I'm having the same problem with my Inspiron 531 desktop. At first I was getting a blank screen, now it won't even start. I usually have to hit the reset switch on the back of the power supply for it to turn on after repeatedly pressing the power button. Sometime it boots, other time it doesn't. Let me know if you find a solution, buddy. I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
I'm having the exact same issue with my Vostro 410 - it started about 3 weeks ago - except now my issue is that it will not permanently turn on.
After removing the CMOS battery the machine booted up once, but after that it's dead. I've got the solid amber light, solid green on the PSU, the power button blinks amber.
If I press the power button I don't even get the PSU fan to spin, no beeps, nothing!
I've tried everything - pulled ram, drives, video card, usb cables, accessory cables, etc.. I stripped the machine down to just PS, Motherboard, and Processor - No beeps, just solid amber light on the MB.
I've done the PSU / short (green to black) test to see if the PSU powers up and it does. I have not yet checked voltage - but my only guess is it's either a failed PSU or a failed Motherboard/CPU. I wish I had another PSU laying around to try - but I might opt to buy a cheap PSU to try. I hope that's the issue, and not the Motherboard/Processor. I also tried clearing the CMOS BIOS (rteset) using the jumper - without luck.
From what I have read the solid amber light on the MB is suppose to be a notification that it could not initialize correctly, or there was a fault with the power or the board. A blinking light indicates a fault directly with the motherboard? Is that correct? I've try to find what the color of the light on the motherboard should be if it's operating normally. I just can't seem to find any information on the Foxconn board to verify.
My current status is that my PC power up switch continues to power up intermittently and most other times simply flicks the fan momentarily and does nothing. One thing that does seem to impact (but this may be grasping at straws also !!) is in situations where I've tried the power up button multiple times and nothing has happened .... I remove mains power completely from the unit and let it drain out of the system by watching the PSU green light go off and the motherboard light too ... wait a minute or two, then reconnect the mains the unit powers up almost every time. It is as if some residual charge remains in the pc as long as the unit is connected to the mains, but when it drains away the mains power surge allows the pc power switch to function.
To come back to your message ... my understanding of the Amber light on the Motherboard is that the Motherboard is getting some power (Stay Alive / Standby power) and this colour light would be normal when the PC is in the OFF state but with main power supply connected. This amber colour light on the Motherboard would seem to be normal therefore.
The following post does make some suggestions regarding a similar power issue on another model it might be worth your while having a look ....
I wonder does anyone from DELL actually look at these posts ... or some a response from anyone with expertise in this area regarding the Vostro 410 would be appreciated ...
I'm having the exact same issue with my Vostro 410 - it started about 3 weeks ago - except now my issue is that it will not permanently turn on.
After removing the CMOS battery the machine booted up once, but after that it's dead. I've got the solid amber light, solid green on the PSU, the power button blinks amber.
If I press the power button I don't even get the PSU fan to spin, no beeps, nothing!
I've tried everything - pulled ram, drives, video card, usb cables, accessory cables, etc.. I stripped the machine down to just PS, Motherboard, and Processor - No beeps, just solid amber light on the MB.
I've done the PSU / short (green to black) test to see if the PSU powers up and it does. I have not yet checked voltage - but my only guess is it's either a failed PSU or a failed Motherboard/CPU. I wish I had another PSU laying around to try - but I might opt to buy a cheap PSU to try. I hope that's the issue, and not the Motherboard/Processor. I also tried clearing the CMOS BIOS (rteset) using the jumper - without luck.
From what I have read the solid amber light on the MB is suppose to be a notification that it could not initialize correctly, or there was a fault with the power or the board. A blinking light indicates a fault directly with the motherboard? Is that correct? I've try to find what the color of the light on the motherboard should be if it's operating normally. I just can't seem to find any information on the Foxconn board to verify.
Nicholas Weber
2 Posts
0
September 25th, 2014 12:00
I'm having the same problem with my Inspiron 531 desktop. At first I was getting a blank screen, now it won't even start. I usually have to hit the reset switch on the back of the power supply for it to turn on after repeatedly pressing the power button. Sometime it boots, other time it doesn't. Let me know if you find a solution, buddy. I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
jmemax
3 Posts
0
October 3rd, 2014 11:00
I'm having the exact same issue with my Vostro 410 - it started about 3 weeks ago - except now my issue is that it will not permanently turn on.
After removing the CMOS battery the machine booted up once, but after that it's dead. I've got the solid amber light, solid green on the PSU, the power button blinks amber.
If I press the power button I don't even get the PSU fan to spin, no beeps, nothing!
I've tried everything - pulled ram, drives, video card, usb cables, accessory cables, etc.. I stripped the machine down to just PS, Motherboard, and Processor - No beeps, just solid amber light on the MB.
I've done the PSU / short (green to black) test to see if the PSU powers up and it does. I have not yet checked voltage - but my only guess is it's either a failed PSU or a failed Motherboard/CPU. I wish I had another PSU laying around to try - but I might opt to buy a cheap PSU to try. I hope that's the issue, and not the Motherboard/Processor. I also tried clearing the CMOS BIOS (rteset) using the jumper - without luck.
From what I have read the solid amber light on the MB is suppose to be a notification that it could not initialize correctly, or there was a fault with the power or the board. A blinking light indicates a fault directly with the motherboard? Is that correct? I've try to find what the color of the light on the motherboard should be if it's operating normally. I just can't seem to find any information on the Foxconn board to verify.
bbvostro
2 Posts
0
October 4th, 2014 13:00
Sorry to hear you are having similar trouble.
My current status is that my PC power up switch continues to power up intermittently and most other times simply flicks the fan momentarily and does nothing. One thing that does seem to impact (but this may be grasping at straws also !!) is in situations where I've tried the power up button multiple times and nothing has happened .... I remove mains power completely from the unit and let it drain out of the system by watching the PSU green light go off and the motherboard light too ... wait a minute or two, then reconnect the mains the unit powers up almost every time. It is as if some residual charge remains in the pc as long as the unit is connected to the mains, but when it drains away the mains power surge allows the pc power switch to function.
To come back to your message ... my understanding of the Amber light on the Motherboard is that the Motherboard is getting some power (Stay Alive / Standby power) and this colour light would be normal when the PC is in the OFF state but with main power supply connected. This amber colour light on the Motherboard would seem to be normal therefore.
The following post does make some suggestions regarding a similar power issue on another model it might be worth your while having a look ....
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/19411854
I wonder does anyone from DELL actually look at these posts ... or some a response from anyone with expertise in this area regarding the Vostro 410 would be appreciated ...
spaccman
1 Message
0
October 21st, 2014 12:00