Top 20 Dell OPTIPLEX 960 MT Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 250GB2GB) (BO5SC306) Questions & Answers

Hi Carlos, error code 3 & 4 is caused by faulty RAM (Memory modules) installed in the PC. You could try the following to resolve the issue: 1. Open up the computer cover 2. Locate the memory module(s) 3. Remove them memory module(s) 4. Use a can of compressed air or spray contact cleaner onto the center of the DIMM connectors to clean all the contacts. Do NOT use a normal brush to clear dust away. Wait for 5minutes for the contact cleaner to dry. 5. Reseat the memory module(s) 6. Turn on the computer and check if codes 3 & 4 still light up. If it does not, it should boot into the Operating System. 7. If codes 3 & 4 continues to light up, you will need to run a memory diagnostic test to determine which of the memory module is faulty.

OS is corrupt and needs to either be repaired or reinstalled.

Hi Tiffany, it sounds like there has been some sort of corruption of the files on the hard disk. You should see about booting from the Windows installation CD / DVD and copying all the files that are of importance to you (documents, photos, music, etc.) on to an external hard drive connected to the USB port or installed as a slave drive internally. Once you have saved all the files you need, shut off the PC and disconnect / remove the drive with your files. Then reinstall Windows again. Once done, shut off the PC and reconnect the drive with your files and copy them back to the hard drive and you should be good to go unless he drive is beginning to fail - in which case purchasing a new hard drive would be a good idea.

According to Dell you will need to run their diagnostic utility to find out what is really causing this error code http://mss.net/Links/DellDocs/OptiGX260/UserGuide/advtshoo.htm#1163831 read the part about how to start dell diagnostic

It sounds as if your power connector is not seated correctly See error light codes in this manual http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op960/en/setup/setup_en.pdf

Best way is to contact your service provider. I have Verizon and they're a big help for that. Hope this helps.

Could be several things. 1. could be the power supply 2. inspect the motherboard for bad caps. If the above is OK. Try removing and reseating the CPU, Memory and CMOS battery.

Hey, have you ever thought that you ANSWERED YOUR OWN question? If you press the power supply TEST button, then it powers up fully? It's NOT the button.......So...what else could it BE then Mitch?

bad capacitors were the bad boys , i have replaced the starting capacitor valued 1000uF 10v just across the switching IC and it worked

Probably needs a new power supply or power switch.

What is the exact error that you are getting? Do you get any blue screens? Have you installed any software recently or made any changes? I can only suggest checking the power cables and trying to use a different cable or spare if you have any for now.

ok 960 SFF is not the same as MT or the big case MOBO.SFF has its own mobo (motherboards)it has 11x2 row non ATX spec, power . not yours as it has 12x2 some SFF have 2 diffr. moboand a dell custom PSU for just this mobo and its odd duck jack. (called PICO plug)why not buy a new PSU? that matches this PC?even the SFF PSU case is not ATX spec.https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-960_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

Please see picture below

Go into device manager. Uninstall audio driver. Restart computer. This will reinstall the default driver. Try again. If it doesn't work, go to Dell website to find specific driver for your computer (using the service tag) and install that.

Desktops PCs usually have a 'jumper' on the motherboard, inside of the PC, that resets the BIOS, removing the password but also changing some settings to their defaults. It takes some 'know how' but you can google it to help you locate it.

What are you talking about? Video card?

Larry provides great information. Larry Ng Apr 30, 2022 good news the not told at all PC screen is not dead. a major fact but lacks all evidence like: 1, No PC told no OS told xp to w11 2: fans spin? all do, psu ,cpu and gpu card if fan. 3: Optiplex is a desktop 29 years of models made wow. 4: you mean Dell Splash logo. yes, and then it does the post bar, if post bar stalls that means hardware gross errors. sadly no PC model told of vast versions. wow. just wow hopeless that.? but is par here, and vast wrong answers just for that fact alone.even mine. i have many optiplex PC here old and new and my fav is 9020MT or smaller my oldest is 380(in storage) is your coin cell dead. (if yes can NOT be ignored) my dells all have F12 diagnostics, power on and hammer F12,, pick diag eSPA and run it older PCs dell if the HDD is dead the F12 diag is dead. due to being located there back long ago. my dells have a BIOS log page, go to BIOS the click tab, LOG read the logs. see what fails. (coin cell RTC sure)_ easy no?\ but why on earth post lacking the model number making any useful simple help 10 pages long for 29years of models. 1993 is the first OptiPlex, seen here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_OptiP... nobody can guess and no era is the same. evolution max. ..

Reboot and try again. If happens again try resetting your browser.

operating systems are available for your local pc support shops and retailers who sell computers all you have to do is insert the disc into a player in the computer and it reads and programs the pc the price is the same as on line but you have the added advantage of having a backup disk for future failures

Gina Gantt, You can click the link below for possible resolution to the error message. http://bit.ly/1ExO5wS You cannot bypass the administrator password. Click the link below to read the MS article on forgotten or lost passwords. http://bit.ly/1n4gcOF There are programs on the internet that will help recover the Administrator pw for you. Thank You, Dell-Jesse L Dell Social Media and Communities