Dell T3500 PB12 error

davidcarey

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I have a Dell T 3500 , which has the PB 12 issue . I have on 4 occasions recovered the machine to working state . Does anyone have experience of this problem , in this model , and can shed light on what caused the problem . Contrary to all I have read on-line it is not a terminal problem , at least in my machine . I am though , desperate and persistent with a focused ( some may say obsessional ) desire to fix what I cannot replace .
After recovery the machine can go into sleep mode and restart AND also shut down and restart ( But not an overnight shut down , as I found out yesterday ) .
Has anyone else , after a PB 12 , 1 + 2 error , regained use of the machine ?
Any thoughts much appreciated .
 
Do you mean

Dell precision t3500 problem boot code light 1 and 2?
 
Well, since you won't answer me:

‎07-30-2014 01:21 PM
RE: Dell precision t3500 problem boot code light 1 and 2


What color is the power button, and is it steady or blinking?

Any beeps?

Try clearing BIOS:

  1. Power off, unplug
  2. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
  3. Open case and remove motherboard battery
  4. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
  5. Carefully reseat RAM modules and PCI cards in their slots
  6. Reinstall battery (right-side-up!)
  7. Close case and see if it boots with only mouse, monitor, and keyboard connected
If that doesn't help, you may need to remove RAM modules according to the table of supported configurations in the manual (p41) to see if you have a bad RAM module or maybe a slot problem.
 
Do you mean

Dell precision t3500 problem boot code light 1 and 2?

Yes , PB12 = 1 + 2 lights flashing .

Bios clearing does not solve the problem , does it ever ? Re-seating the ram and PCI cards the same .

What i need is a fellow T3500 user with a PB12 issue to try what I just did 5 minutes ago and transform the ( generally accepted verdict of " broken , order an overpriced S/H MB with a dubious warranty" ! ) PB12 "lights of death" into a fully working computer ! The comp was in sleep mode and the UPS did not hold the momentary power loss , so I had to start it cold .
 
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Yeah, I have never had that problem, and wouldn't know how to duplicate it. The troubleshooting I included above was just (common stuff) that I found from Google.

If you are skilled at repairing 1366 bent pins I have a T3500 MoBo you could have cheap.
 
I found this online "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. (PS_ON asserted, PS_PWRGOOD asserted, SYS_PWRGOOD de-asserted)"

This does not indicate an issue with a PCI card or add-in of any kind, but a general error with the motherboard itself. The key is you said blinking, blinking and solid are two different error codes.

Try to remove all unnecessary components, such as any add-in video cards or other PCI cards (if any) and run only the monitor and power to see if you can get it to POST (no keyboard, mouse or anything else USB). Honestly, it probably means the motherboard died and you will either have to get a T3500 motherboard online or buy a new machine. Unless you are some kind of advanced electronics engineer you have no real way of troubleshooting component level failures on a motherboard, and even if you could identify it, how would you repair the board unless it is a capacitor? You're just going to replace the board it seems to me.

But first try to remove EVERYTHING you can, the USB cable for the battery (if used), keyboard, mouse, external drives, ANYTHING. Since the code does throw some power related info, if you have a spare power supply it may be worth throwing a different PSU in there as well just for the heck of it.
 
I found this online "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. (PS_ON asserted, PS_PWRGOOD asserted, SYS_PWRGOOD de-asserted)"

This does not indicate an issue with a PCI card or add-in of any kind, but a general error with the motherboard itself. The key is you said blinking, blinking and solid are two different error codes.

Try to remove all unnecessary components, such as any add-in video cards or other PCI cards (if any) and run only the monitor and power to see if you can get it to POST (no keyboard, mouse or anything else USB). Honestly, it probably means the motherboard died and you will either have to get a T3500 motherboard online or buy a new machine. Unless you are some kind of advanced electronics engineer you have no real way of troubleshooting component level failures on a motherboard, and even if you could identify it, how would you repair the board unless it is a capacitor? You're just going to replace the board it seems to me.

But first try to remove EVERYTHING you can, the USB cable for the battery (if used), keyboard, mouse, external drives, ANYTHING. Since the code does throw some power related info, if you have a spare power supply it may be worth throwing a different PSU in there as well just for the heck of it.
Is that from the t3500 owners manual? All the codes should be in there.
 
Machine is working fine . After a really bad day yesterday when we had at least 9 power outages in the morning ( and the UPS is not holding ) , I gave up and went out for 2 hrs and the machine booted up first time on return ( no PB12 ) - technically that would be a "cold" start as the temp in house is 80-85 F. constantly . I am still doggedly searching for more info on what can cause a PB12 and if anyone else recovered use after the PB12 . If I had been anyone else apart from me , I would have ordered a replacement MB long before now ( and wasted my money ) .
I would feel like a fool if I had taken advice and bought a SH replacement for $90 ( incl shipping ) with a mere 30 days warranty and someone else showed me his working T3500 after a PB12 . After all I only paid $150 for the whole computer ( from a dealer ) with 6 GB and a W3565 ,
 
Motherboards for T3500's are about $40 shipped. If your problem persists, just replace the board..
 
Motherboards for T3500's are about $40 shipped. If your problem persists, just replace the board..

I think I am looking at a different e-bay to you . You can more than double that price if shipping is included + customs duty and still end up with only a 30 day warranty ( and then you have to pay return shipping ) . I have proven many times that PB 12 is not a terminal problem ( at least in my case ) , and if it is not terminal then it is fixable , but I am far more persistent than most ( and far more inclined to think outside of the "get a replacement" school of thought ) .
 
Sounds more like a power supply or component failure. Disconnect everything and only one stick of RAM each at a time, if it's stable, start adding back components one at a time. Basic troubleshooting you know?
 
I think I am looking at a different e-bay to you . You can more than double that price if shipping is included + customs duty and still end up with only a 30 day warranty ( and then you have to pay return shipping ) . I have proven many times that PB 12 is not a terminal problem ( at least in my case ) , and if it is not terminal then it is fixable , but I am far more persistent than most ( and far more inclined to think outside of the "get a replacement" school of thought ) .
If I may ask ... what is you do to solve this issue?
Reason being I have a T5500 board that fails with the same error - solid Amber light , #1 and #2 flashing which Dell indicates as "System board Regulator Failure". It was working perfectly for some time, then one day refused to boot.

I say board because I put a another T5500 board in it's place with every single other part the same and system fires right up. Also fires right up with a T3500 main board. All same components. Put first T5500 board back in - no go.
 
Sounds more like a power supply or component failure. Disconnect everything and only one stick of RAM each at a time, if it's stable, start adding back components one at a time. Basic troubleshooting you know?

This is a DELL issue , do you have experience of this kind of error ? PB 12 error indicates PSU is good , not a problem with memory , Graphics card or peripherals either . Now unless anyone else can refute me , I seem to be the only one still using my computer after a PB 12 , not crowing about this I hope others chime in and disprove me . If what I am doing has got the computer working again , then I firmly believe that the problem can be fixed . I need to find like minded puzzle solvers to assist .
 
Just because its intermittent doesn't mean it's fixable. If it is a flaky motherboard, I still don't see how you can "fix it." I think a 30 day warranty on a motherboard from a PC built in 2009 is a fair deal. These are all either "new old stock" or used boards. Its a computer from 2009 that you paid $150 for. If it keeps up, its probably the board flaking out and I don't think it would be fixable unless you were a true electronics engineer and could specify exactly what part of the board is flaking out / failing. Even then, how on earth would you repair it if it were in the board itself and not a capacitor or chip on top? You couldn't.

I am glad its working for you again, seems lucky. If it keeps up, and you have done all of the troubleshooting steps in this thread, then you have to either throw a $40-$60 dollar board in there or buy a computer that is more modern.

Fixing stuff is great when possible, but when it comes to flaky motherboards, you will be hard pressed to find an IT pro that wouldn't just swap a $40 board (or $80 board) rather than spend many hours trying to pin down the problem... because, as I said before, unless the problem is a capacitor, how much time are you going to invest in trying to fix a $40 board and most repairs are impossible anyway.
 
Just because its intermittent doesn't mean it's fixable. If it is a flaky motherboard, I still don't see how you can "fix it." I think a 30 day warranty on a motherboard from a PC built in 2009 is a fair deal. These are all either "new old stock" or used boards. Its a computer from 2009 that you paid $150 for. If it keeps up, its probably the board flaking out and I don't think it would be fixable unless you were a true electronics engineer and could specify exactly what part of the board is flaking out / failing. Even then, how on earth would you repair it if it were in the board itself and not a capacitor or chip on top? You couldn't.

I am glad its working for you again, seems lucky. If it keeps up, and you have done all of the troubleshooting steps in this thread, then you have to either throw a $40-$60 dollar board in there or buy a computer that is more modern.

Fixing stuff is great when possible, but when it comes to flaky motherboards, you will be hard pressed to find an IT pro that wouldn't just swap a $40 board (or $80 board) rather than spend many hours trying to pin down the problem... because, as I said before, unless the problem is a capacitor, how much time are you going to invest in trying to fix a $40 board and most repairs are impossible anyway.
I agree there must be a reasonable limit to the time spent trying to rectify the problem with an older motherboard especially if the parts are not replaceable , But the point I am trying to make is that I believe the solution is far more simple than any of the comments I have read on this particular subject . Is there any reason to believe that MY PB 12 is in any way different to anyone else's ? To the best of my knowledge , from searching on-line and in 4 forums , I have not heard anyone indicate exactly what the problem is , Sort of like PB 12 ? Get a new MB .
""I still don't see how you can "fix it." " ?? I was counting , but gave up past 10 , the times I have regained use of my "broken beyond use or repair" Motherboard . Just 6 hrs ago was the last time ( due to a power-cut and 650kva UPS that just is not up to the job ( will trade up tomorrow ) ) .
 
Right, but just because it booted backup that is not a "fix", it just started working again. It is intermittent, and after some tries starts working again. You didn't do anything specifically to "fix" the issue besides rebooting etc. If whatever steps you took to make it work again are only temporary, and it stops working again, then it is not fixed.

You appear to be very lucky that the issue is not yet permanent.
 
Right, but just because it booted backup that is not a "fix", it just started working again. It is intermittent, and after some tries starts working again. You didn't do anything specifically to "fix" the issue besides rebooting etc. If whatever steps you took to make it work again are only temporary, and it stops working again, then it is not fixed.

You appear to be very lucky that the issue is not yet permanent.
It DOES NOT just boot back up , I have a certain procedure and it is that procedure that gets the computer working again . You think that I would be pushing the issue if all I did is press the power button to regain use of the computer ? The steps I take KEEP the computer working , If Now I power off then I can re-start it NORMALLY , shut down and start it and put it into sleep mode and wake it up .
 
It DOES NOT just boot back up , I have a certain procedure and it is that procedure that gets the computer working again . You think that I would be pushing the issue if all I did is press the power button to regain use of the computer ? The steps I take KEEP the computer working , If Now I power off then I can re-start it NORMALLY , shut down and start it and put it into sleep mode and wake it up .
I have had the same issue and I am currently of the belief that it is an atmospheric issue such as dust on the motherboard creating an unexpected conduit / connection on the motherboard, hence the error.
3 computers in the same room during storms had the same issue ... storms have gone and computers are working again.
I originally followed other suggestions about replacing the power supply, the motherboard or some PCI card.
 
My T7400 had a similar issue, I discovered it was a loose connection where the power cables plug in to the power supply (T7400 supply is made to be hot swapped if failed without removing all the cables inside.)

I jiggled it and it booted. hasnt happened since.
 
I have a Dell T 3500 , which has the PB 12 issue . I have on 4 occasions recovered the machine to working state . Does anyone have experience of this problem , in this model , and can shed light on what caused the problem . Contrary to all I have read on-line it is not a terminal problem , at least in my machine . I am though , desperate and persistent with a focused ( some may say obsessional ) desire to fix what I cannot replace .
After recovery the machine can go into sleep mode and restart AND also shut down and restart ( But not an overnight shut down , as I found out yesterday ) .
Has anyone else , after a PB 12 , 1 + 2 error , regained use of the machine ?
Any thoughts much appreciated .

Hi, would you be kind enough to describe briefly how you got the computer running after the PB12 error? I'm having that probem right now. Thank you.
 
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