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June 6th, 2025 16:26
Diagnostic Fails on Precision 3450
I'm need help getting my SFF Precision 3450 with i7-10700 to work (Tag BCXY1G3). I upgraded BIOS to the latest version released this week. After multiple failures trying to install Windows, I ran diagnostics. It always fails at CPU test. I'm using internal video: no video card is installed. Selecting thorough memory diagnostic test alone passes. It fails near the end of dirty cache section of CPU test. PC just turns off mid test. What do I do next? Is it the CPU? Motherboard?
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anne_droid
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June 7th, 2025 09:47
Hi
What precisely happened....
You did a BIOS upgrade? How inside windows or standalone?
Why did you need to install windows?
How far does the install progress?
EdHeiny
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June 7th, 2025 12:15
@anne_droid I received PC in unknown condition and without a hard drive (discarded company PC). I installed drive and repeatedly failed trying to install Windows 10 and 11. I updated BIOS to 1.34.1 from USB using command prompt. BIOS update was successful. Still unable to install windows. Installation starts, gets through installation drive selection, but then stops unexpectedly. Starting Dell diagnostics with F12, PC shuts down after starting CPU test. I need to unplug and plug in to be able to restart. Running only thorough memory test, it passes with 16 GB (@ X 8 GB).
anne_droid
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660 Posts
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June 7th, 2025 18:14
Hi
Would you consider a LIVE LINUX on a USB like linux mint, it wont install on the HDD, just runs lumpily in RAM.
This will allow you to make progress towards showing the CPU does actually work, the RAM is in fine fettle.
Then you can examine the HDD with Gparted and when satisfied shut down and pull out the USB and try to get W10 or W11 to achieve the drive examination part like Gparted does.
It could be lacking the MOK (Machine Owners Key) for a windows install, but that is many steps in the future.
If in doubt please ask.
EdHeiny
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3 Posts
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June 8th, 2025 02:18
Thanks for the help and suggestions. I think I found the problem - a faulty power supply. I connected a voltmeter to the 12 Volt connector by the CPU. While it showed 12.16 volts at idle, while running Dell diagnostics (excluding CPU) test, the voltage fluctuated down to ~ 11 volts. When I run CPU diagnostics, the power supply shuts down (0 volts) so I can't complete the test. I removed and opened up the power supply and noticed 5 electrolytic capacitors had bulging tops. I removed 1 of the 5 and its capacitance only measured ~ 1 uF (should be 3300 uF). I've ordered replacement caps and will also search for a replacement 300 Watt power supply.