Dell Dimension 8200 Blinking YELLOW LIGHT, HELP PLEASE!

Hi Bev.,

I tried everything except the very last step of disconnecting everything (memory, peripheral, video card, etc.). No beeps, no lights lit up in the back except that of the network card. The brand new PSU I got turns on fine when I jump the green and black. I just ordered a processor from ebay for a few bucks. Hopefully that will do it. I may disconnect everything later today to carry out that last diagnostic step suggested.

Thank you,

Kaccie

Kaccie,

Good luck with the troubleshooting, it's worth noting that processors very rarely fail, unless there was a power surge.

Which processor did you order?

The Dimension 8200 has either an Intel 850 or 850e chipset motherboard.

It would be an 850, if the system predates mid-May 2002.   The largest processor you can use, would be the 2.8GHz/400MHz.

For late model systems built after mid-May 2002 with 850e chipset, you would be limited to a processor with a 533 MHz FSB and will go to a 3.06/533mhz. processor.

To find the chipset version, use CPU-Z, that may not be possible, as the system does not boot.

Bev.

Hi Bev.,

It turned out that they had the exact same one available. It's a P4 1.8GHZ/256/400/1.75V. Perhaps I should have taken this opportunity to upgrade but couldn't pass up the $3 deal/free shipping deal. I just now unplugged everything and did that last diagnostic suggestion. Nothing happened, so I'm going to assume that it's either the processor or motherboard (hopefully the former). Thanks so much for your help.

Kaccie

It's rare for a CPU to fail. Motherboard failure is much more common.

I think I agree. The processor I ordered hasn't arrived yet. If that doesn't fix the problem, I will find a motherboard on ebay...

Kaccie

:emotion-21:

Bev.

New processor just came in and I tried it. Assuming that the product is not defective, looks like it's not the processor. I guess the reason must be that the motherboard has died.

Kaccie,

That's a bummer.

FYI: The Dimension 8200 was built with two different motherboards, one version has the Intel 850 chipset, the other has an 850e chipset, best to try and match the version already installed.

The Dimension 8200 with a 850 Chipset and 400 MHz FSB processor will run with either 40 or 45 ns RDRAM, but the 850e Chipset with 533 MHz FSB processor requires the faster 40 ns RDRAM.

Bev.

OK, ordered the motherboard ($19). If this doesn't work, I'm going to get a bat and reenact that scene from Office Space on the Dell.

kaccie14

$19, that's an excellent price.

Let's hope the motherboard fixes the issue.

Bev.

Got the motherboard and just put it in. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that that's the issue. Plugged everything in, and everything is exactly the same - the blinking yellow light when I turn it on. Well, maybe it's time to officially give up. I will check all the connections one more time, and if nothing works still, time to recycle...

Kaccie

Kaccie

That's a bummer, but it happens. :emotion-9:

Bev.

You replaced the power supply, motherboard and CPU and still nothing works?

Check for bent USB pins that could be shorting out.

Yes, that seems to be the story. I just took out the small pcb up front containing 2 usbs. The pins look fine to me. The power switch connects to this board which connects to the motherboard, so it is possible that something is wrong here...