Dimension 2400 Turning Off Suddenly

tomayto

A solid amber LED, indicates that a device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.

Could be a motherboard and/or a processor problem.

Are there any 'Beeps', or error messages?

If you are comfortable working around computers, you could try the following:

Note: The only 100% method of testing a PSU, is to install a know working power supply.

Unplug the cord from the power supply, hold the power button in for about 15/20 seconds, open the case, unplug the 20-pin power connector from the motherboard and jump the Green wire to one of the Black wires, reconnect the power cord and power the system, if power supply's fan and the hard drive runs, then the PSU should be good.

Note: Do not remove any wires from the plug, use a small piece of wire or a paper clip as a jumper.

Power supply checks out and the system still does not work, again remove the power cord, hold power button in for several seconds to discharge the residue power, reconnect the 24-pin connector to the motherboard.

Remove all the PCI cards, the video card [if applicable], memory, all peripherals, disconnect the data and power cables to all the drives, check that the front panel cable is connected to motherboard, with nothing else connected to the system, reconnect the power cable and power the system on.
 
If you do not get any beep codes and there is no change in the diagnostic lights, then it's possible the motherboard has died.

Bev.

No, I'm not getting any error codes or beeps - the computer just 'dies' - and the power light turns amber instantly (as well as the A, B, & C lights on the back with the D light off).

I'll try the method of jumping the green wire to one of the black ones.

Thanks.

When I removed everything and unplugged everything I did get a beep code (1-2-2) I think - but I suppose that is normal. I'm not sure if the PSU overheats then shuts off or maybe the processor is overheating and shutting down. I would think if the motherboard was bad it would be a more consistent failure...have no clue.

I got another power supply and tried it. Same problem, so that's ruled out. Could it be the processor overheating, or should I bite the bullet and buy another motherboard?