Any "computer people" here, bonus if in NWI

[Davegrave]

I have a Dell Inspiron Desktop computer. Not sure of exact model, I could find out if it matters obviously. Anyway, for the past few week or two it started acting up. Whenever I was away from it for a while and it went into sleep mode it wouldn't start up again when I hit the keyboard or mouse. It was still on with the usual flashing blue light, but just wouldn't "kick in" again. I'd have to turn it off and restart it. I never had a problem with it turning off during use or not restarting. No other problems with it at all. Due to this I have been in the habit of shutting it all the way down when I don't use it.

Well today, it wouldn't turn back on at all. There's a small green light in back near where the power cord connects. that comes on. But hitting the power button does nothing. No "good" blue light, no "bad" amber light. Just nothing, no fans no whirring. I took the case off to see if it was as simple as a wire not quite connecting in the button region. Was dusty, gave a quick vacuum. fiddled with the connections...still nothing. While the case was off I noticed that in addition to the green power indicator on the back of the unit, there is a light on the main large circuit board that comes on. Yellow/amber in color.

That's all the info I have. Any ideas?

 

[Brandon]

possible bad power supply. most other problems it would give you a little more like a red light up front blinking so many times or beeping in a series or something to that nature...

 

[SEIndSAM]

possible bad power supply. most other problems it would give you a little more like a red light up front blinking so many times or beeping in a series or something to that nature...

Agreed. I had a Dell Insiron that did the same thing. I made the mistake of buying an off brand power supply. It would power the computer, but the system did not recognize the power supply, so it wouldn't charge the battery. My laptop became a desktop.

 

[jkfletcher]

possible bad power supply. most other problems it would give you a little more like a red light up front blinking so many times or beeping in a series or something to that nature...

Agree. Although for kicks n giggles, and even though it would be a long shot, try a different power cable from the back of the power supply to the outlet

 

[Davegrave]

Agree. Although for kicks n giggles, and even though it would be a long shot, try a different power cable from the back of the power supply to the outlet

Even thpugh the green light on the power supply lights up when plugged in? I was thinking that meant the power was getting TO the power supply, but not to the rest of the computer.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Watch out. Dell desktops use a nonstandard pinout on the connectors for the power supply. If you try to swap either the power supply or the motherboard for a non-Dell one, you will damage something.

 

[jkfletcher]

Even thpugh the green light on the power supply lights up when plugged in? I was thinking that meant the power was getting TO the power supply, but not to the rest of the computer.

derp me, I missed that part, sorry. The cord might not help then, but power supply still sounds likely

 

[Davegrave]

Watch out. Dell desktops use a nonstandard pinout on the connectors for the power supply. If you try to swap either the power supply or the motherboard for a non-Dell one, you will damage something.

Thanks, I'll go with a Dell brand.

 

[Davegrave]

It was indeed the Power supply. I ordered a replacement on Amazon for $45, $50 shipped. It came today and I installed it without too much problem. I did have to remove the cooling fan that's connected to the main board, and my hard drive. There was no other way to get it out. New one went in, reconnected everything and it powered up like a champion. Thanks to everyone that took the time to help me out. Money is tight and doing it myself I'm sure saved me a bundle.

Thanks again.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

With money tight, I'm glad we could save you some grief. I've been there.