Computer help......

[NRA223]

My Dell E510 is out of warranty by three weeks and of coarse now I'm having a problem. It won't power up. I shut it down one day, the following day I attempted to turn it on, but it won't start. I hit the start button on the front of the tower and it just flashes an amber color. I thought maybe it was the power supply. I opened the tower and there is a green light that stays on, on the motherboard.

Any suggestions? If it is the power supply, is it something I can do myself?(not comuter savvy:ANYWORD.

 

[reefman]

the green light on the motherboard means it is getting power from the atx power supply.
look on the back of the computer next to the power cord. You will see a red voltage switch. make sure it is set at 115 v

 

[Savager]

If the power light is blinking, it could be your video card problem. If you go to the dell website, go search for tech support section. You might find some answer from there. My old dell computer didn't power up and power light was blinking, I found the answer from their website. It was video card problem and I had really only video card hanging around and I changed it, it worked. Goodluck.

 

[NRA223]

Uh-oh. I thought the power supply would be an easy fix:shocked1:. Yes, the voltage switch is set at 115v:redface:.

 

[reefman]

amber light means some hardware is either defective or it needs to be reinstall.
try:
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules.
Remove and then reinstall any cards.
Remove and then reinstall the video card, if applicable.
Toggle the voltage selection switch on the back of the computer.

also see if the fan in the power supply moves when u try to power up.

dell parts r known to give out after the warranty

 

[NRA223]

amber light means some hardware is either defective or it needs to be reinstall.
try:
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules.
Remove and then reinstall any cards.
Remove and then reinstall the video card, if applicable.
Toggle the voltage selection switch on the back of the computer.

also see if the fan in the power supply moves when u try to power up.

dell parts r known to give out after the warranty

Your a funny man, but that's way beyond my capacity:ANYWORD::biglaugh:. But, thank you for the tips!


ETA; No, the fan does not move.

Should I bang on something? :ANYWORD:

 

[reefman]

if the power supply fan doesnt move at all when u try power up, the power suppy may need to be change. in dell, the fan trips a signal to the power supply to turn the system on. if fan is bad, it will not. this is a safty feature in the event that the power supply would overheat w/o the fan on n burn up.

 

[fluidimagery]

I'm going to guess it's more than likely the motherboard. Try to do what reefman suggests first with pulling the memory and any card you can.

You can probably find something reasonable on ebay for a replacement part otherwise I can send a quote in for a replacement part directly to Dell. I'm a Value Added Reseller and Service Center for Dell.

Replacement of the Motherboard is pretty easy.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/parts1.htm#wp1377780

 

[fluidimagery]

lol, if you want to test the PSU. Unplug the big Molex connector from the motherboard and stick the ends of a paperclip between the green wire and any black wire. This will jump the PSU to see if the fan spins up. I assume no responsibility if you miss with the paperclip.

This is of course not a fix all, but you'll be able to tell if the PSU is completely dead. Reefman beat me to the safety feature dell has.

 

[reefman]

dont bother with ebay or dell. m/b on ebay may not b reliable n dell will make u pay thru ur nose for a pos.
buy a quality m/b like asus or abit.

 

[NRA223]

if the power supply fan doesnt move at all when u try power up, the power suppy may need to be change. in dell, the fan trips a signal to the power supply to turn the system on. if fan is bad, it will not. this is a safty feature in the event that the power supply would overheat w/o the fan on n burn up.

Okay, interesting.

 

[fluidimagery]

dont bother with ebay or dell. m/b on ebay may not b reliable n dell will make u pay thru ur nose for a pos.
buy a quality m/b like asus or abit.

...and have fun reformatting the computer, buying a new power supply, and trying to align the screw holes

 

[NRA223]

I'm going to guess it's more than likely the motherboard. Try to do what reefman suggests first with pulling the memory and any card you can.

You can probably find something reasonable on ebay for a replacement part otherwise I can send a quote in for a replacement part directly to Dell. I'm a Value Added Reseller and Service Center for Dell.

Replacement of the Motherboard is pretty easy.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/parts1.htm#wp1377780

Riverhead, huh? :ANYWORD:

 

[fluidimagery]

lol, actually Westhampton

http://www.fluidimagery.com


I'll submit a quote to Dell and see just out of curiosity what they'd charge for a new motherboard.

 

[NRA223]

lol, actually Westhampton

http://www.fluidimagery.com


I'll submit a quote to Dell and see just out of curiosity what they'd charge for a new motherboard.

Dammit, I was in Montauk for three days last week! Then again, it wasn't broken at that time:smokin:

 

[fluidimagery]

Well, it could be PSU or Motherboard. PSU is a very easy swap as well as being cheaper.

I'm still thinking motherboard since the light is lit on the motherboard and you're getting some response on the front (amber light). But there's a chance it could be the PSU (power supply)

Auctions:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Dimension-...ryZ60267QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Dimension-...oryZ1244QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORIGINAL-DELL-D...oryZ3670QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[NRA223]

Yeah, I'm going to replace the power supply first, see if that's the problem. Do I just unplug the old one and plug the new one in? Or is there reformatting stuff required?

 

[fluidimagery]

no formatting required for the either the MB or PSU as long as you get the same part. Reefman was suggesting to go with a different brand MB instead of the OEM part which would require a reformat.

The link to the instructions above tells you how to replace the PSU as well. Let me know how you make out. Feel free to give me a call or drop me an email (off my website) if you need any help.

have a good night.

 

[NRA223]

Great, thanks.

 

[reefman]

heres another source