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DELL Tower PC not starting

Hi. Just received a used PC. It's a Dell, an old one its running windows 2000. I cant get it to boot. There is a rapidly blinking LED button at the front of the case, Voltage is correctly set. If I switch the mains off and on again the fan occasionally starts, remains on for a second or so, then cuts out, It has an odd PC case. At the top rear of the case there's an eliptical recessed button. Is this the power button, or does it open the case? The unit was driven in a van for 160 miles. its possible something is loose, but i cant work out how to open the case! Help!

Post the Service Tag number, then we'll know exactly what model you have.

Turn PC on its side with tabs for lock (ears with holes) facing up. Press elliptical buttons on top and bottom (now sides) of case to release latch. Case opens on hinges like a suitcase. May take some effort to open.

That PC should have 4 small round LEDs on rear of case labeled A B C D. Those LEDs provide a boot code and help identify errors. Post which are green and which are amber.

While you have case open, remove and reseat RAM and video card.

If you have the model number you can find the documentation on how to open it on the Dell site here
http://support.dell.com/support/systemsinfo/documentation.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~cat=12
There should be a service manual with direction on how to open the case.

Think I'd already told him how.

But, if you want pictures, here's a representative system with same case.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4400/replace.htm#1101667

1 picture is worth 1000 words, or something to that effect.

If the power button led is blinking amber that would indicate a power issue. Also on many dell systems there are 4 leds in the back marked abcd what color are they when you try to power the system on?

Sorry willcomp didn't mean to repeat the info on the leds.

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So many replies! Thanks. Will have to investigate tomorrow. As Arnie says ... I'll be back ...

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Serial Number is HYJXT31 Model Number DHM (2003) Will have more time later to follow up the other replies ...

A rapidly flashing power led would normally point me toward a bad motherboard or power supply.

First though, once you get inside just check to make sure everything is seated properly and try again.

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Havent got it open yet, but today it started to boot when I switched on the mains power. It got so far, maybe 10-20 seconds and died. No monitor display, but there are 2 graphics cards which is confusing ...

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okay, i'm in the pc now. what a strange case. I can see now why it seemed to weigh twice as much as every other pc tower I have seen. There is a single yellow led which is lit on the mobo. I have taken out and re-seated all the components. I removed the PCI graphics card. Now it did the sorry attempt at a boot. It chugs away noisily, and the yellow led flashes as does another on the scsi card. I cant see the diagnostic led's anywhere ...then it just stops trying after 20-30 seconds ..

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the led on the front of the case - its more of a flicker than a constant flash.

OK the Tag is for an Optiplex GX270 built in 2003, it's previous owners would have got rid of it towards the end of last year.

It should have shipped originally with Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2 onboard

If the card you have removed isn't of a higher spec than that there's a chance the onboard graphics were already fried. TBH I'd put it back and use that as the output for your screen to see if you get anything at all.

It has an ATA controller

Assume you don't get any video output at all from it ...?

I'm really thinking the motherboard is bad. However, it's a far easier thing to test to put in another power supply just to make sure it's not that.

My answer is motherboard though...

KenO1964 --> It's not necessary and not well received by other experts to repeat what they have already said.

ASKER

Thanks. Masquerad I put the spare graphics card back in. Again the same weird boot/cut out -no output on monitor. Checked the monitor on another system and its okay. Can you track ownership on these?

willcomp:
KenO1964 --> It's not necessary and not well received by other experts to repeat what they have already said.

Thank you for your kind advice. I'll take my leave of this place now.

Good luck everyone.

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mmm . When I put the power cord in, the system boots up maybe once in 20 attempts. Is that a clue? I have a spare PSU ...

Remove all PCI cards and disconnect all drives (both power and signal cables). Leave monitor and keyboard connected. Remove anything else connected externally. See if it will boot.

Before anyone suggests removing motherboard from case for testing --> mobo is mounted on a metal motherboard tray and is removed by removing tray and will still be mounted on metal. These Dells are unusual to say the least. Same mobo without PCI extender was used in SFF Optiplexes as well.

The LED on the system board is to indicate power and, since it is blinking, you need to try the other PSU. If that doesn't do it, inspect the capacitors around the CPU's socket to see if any are bulging or have split open.

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stripped it bare as willcomp suggested. Dead. Tried another PSU. Fan spins for a second then dies, each time I flick the switch...

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Davis the yellow led on the board is constant, not blinking.

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sorry Davismccarn you are right. The capacitors are okay, but as it boots the yellow light flashes alternately with the clunking noises, then stops flashing for a while, and when it falls silent, the light flashes very rapidly...

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I cant locate these lights. Wonder if i`ve given the wrong model number HYJXT31 DHM is what it says on the case, but at the back of the pc there are no lights!

On the gx270 they will be loacted between the ps/2 ports and the onboard video port
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/en/ug/sffabout.htm#1184495

With a blinking amber power led the 4 diag leds are most likely off making them harder to see.

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yes i found the lights. they are all off indicating a pre-bios failure?

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i think the HD is bootable. Tried it in another PC and it booted as far as the Windows 2000 logo

I agree that it's motherboard replacement time. Here are instructions. It's a fairly easy process.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/SM/EN/replbrd.htm

Mobo recommended by DavisMcCarn is very reasonably priced.

ASKER

Hi Guys. Thanks for your efforts. it was fixed in the end by a bios reset via a jumper on the MOBO. Not sure how to award points in this situation.

Well, you got some useful information. Just split points amongst those that helped.

How about the comment that said "Might be worth resetting the BIOS but MoBo/PSU failure does seem very likely" ;)

Seriously though there's lots of useful input in this one splitting the points would be a good idea

One more thing that could be the problem:

A lot of motherboards will shut off after a certain amount of time if the CPU fan doesn't reach a certain RPM to keep from frying it. I think all of these motherboards connect the CPU fan with a 3 prong connector, but I'm not entirely sure about that. You might want to check the motherboard's manual to make sure it doesn't do that, or at least see if the fan has a 3 prong connector.

I would bet that your motherboard is dead though, but it's worth checking before you spend the money on a new one.

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Thanks I am really appreciative of all your help and time on this, and I will divide points among the main contributers, with an extra few for masquerade who did have the answer. I`m pleased to report that it boots every time now!

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Will contact admin to have point re-distributed.

Thanks