Inspiron will not boot

Hi Actegra,

I appreciate you technical expertise. You have performed almost all the steps which should have resolved the issue. I recommend one last step that is clearing CMOS settings:

1. Remove the computer cover.
2. Reset the current CMOS settings:
   1. Locate the 3-pin CMOS jumper (CLEAR CMOS) on the system board.
   2. Remove the jumper plug from the CMOS jumper (CLEAR CMOS) pins 2 and 3.
   3. Place the jumper plug on the CMOS jumper (CLEAR CMOS) pins 1 and 2 and wait approximately five seconds.
   4. Remove the jumper plug and replace it on the CMOS jumper (CLEAR CMOS) pins 2 and 3.
3. Replace the computer cover.
4. Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.

Note: The computer must be disconnected from the electrical outlet to clear the CMOS setting.

If the issue persists even after clearing CMOS settings, I suspect the motherboard is faulty. You may consider replacing the motherboard

I had tried tjis previously but wasn unsure if I did this right. After unplugging the mouse keyboard monitor and power I moved the jumper. This caused the cmos light to turn off quicker than usual. After five mins I moved the jumper back,  plugged everything back in and immediately after the power cord was connected, the light lit up and nothing when pressing the power button. As a curiosity,  would it b possible that it could be the ram, power supply or maybe awrong bios version? is there any other way to test the motherboard or that it is in fact the motherboard?  I would just like to make sure before doing anything uneeded. Thank you for your help.

Hi Actegra

Thank you for trying the suggested steps. Please check by replacing the CMOS battery. If the issue persists even with a known good CMOS battery, I suspect it is a motherboard failure. Let me know the region you belong to, to provide the contact information to replace the motherboard.

I have the same computer and it acted that way after doing an upgrade to the hard drive. What i found was Dell Diags on the hard drive in a hidden partition that are a fantastic tool to access for problem solving. Download EaseUS partition master Software Free Home edition. With that software you can access the partition and run the diags. If your able try this first boot with the F12 option and look for the diagnostic boot option. My problem for the speed of boot and intermitten booting was something in the MBR and doing a complete hd sweep with diags and tools solved my problem. 

Hi,

I have the same problem - I have a Dell Inspiron 546 and the amber light on the motherboard lights up. The power does not turn on.

Could this be a PSU issue at all? Or is it all those issues that have been discussed in this topic?

I almost ordered a PSU but then backed off when I saw this forum

Thanks