Dell XPS beeps 3 times, then 5 times. No video.

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The Phoenix

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May 24, 2014
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So recently, I took my graphics card and ram out of my system to use in another system because at the moment i don't have extra for that system. The computer was running fine before and did not show any signs of issues. Worked perfectly. After i took those components out, (btw, i used precaution and cut ALL power to system before removing graphics card and ram.) I did not take the parts out in any way that could damage the system. Once i came back home to reinstall the parts, the system powered on, no beep, no boot, no display. the power button had a orange amber light instead of the normal white. I turned off the system, took out ram to see if it would beep. Beeped 2 times as normal. I took the system apart, reinstalled the connectors, made sure no metal parts came into contact with board which would cause a short preventing the system from powering up, cleared the CMOS, and continued booting it up. This time, I got 5 beeps. On the dell xps fourms it says Realtime clock power failure. Figured the system is already almost 9 years old, I'll replace the CMOS battery with a new one. I saw something online about some ram slots failing, or ram in general, so i installed 1 ram stick. I started up the system and It beeped 3 times, and then 5 times. Keep in mind I still have no display. I looked on the dell website and 3 beeps means Possible motherboard failure - Chipset error, The fourms says nothing about 3 beeps, then 5. If the motherboard has failed then I'd like to know so i can replace it, but I just want to be sure that that's the right part and make sure that will fix the issue, Limited on funds.

Edit: when I install all the ram, the system doesn't boot, doesn't beep, no video, amber orange power button,


System Specs:
Intel Core i7 975 Extreme Edition
12gb ram
1tb + 1.5tb harddrive
Amd Rx 480 8gb,
not sure what psu, came with system
not sure what motherboard, pre-built system
got the system for free so im not complaining.
 
Solution
Rustycarrot
I agree, sounds like the motherboard is bad.
The motherboard you listed is the cheapest I could find. Some listings for that same board are surprisingly expensive, not sure why.
The RAM you listed should work however it isn't from a brand I've heard of. It is pretty cheap, though, so you'll only be out ~$15 if something happens. Also, both of these components are used so you have no guarantee that the same thing wont happen next week. With that said, your next option would most likely be a whole new system because this hardware and CPU socket are no long supported or sold.
Hope I could shed some light.
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Based on the specs you've given it looks like you have a Dell XPS 9100 machine, is that correct? Here's [1] a link to Dell.
I will continue like I am looking at the right machine:

The only thing you can do is the basic troubleshooting steps (which you have already done somewhat). Firstly, remove everything that is not needed. You only need the motherboard, 1 stick of RAM, the CPU, and PSU. Now to determine what RAM slot to use. I have found this [2] service manual from Dell (see page 30). You want your only stick of RAM to be in the slot labeled "1" (so probably second from the left). Try and power it up. Keep in mind, it wont boot to Windows because you have no hard drive installed, however it will hopefully POST. If it does the same thing, try a new stick of RAM in the same slot.

If all else has failed, you can try reseating the CPU (if you're up for the task).
If this has all failed, it's time for a new motherboard.

Hope I could help, good luck!

[1]
http://www.dell.com/us/en/bpi/desktops/desktop-studio-xps/cp.aspx?refid=desktop-studio-xps&s=bpi

[2]
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_studio_xps_desktop/studio-xps-9100_service%20manual_en-us.pdf
 
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Hi, thank you for your answer and also helping me with this. Much appreciated.

I did as you said above for troubleshooting, I unplugged all fans, gpus, 1 ram stick in second slot, unplugged disk drives and harddrives. Once i did that, the computer powered on, no beep, the power button was flashing orange instead of the normal white. However, i did not re-seat the cpu. before I do that I'd like to have thermal paste because I don't want to re-use the old stuff, this computer is 9 years old. It most likely would need new thermal paste anyway. If however I do this, and it does not work. What would be the best course of action? I would assume it would need a new motherboard. If it's not too much of an issue, would it be possible if anyone could help me find a cheap--used condition one? Right now i'm not really in the budget for upgrades, but repairing this is really my only option at this point. To be honest, I'd really like to see how far this computer can go before i really need to upgrade. I have included a picture of my motherboard below. Tomorrow I will re-seat the cpu and try this again, and will update you. Thanks a bunch.

http:// Here is a link to the picture, uploaded via google docs.
 
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Sorry for the confusion, but don't unplug the fans, specifically the CPU fan. It is possible the computer wont POST without a CPU fan.
I've looked around some and it looks like a flashing orange power button may indicate a bad PSU. Please make sure all power cables in the computer are properly seated and that the power cable going to the PSU is seated properly on both sides.
If this does not work, do you have another PSU you could test?
It is a little strange to me that this changed after you removed components, makes me wonder if this PC doesn't have checks for plugged in components. After you have done everything above, plug the hard drive back in and try to boot.

We need to decide if this is a motherboard or PSU issue before we continue. Let me know what you find.
Good luck
 
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Hi, thanks for helping me. Don't worry I wasn't that dumb to unplug the CPU fan XP
However I did unplug the unnecessary fans that were located in the case, and everything else that was not vital to the system at this point. I changed power supplys to a different one, (one from a working computer) It started and did not beep. It started, didn't make any noise, and the power button was orange, but was not blinking. At this point, I decided to take the CPU cooler out of the computer and re-seat the CPU. I re-sat the cpu and re-placed thermal paste. Once i got everything back to normal, I cleared the CMOS (5 min without battery) i fired up the system and got 6 beeps. for this system, on dell's site it says Real Time Clock failure. This does not make sense considering I just replaced the CMOS battery. I also tried the normal power supply and it gave me the same results. I'm not sure exactly what's the problem at this point. I just know that it has something to do with the motherboard. back to the CMOS battery, I know sometimes things take a certain type of battery, I took the old battery, went to walmart and got the same size as the old battery. The new battery seemed to fit fine, would any of these issues have to do with this?

Also i noticed that the 3 beeps were gone once i re-seated the cpu.

Thanks in advance, let me know if you have any more questions.
 
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At least we know it is not a PSU issue!
The CMOS battery should be labeled with the voltage (most likely 3V). As long as you get a battery that has that same voltage and fits in the slot, you're fine. It is likely a battery with these specs [1]. If this doesn't help, We can clear the RTC by holding the power button for 30 seconds. This will clear the CMOS, RTC,and all BIOS settings.
However, from what I see it looks like 6 beeps indicates "Video card or chip failure." I am looking at this [2] manual for "Dell Studio XPS 9100" from page 29. Am I looking at the right system / where are you getting your information?


[1]
https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-CR2032-Lithium-Computer-Motherboards/dp/B00IM47OIW

[2]
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_studio_xps_desktop/studio-xps-9100_setup%20guide_en-us.pdf


 
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You are looking inside the manual for the computer i presume. That could be the issue with the system, However, Here is where I found out about the 6 beeps.
http://
However, I only receive this when things are disconnected to my knowledge, like the harddrives, fans, gpus, exc. Whenever those are connected, the computer turns on, no beeps,(post) doesn't boot, no display, and the power button is orange, not blinking. I don't exactly know what's going on with this system.
 
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Interesting...
Alright, new plan. Plug everything back in on the inside of the case (GPU, RAM, etc) and leave it unplugged externally (no monitor, power cable, etc). Then hold power down for 30 seconds. Similar to above, this will clear CMOS, BIOS settings, etc.
If this doesn't work, we'll need to look at a new motherboard.
 
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Welp, I tried that and I'm back at square one. 3 beeps, then 5 beeps, there is no video. I tried doing exactly what you said, connected all components inside back together. I unplugged everything externally and held the power button for 30 seconds. Still did the same thing. I tried using a different GPU, and tried using a different psu. I'm afraid that a new motherboard may be the way to go.

I looked up motherboards on ebay because this is really the only place i could find them. and i found this.
motherboard This looks to be the same that I have, and may be the way to go. If you can find anything that is used and working for cheaper, and is the same thing. That would be awesome. Also, I figured why not get some ram while I'm at it. The computers I have here I'm always taking ram out of other computers and it gets annoying.Will this work?
Ram on ebay
 
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I agree, sounds like the motherboard is bad.
The motherboard you listed is the cheapest I could find. Some listings for that same board are surprisingly expensive, not sure why.
The RAM you listed should work however it isn't from a brand I've heard of. It is pretty cheap, though, so you'll only be out ~$15 if something happens. Also, both of these components are used so you have no guarantee that the same thing wont happen next week. With that said, your next option would most likely be a whole new system because this hardware and CPU socket are no long supported or sold.
Hope I could shed some light.
 
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Solution


Thank you for the help. It's much appreciated. Building a new system is a good idea and I've been wanting to do something like that for a while. I've already made a decent build on here PC Part Picker all the stuff i missed is stuff i already have and don't need. However i will probably build this pc in a year or so, maybe less because i have a project car I'm working on at the moment. Thanks for the help
 
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I hate to revive an old thread, but. I ordered the motherboard and will be here tomorrow. But i just had a question. Is it ok to just take the old motherboard out and put the new one in, plug everything back in and start the system like normal? Or should i delete the operating system and start over. I'm really hoping I don't have to do that because I don't have a copy of windows offhand. Thanks.
 
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You should be able to just swap and go. It is possible windows will put up a fight about it but I would be surprised. I would just swap the motherboards, try to boot, and see what happens. If it boots fine, great, if not you may need to reinstall.
 
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