Computer/Technical Help thread

[The Ringer]

I figured this may come in handy here.

To kick this thread off I have a Dell E510 and it won't even boot up. When I hold down the main power button an amber light will flicker on and off but that's it. I have looked around the internets and it saying that it may be the motherboard and just wanted to see what you techies may think.

 

[Devil_666]

When in doubt: Delete System32.

 

[morbidaj]

does the harddrive spin up? could be a corrupt windows install.. you could put your windows disc in the drive..access the bios and change the boot order to boot from the disc

if you cant access the bios..it could be that the motherboard battery is dead?

 

[Mesa]

How long has it worked for, how old is it? Did you add or modify it at all? Just wondering if you introduced the fault somehow.


This is a tower, yes? I think I have an E520 and it's been going strong for maybe 5 years by now (knocks on wood).

I wouldn't think it's the MB battery, I think that just retains date time. Not sure if the bios needs a constant battery to retain its settings. I would'nt think related to a power supply problem (unlikely if you are getting power to turn on led),

Do you have any access to known working memory sticks to rule those out?

You can't even get the bios to come up or use the keyboard to try and change anything there. Maybe a jumper setting on the motherboard? Or an introduced damage/short or a latent failure anywhere in the system, good luck finding that one.

 

[EVILFACE]

I'd say the hard drive is toast.

 

[darthviper107]

If it doesn't turn on and nothing at all comes up on screen--it's either the motherboard or power supply. I'd say probably the power supply. Something would show up even if your windows installation or hard drive were messed up. Have you had any problems before or is this something that just started happening?

 

[The Ringer]

I have had the thing for about five years. I opened up the case and absolutely nothing is going on in there except for a little green light. It is a tower.

When you guys say the power supply what exactly does that mean?Part-wise

Thanks for all the feedback as well.

 

[Natrix]

I have had the thing for about five years. I opened up the case and absolutely nothing is going on in there except for a little green light. It is a tower.

When you guys say the power supply what exactly does that mean?Part-wise

Thanks for all the feedback as well.

If you don't know what a power supply is, you might want to quit right now.

The power supply is just what is says it is. It is the power unit in the case that the power cord plugs into and supplies power to the components in the case.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...wordRelated-_-power_supply-_-atx power supply

 

[The Ringer]

If you don't know what a power supply is, you might want to quit right now.

The power supply is just what is says it is. It is the power unit in the case that the power cord plugs into and supplies power to the components in the case.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...wordRelated-_-power_supply-_-atx power supply

Thanks for the clarification. I just don't want to go in to the repair shop looking like a ******* and they say I need something else.

 

[Natrix]

I would lean towards the power supply. The same thing happened to my roommates computer. It just wouldn't turn on one day.

The power supply takes the wall voltage and then provides different voltages on the plugs that come out of the power supply. So you could have a low voltage still being provided that would turn on LED's but the 12V line could be bad which is what would provide power to most of the major components.

You could easily go get a new power supply and replace it yourself. It is not a hard swap and would save you a bunch of money over bringing it in to a repair shop. There should be a sticker on the power supply that says what is it rated as far as Watts, just get a comparable rated power supply. If it is five year old, it is probably around 300-400 Watts.

 

[Natrix]

Found a couple things on the internets for your problem.

Unplug computer, disconnect all usb/monitor/internet, open it, hold power button until green led on the inside on the motherboard turns off, pop out the BIOS battery (looks like a big watch battery and use a small flathead screwdriver to depress the spring lock on one side), plug in computer, hold power button for about 20 seconds (must reset BIOS or something), let up on power button, wait 10 seconds and push power button. The computer should turn on. Wait for it until activity seems stable (1 min. or so). Push powerbutton to shut off.

If this has worked you have proven that it's not the power supply (it turned on).

Go buy a new battery (CR2032 3 volt). Unplug computer, open it, hold power button until green led on the inside on the motherboard turns off, pop in new battery, plug in (you should notice the power button blinking amber again), hold power button until it stops blinking (about 20 sec....again must reset BIOS or something), wait 10 sec., push power button. the computer should turn on. Wait for it until activity seems stabe (1 min. or so). Push powerbutton to shut off.

Now, close case, plug in all usb/monitor/internet/etc. Power up computer. You'll get an internal floppy drive error. Push F2 (maybe F1) to get into the BIOS settings and go to "drives" and turn off the internal floppy. Save and exit. The computer should boot properly now.

This seems to be a big problem with the e510, my theory is that this one small battery is the root of most of these failures (as these computers usually fail after 1-2 years), not the power supply or the motherboard (heck, when you replace the motherboard it comes with a new one of these batteries...a several hundred dollar piece of hardware, with a $5 battery that will actually fix it).

Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of Dimension 5150/E510’s come in with bad power supplies caused by faulty capacitors. The symptom is either NO POST or the power button blinking amber. For $2 + S&H in parts it can be fixed. I posted a guide explaining what to look for and how to fix it. How To Fix a Dell CX305N Power Supply

 

[The Ringer]

Thank you soooooooooooooo much man!!!!!!!!!!!!!


If you want any $$$ lmk. I greatly appreciate all your help!

 

[Kabukiman]

I'll take some money.

 

[BadMoon]

I'll take some money.

I could use about $634.95 please. PM me and I will send you my paypal address.

 

[Natrix]

I could use about $634.95 please. PM me and I will send you my paypal address.

Trying to cover the cost of a iPad 2?

 

[BadMoon]

Trying to cover the cost of a iPad 2?

Haha! I figured since money is being tossed around I might as well go for broke!

 

[The Ringer]