Dimension c521 Issues

Question

I've been fiddling with my Dimension c521 slim for a while now, and I have absolutely no idea what to do. Here's what is going on:

Early June, my monitor shut off while displaying the message "Out of Timing." I wasn't really sure what that meant and figured it just needed to power down for a while, so I shut my computer down. The next morning, when turning the computer on, it wouldn't boot. The power light would remain a solid amber color while the fan would continue to whir. Right after turning the power on, my mouse would light up for a moment and then turn back off. In addition, my monitor was receiving no signal. Using the manual and the internet, I tried to figure out what the problem was, but my problems didn't seem to match up, the original "out of timing" message with the rest of the symptoms, that is. I was advised to replace the power source, which I did. This did absolutely nothing.

Any advice on what could be done would be greatly appreciated. Here are some other facts about my computer that may or may not be of assistance.

It runs with Vista and is only about 4 years old.
I have tried using different monitors in case that may have been the problem, but nothing worked.
No diagnostic lights appear when turned on.

Thanks!

shesagordie · Accepted Answer

I have tried switching out the power supply with a new one, yet there was no change.

Kukura

As I will assume that you installed a know working power supply.

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

Remove the power cord from the power supply, hold the power button in for several seconds to discharge the residue power.

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/or there is no change in the diagnostic lights, it would appear that the motherboard and/or the processor has died.

Bev.

Kukura · Answer

I have tried switching out the power supply with a new one, yet there was no change.

Kukura · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion. I saw that in the manual and tried following through, but my problems merely led me in circles. Since I have a solid amber light, yet no diagnostic lights or beep codes, I was unsure where to go from there.

speedstep · Answer

No post and no beeps would lead me to believe bad power supply. Before you can find out what it is you have to rule out what it is not.

speedstep · Answer

Dell™ Dimension™ C521 Service Manual

Before You Begin

About Your Computer

Technical Overview

Removing the Computer Cover

Specifications

Troubleshooting

System Setup

Removing and Installing Parts

Replacing the Computer Cover

System Lights - Documentation

Power Light	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
Off	The computer is in a normal "off" condition or in a power-conserving mode.	None. Press the power button to wake the computer or to turn the computer on.
Solid green	The computer has successfully booted and is operating normally.	None.
Blinking green	The computer is in a Windows standby power-saving state (S1 or S3).	None. Move the mouse, press the spacebar, or use another device that has been configured as a wake-up device to wake the computer.
Solid Amber	A pre-POST failure has occurred. The system has received a Power Good signal from the power supply.	See Diagnostic Lights <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> for more information. If this does not resolve your problem, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
Blinking Amber	A possible power supply failure has occurred. The system has not received a Power Good signal from the power supply	Plug the computer into a working electrical outlet.

Diagnostic Lights

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.

To help you troubleshoot a problem, your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front panel. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, all four lights display solid green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem.

Light Pattern	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
	The computer is in a normal condition or a possible pre-POST failure has occurred.	See System Lights. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
	The computer is in recovery mode.	None.
	A possible processor failure was detected.	Contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.	If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see Memory), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Memory). If the problem persists, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	A possible graphics failure has occurred.	If the problem persists, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	A possible floppy drive or hard drive failure has occurred.	Reseat all power and data cables and restart the computer.
	A possible USB failure has occurred.	Reinstall all USB devices, check cable connections, and then restart the computer.
	No memory modules are detected.	If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see Memory), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see Memory). If the problem persists, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists.	Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist (see Memory). Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer (see Memory). If the problem persists, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	A possible expansion card failure has occurred.	Determine whether a conflict exists by removing a card and restarting the computer (see Cards). If the problem persists, reinstall the card that you removed, remove a different card, and then restart the computer. Repeat this process for each card. If the computer starts normally, troubleshoot the last card removed from the computer for resource conflicts. If the problem persists, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	Routine system activity subsequent to video initialization.	Watch your monitor for on-screen messages.
	System resource configuration in progress.	None.
	System board failure has occurred.	Contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.
	During normal operation, all of the diagnostic lights turn on and then turn off before the system starts. NOTE: If all of the diagnostic lights are on and the system does not start, there may be a problem with the power supply or with the processor.	If the system does not start, plug the computer into a working electrical outlet. Also see System Lights. <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> If there are no power problems and the system does not start, contact Dell. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.

Beep Codes

Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. This series of beeps, called a beep code, identifies a problem. One possible beep code consists of one long beep and then two short beeps. This beep code tells you that the computer encountered a memory test failure.

If your computer beeps during start-up:

Write down the beep code on the Diagnostics Checklist. The Diagnostics Checklist is located in your Owner's Manual.
Run the Dell Diagnostics to identify a more serious cause. See Dell Diagnostics.
Contact Dell for technical assistance. For information about contacting Dell, see your Owner's Manual.

Code	Cause
2 short, 1 long	BIOS checksum error
1 long, 2 short	Memory test failure (bad memory during memory sizing)
1 long, 3 short, 2 short	No memory
1 short	F12 key pressed

Kukura · Answer

I followed what you said and there was no change. Thanks for all of the help!

shesagordie · Answer

Kukura :emotion-21: Bev.

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Dimension c521 Issues

Dell™ Dimension™ C521 Service Manual

System Lights - Documentation

Diagnostic Lights

Beep Codes

Was this post helpful?