Diagnostic light 2

Hi,

This is normal boot up process on Dell dimension E520.

.

Ok, thanks.

However the whole startup process can take half an hour and more. Sometimes I hear little (fan?)brooms - and when I at last hear a big broom I know that my Dimension E520 have manage to start this time too -

am afraid that it will stop working..

Hi,

Please use the link below to optimize your system.

www.dell.com/.../SLN289872

Also, refer to the video below to run hardware diagnostics.

youtube.com/watch

Thanks for links!

I ran the hardware diagnostic test and the result was:  Found no errors.

But there was a suggestion under the CPU section to clean ventils and fans. I will try that if I can figur out how I do it. Have to start looking in the E520 manual I think.

Try reseating the RAM modules in their slots and use canned air to blow out the dust.

E520 Service Manual

Today I have opened the pc case, blowed away some dust and taken the memory bricks out and in again.

I didn't see any CPU fan, the only one I found was the one in the front and I tried to clean it with the airblow.

When I started the pc up again there was no brooming, but it gave the message: "device 0 not found"

I have seen that message before and with just a push on the start button it continued and started Vista.

I could not resist but shut the pc down and started it up again. This time it started up almost as new --

Hope it is ok now.  - Why should I reseat the RAM modules?  Don't know if it was the RAM reseating or the dustcleaning which helped.

Hope your problem is fixed now!

Sometimes RAM modules lose good contact in their slots, either because of vibrations (fan, drives) and dust. So reseating the RAM may clean the contacts and restore good connections.

You probably want to reboot now and immediately press F12. Look for the option to run the Diagnostics and run all of them, including RAM and extended hard drive tests. Copy down error messages - if any.

And back up your personal files on external media ASAP to be safe...

Unfortunately the pc still won't turn on normally.

I have to push the start button several times or take the power off and on, before it start up. I hear the fan noise, but not so loud as before - perhaps the cleaning helped a little

If I take a normal shutdown and turn it on again it start up as in old days.

On board diagnostic of harddisk gave: "pass"

I wonder if more cleaning could have helped. Is it possible to remove the heatsink(?) and  reach  the fan without disturbing the CPU? Have heard of "thermal paste" and know it is necessary if you change the CPU..

All suggestions gratefully received!

Gudny in Norway

Sounding like the power supply is failing...

Don't think you have problems with the heat sink or thermal paste. Those might cause random crashes if the CPU overheats, but you're having problems getting the PC to start, so heat probably isn't the issue.

Don't know if a non-Dell power supply will fit in the E520, so search these forums to see if anyone has posted about replacing the power supply in this specific model.

A Dell OEM E520 power supply is ~US$40-$50, but I have no idea how much it might cost in Norway.

Maybe it's time to take it to a reliable PC shop for service...?

I think you are right about the power supply. I will search for a new one and if I find one I think is right I will try to replace it myself. Something new to learn!

Thank you for your kind help!

Gudny

Glad I was able to point you in the right direction and your PC is working properly again.

Happy holidays!