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Optiplex 780 USB failure - looking for clues to repair my motherboard
I have an old Optiplex 780 motherboard with a problem (mentioned before and eventually replaced, but more on that later). It fails POST with lights 2, 3 and 4 (2 and 4 are blinking green lights, 3 is a still amber light). From what I've read back in my previous thread from 2021, this means that USB has failed, though I currently have nothing plugged in. Plugging in other devices didn't fix it either, it just stays like that.
Is there a way to repair it without replacing the motherboard, like replacing some faulty components on the board itself? I don't really care that much about this computer, though seeing it work again would be nice. As cheap as these boards are, I don't want to take the easy way out and replace it until neccessary.
(I don't have the replacement board anymore, but I still somehow have the old one. Even though it was meant for parts, I'd like to revive it as I have all the other components for a full build.)
redxps630
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August 11th, 2024 13:59
Re: Is there a way to repair it without replacing the motherboard, like replacing some faulty components on the board itself?
it would be very difficult to pinpoint which component is the cause of issue. If an integrated chip has failed it is impossible to remove it and solder a new one. This is microelectronics done at a factory with precision robot machine assembly not for manual repair
NoobLenny
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August 11th, 2024 19:08
@redxps630 That's what I worry about, it's possible that the chipset is dead, but also that some USB ports are just shorted or something. I'll update once I test it all with a multimeter.
NoobLenny
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August 11th, 2024 22:05
update:
It's not even spinning its fans anymore... ugh. Looks like I'll have to take the lame way out and get yet another board, and I hope it's the last one of this very outdated generation.
redxps630
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August 11th, 2024 23:27
Have you tried replacing CMOs battery w a new battery and clearing cmos settings by motherboard jumper?
bradthetechnut
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August 12th, 2024 03:40
I was ready to mention the same thing. Bad batteries have thrown bad error codes.
Also note that front I/O panel is separate from MB, that it just plugs into the MB.
NoobLenny
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August 12th, 2024 07:10
@redxps630 I did that countless times, it's going crazy and throwing seemingly random codes. There was no battery inside for some 3 years as well, so it's not a battery issue. Looks like a chipset failure to me, which leaves me with no option other than replacing the whole board and actually doing something to brick this one for good, so that I won't return in yet another 3 years with the same set of problems (as I mentioned before, it was already replaced and I don't have it anymore).