pressing/holding Ctrl-Esc after you power the PC on. And are you holding those two keys down long enough?

Try with the 2.8.0 .rcv file...

No bios updates were installed prior to contacting dell.  It’s my son‘s computer and he said he did not install any updates.  

That doesn't necessarily mean he didn't accept an alert from Dell's SupportAssist that some updates were available. 

Any idea what version of BIOS was running before these errors started?

Guess we'll just have to wait until Dell's Level 3 engineering investigates. I'll post here if I hear anything.

Well.... I rolled the dice on ebay and bought an advertised 'no boot' replacement Dell 5680 motherboard for $30 plus shipping  hoping it would 'work', no luck. Can't get the board to boot up when pushing the power button on my dell. The power supply button test does go green, powers up the cpu fan and case fans but that's about it. I did quadruple check all my connections and even tried booting with the bare connections (performed the power supply test with connecting one connection at a time, green power supply light stayed on with every test).  So going the route of rebuild with new case moving all my components or if I find a good deal on the Dell 5680 motherboard, will go that route...

You can always try a BIOS Recovery on either/both of those motherboards. I suspect this PC supports BIOS Recovery 3. So follow those instructions at the link.

Start with an empty 2-GB USB stick (formatted FAT32) and download the BIOS Recovery image file onto it. Do not change the name of the file that you put on the USB

Plug that USB stick into your 5680 PC with power fully off. Power on and immediately press and hold Ctrl-Esc until the recovery window opens. Best to use a wired USB keyboard, not wireless or Bluetooth. Once the recovery window opens, follow the instructions at the link, above.

If the recovery window won't open, power off and unplug power cord from rear of PC. Press/hold power button on PC for ~15 sec. Then open the case and remove the motherboard battery and press/hold power button for ~30 sec. Reinstall the battery (probably good time for a fresh one) and then close up, reconnect power cord, monitor, mouse and keyboard. Try to launch the recovery again...

Tried what you suggested.  No luck same outcome. 

@sharkyheh 

If it were mine I would put a new board in.  The old board is likely fixable using CH341 usb programmer.

INSPIRON 5680 LGA1151 MOTHERBOARD PXWHK
https://www.ebay.com/itm/363712591751

bios re programmer ch341

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164557415819