[olug] OT: Dell Help?

Ben Hollingsworth obiwan at jedi.com
Tue Jun 20 19:06:31 CDT 2023


So what happens to the rest of the computer when you power it up with 
either PS?

There's often an LED on the mobo that will flash in a particular pattern 
to indicate a problem that happens prior to the display card becoming 
active.  Does your computer have one of those?

I don't suppose the Dell warranty is still active, is it?  Is their tech 
support helpful?

On 6/20/23 18:13, William Mihalo wrote:
> Here is what I would do.
>
>     1. Check the power supply and make sure you haven't received a
>     used/failed one. This is common with material that was made during the
>     pandemic. I have a collection of consumer goods that I had to return
>     because they failed.
>     2. Inspect the motherboard. Pay particular attention to the capacitors.
>     If the top of a capacitor is bulging, that means the capacitor probably
>     failed. This was a problem 20 years ago but I'm not sure what parts were
>     used to build a motherboard within the last few years.
>     3. Was the computer left running in a room that wasn't air conditioned?
>     I've had servers fail because the air conditioning to a server room failed
>     and the server room went over 120F over 8 hours.
>     4. Test for a failed component. Disconnect all peripherals from the
>     motherboard--including the video display card and try powering on the
>     computer. If the power supply starts running, then you may have a failed
>     peripheral.
>     5. I ran a cluster that consisted of Dell computers that were OEMed to
>     another manufacturer. The cluster would have a CPU fail and knock a server
>     offline. The solution was to replace the CPU.
>
> However, the description of your problem sounds like you may have received
> a failed power supply. Finally, check all your connections to the
> motherboard and power supply and make sure nothing is loose. Also check the
> front panel to motherboard connections.
>
> Bill Mihalo
> wmihalo at gmail.com
>
> On Tue, Jun 20, 2023 at 5:23 PM Craig Wolf<wolfout101 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>
>> My Google fu is not finding an answer so I turn to the people I trust:
>> OLUG.
>>
>> I have a Dell desktop that is dead.  Plug power in and you get a light on
>> the PS for 2-3 seconds and then it turns off.  Power button does nothing.
>> I THOUGHT the power supply died.  Order replacement (500W vs 360W in the
>> case) and still doesn't work.  I think it might be the MB BUT not sure.
>> Other ideas to test this to determine what is wrong??
>>
>> I have a pissed wife at me because I recommended this machine and it died
>> after 2 years...ugh.
>>
>> Craig Wolf
>> (402)990-3010
>>
>> Strengths: Activator, Relator, Adaptability, Learner, Achiever
>> Take a moment to Make a moment! - Shekeela/VZW
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-- 
*Ben "Obi-Wan" Hollingsworth* obiwan at jedi.com www.Jedi.com 
<http://www.jedi.com>
The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the
Giver of all good things, so if I stand, let me stand on the
promise that You will pull me through. /-- Rich Mullins/


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