tom.kaminskiHow do I determine what component has failed?
You need to take the system to minimum to POST. This will allow you to narrow down the point of failure. These are the components required for the system to POST:
- CPU
- Heatsink for CPU for prevention of over-heating
- System Board
- PSU(Power Supply Unit)
- Front panel (to power system ON)
- 1 DIMM for CPU
Remove everything except those components. Also, swap the DIMM that is currently in slot 1 with another DIMM. If the issue continues with only those components then a major system component has failed. In this situation we would typically send out either just a system board or a system board and CPU. The most likely component would be the system board, but it could be the CPU or PSU.
If the issue is resolved by removing all unnecessary components then start adding components back 1 at a time. When the issue comes back then you have narrowed down the failure to one component. If for instance the issue returns when you add a PCIe card back into the system then the problem is either that PCIe card or the slot it was inserted in. Test the device in another slot to determine which is faulty.
Thanks