Dell Inspiron 537s Small Desktop

What color is the power supply LED on back of PC, if this model has that LED?

What color is power button, and steady or blinking?

You can try this:

1. Power off, unplug power cord from rear of PC
2. Disconnect all peripherals
3. Press/hold power button on front for ~30 sec
4. Reconnect only mouse, monitor and keyboard and see if it boots now

When was last time motherboard battery was replaced?

What color is the power supply LED on back of PC, if this model has that LED?  'green light'

What color is power button, and steady or blinking? 'white and steady'

You can try this:

1. Power off, unplug power cord from rear of PC  'did this'
2. Disconnect all peripherals  'did this'
3. Press/hold power button on front for ~30 sec  'I gave it 60 sec.'
4. Reconnect only mouse, monitor and keyboard and see if it boots now  'Did this, and booted the machine, all fans running strong, monitor shows 'power saving mode'

When was last time motherboard battery was replaced?  'installed new one before trying the above directions..'

Note: I also changed monitors with another Dell monitor, and redid the same directions as above, I also got the same results..

Puzzled now, could be the motherboard gone..

I went back and did this:  Took the battery back out, and *** the power button for another 60 sec. Rebooted and got 4 continuing beeps, also got the power saving mode error.. Rebooted beeps went away but power saving mode error stays..

Ron..

4 beeps is RAM error...

1. Power off, unplug, press/hold, etc...
2. Remove all RAM modules, except from slot 1. Reseat module in slot 1.
3. Do the "battery thing"
4. See if it boots now
5. Then swap all RAM modules into slot 1, until are tested and work there or you ID a bum module
6. If they all work in slot 1, add a module to slot 2, do the "battery thing" and see if it boots
7. Repeat #6 until either they're all installed and working or you iD a bum slot

4 beeps is RAM error...

1. Power off, unplug, press/hold, etc... "Did this"
2. Remove all RAM modules, except from slot 1. Reseat module in slot 1. "pull slot 2 reseated slot 1"
3. Do the "battery thing"  "Did the battery thing"
4. See if it boots now "Boots to a ambois screen, with selections to push f1 f2 f12 etc. But keyboard will not function"
5. Then swap all RAM modules into slot 1, until are tested and work there or you ID a bum module "Tried both ram in slot one, after the ambios screen appears I get 5 beeps"
6. If they all work in slot 1, add a module to slot 2, do the "battery thing" and see if it boots "Tried the ram thing again along with the battery thing a couple of times, nothing still get the ambios screen and 5 beeps."
7. Repeat #6 until either they're all installed and working or you iD a bum slot

Note: my keyboard and mouse are wireless, I don't have a hardwired keyboard at this location..

I did try the above maybe 4 times and got the same results..

What would you say now..

Thanks.

Ron..

5 beeps = cmos battery failure.

You broke the socket to the coincell when you took it out.

RESEATING does not fix a dead battery.

OK, so what does this mean..I broke the socket to the coincell. I don't understand..

Ron..

The battery socket is hard plastic and fragile.

You should not have power on and not use metal object to press the latch as this can short out the clock circuit and permanently damage it.

The + should be facing where you can see it.

5 beeps = dead battery or you Physically broke the socket or Shorted out the battery using a metal screwdriver to pull it out.

If the "new" battery isn't dead then you damaged the clock circuit with static electricity, or broke the battery socket.

Sure the new battery is any good?

Did you install it fully in the socket and right-side-up? You can try wiping it with lint-free cloth to remove any fingerprints.

What happens if you put the previous battery back?

Possible the voltage sensor on the motherboard failed so it can't see the battery, even if the battery is good.

Brand in the package..

I had everything unplugged removed the old battery ,and held the power button for almost 60 sec.. then I put the new battery in, with the + on top....

In one of the previous posts, I followed it to a tee, and this included removing the battery and holding the power button..

With the machine unplugged I use a little pen knife to pop the battery out.. I may have shorted it, unknowingly..

If the "new" battery isn't dead then you damaged the clock circuit with static electricity, or broke the battery socket.

I may have done the above unknowingly..so what would be the answer now..

I think I should really find myself a good dell repair tech. and let them repair the machine.

Ron..