Z800 power on issue

[Alitaki]

I've got a z800 that's off warranty and producing a beep error as soon as it is plugged into the outlet. No indicator lights, not a standard POST error beep. Just a steady beeping sound that continues for roughly 10 seconds after the power is disconnected. I removed the power supply and plugged it into the outlet on its own. The fans spin up and the indicator light powers on so I'm fairly certain the issue isn't there. Before I spend the cash on a refurb system board, I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has encountered this before. Any experience with this would be helpful. Thanks. 

EDIT: Forgot to add that there is a clicking sound not unlike the clicking sound made by a car when the battery is dead. The clicking noise is in rhythem with the beep. Also the rear case fans look like they're trying to spin but fail. They're basically doing quarter turns in rhythem with the beeping and clicking. It looks like power isn't getting to the system. 

[Dan_WGBU]

The Z800 power supply has 3 blind mate connectors, that plug into 3 connectors and cable assemblies in the chassis.  Pull out the Z800 power supply, and look at the 3 white connectors in the chassis.  Each of these 3 chassis connectors have 2 support pins each to hold the connectors in the chassis cutouts.  Check if these pins were damaged, and if the connectors were pushed out partially.  If the chassis connectors were pushed out,  it is possible the power supply is making intermittent contact with the chassis connectors/cables.

You removed the power supply and plugged it into the outlet on its own.  If the green light comes on, the supply is good (as you said below).

Sometimes, if the power cord is pulled out of the system quickly (or swtiched off from a opwer strip) after the system is shut down, the power supply can beep and the power LED can flash for a very short time afterwards.  This happens because there was not enough time for the main voltages to decay before the power cord is pulled.  It is not a failure, just an annoyance, and not the cause of your power up problem. 

Let me know if this helps. 

[Alitaki]

Dan,

Thanks for the response. I'll open the box up and check on that. If the pins look good though, it's likely a system board issue then right?

[Dan_WGBU]

Yes, it could be the motherboard if the power supply chasiss connectors are OK.  I recommend checking these cables first, though. 

[Alitaki]

So a new symptom.

I replaced the system board and now the workstation will power up and run through its POST startup. It will get to the point where it detects a new configuration and prompts you to press F1 to save the changes. The moment you hit F1, it shuts down and the clicking noise begins, the fans start to stutter spin and it will continue to do this until you unplug the power cable. Then, once the clicking stops and the power cable is reinserted, the system will boot up again and the cycle will repeat itself. 

Power supply self test light still lights up green. Not sure what the hell the issue is with this now. 

[Rob_Banim]

Hi Jerry,

I was wondering if you had any luck solving this issue with starting up the Z800?  I've got exactly the same problem on two Z800s.  My suspicion is that the power units have been damaged in a recent power spike, but they both still give the green light.  Perhaps the green diagnositcs light doesn't catch all potential situations?  That clicking noise you mention sounds like a solenoid cutting in for some reason.

Unfortunately, I don't have any other working Z800's left to swap in a good power unit and don't want to but a new one before I know what the problem is.

Any help appreciated.

Rob.

[SDH]

Rob,

I have bought replacement HP power supplies off eBay with success in the past.  I just checked and there are some for the Z800 listed but they're not cheap, unlike for the HP workstations I deal with most often.

Jerry may not check in often..... try being logged on and going to his forum member profile (by clicking on his name) and if he has his contact email linked there you'll be able to send him a personal message that will get him a notice to check his forum message que via email.

Let us know what you find out..... this is an interesting one.

Thanks

[DanlPierce]

Jerry,

  Did you every get this problem resolved?  I have the same issue that you first described.  I have not replaced the motherboard and I'm reluctant as it seems like you still had problems after you changed the motherboard.  Any information about what you did or what is the source of this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Jarko]

PSU sounds like in this post?

Taking into account new PSU's price and time of trouble-free work it looks like planned obsolescence...

[Victorwol]

it's the PSU, happened to me on 4 computers all the same day, computers were fine until rebooted to install an OS update and never came back to life, all the computers have consecutive serial numbers, so it must be a defect from factory, but out of warranty so nothing to do other than purchase refurbished PSUs...