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Dell Dimension 5150 Wont Power Up

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15 replies

by paulhesford2003 2 views

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Hello
I have a Dell Dimension 5150, which would not power up and was showing a flashing amber light. I remved the cmos battery and replaced with a new battery this seemd to solve the problem until recently I had the same problem again but now -
There is no flashing light only the green mobo light removing the cmos battery will not start. The only sign o f life isthe green led on the motherboard

Thanks For your help

15 replies

by oh smeg

If this doesn't have any effect reduce it to the Bare Minimum and try powering again. Listen for any BIOS Beeps and follow the Beep Code to solve the problem.

Col

by oh smeg

Look at the M'Board for any signs of Damage.

Things like Budging or leaking Capacitors particularly those Electronic Capacitors around the CPU. Black or otherwise damaged components and or Broken Tracks and Bad Solder Joints are all things to look for.

You can also try removing all Plug In Components except the CPU and clean the contact edges with a soft rubber/eraser.

Naturally clean out the case with low pressure Compressed Air [i]Canned Air[/i] and prevent any fans from spinning as they can generate Electricity which can damage components.

by willcomp

First, try another power supply. Although the 5150 is a BTX form factor, it uses standard ATX connections. You can borrow an ATX power supply from another PC to test.

Although a standard ATX power supply will fit and connect, you may want to purchase an exact replacement due to custom power cable lengths and configuration. That's provided the problem is the power supply.

by wanttocancel

I do warranty repair on Dell desktops and laptops and I've worked on a few 5150s. If the replacement PSU won't revive your computer then the mobo's toast. If you have a warranty on the computer then call Dell up and have a replacement sent out to you (after you go through their lenghty troubleshooting process). If you don't then find a local computer repair shop or if you are a diy person then replace the mobo yourself.

By the way, you said you see an amber light...is it steady or blinking? Also, do you hear any beeps?

by paulhesford2003

Strange but true. Went into the office this morning and to my surprise the computer was powered up and working. I had left it plugged in the night before with the cmos battery still on the table

Replaced cmos battery and Switched it off from windows and it switched back on yes it worked.

Unplugged the machine went to restart guess what no response.

So I think that this cant be a fatal component failure but cant get the machine to power up no lights are displayed no beeps totally lifeless

Thanks Paul

by willcomp

Most likely cause is a weak capacitor in the power supply. Can't be certain when dealing with such symptoms, but that's the most probable cause.

by oh smeg

And gone way off spec.

Really sounds like a Bad Power Supply though and if I was a betting person my first bet on the Faulty Part would be the Electrolytic Capacitors in the PS.

Col

by paulhesford2003

Hello
Well thanks for all your help. I will order a new powersupply and see how we get on. Will post back my results

Thanks Paul

by paulhesford2003

Do you think its still the power supply if when I get the computer running it will run for weeks aslong as i dont switch off at the plug?

I it not somthing linked to start up?

by willcomp

Still most likely a weak capacitor. Symptoms point that direction.

by oh smeg

They can do some funny things when they are getting weak.

I had a customer replace the M'Board, CPU, Video Card on a new Quad Core System because when the computer was turned on the Monitor Displayed a No Connection Message but when the power was turned off it was blank.

Because the Fans where running it had to be the M'Board CPU & or Video Card so one at a time he replaced everything inside the case except the Power Supply, then when it still didn't work he brought it back for repair. I just switched the PS and turned on and it worked perfectly. All of the parts that he replaced also worked perfectly as well.

Col

by paulhesford2003

Hello
Thanks for your help
Fitted new power supply and now working fine

Thanks Paul

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