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Dimension 5150/E510 not powering up (blinking amber light)
I just turned my PC off last night and tried to boot up this morning, only to find the power light blinking amber! I've tried unplugging, holding the power button, testing in a known-good outlet, and all that. It still stays the same. I've not had a single issue with this computer until now. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
-Aaron
Message Edited by batman129 on 03-19-2008 11:44 AM
Message Edited by batman129 on 03-19-2008 11:46 AM
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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March 19th, 2008 16:00
That generally indicates a PSU problem, but it can also be caused by the motherboard. If you have a spare PSU, I would try that.
Peter
batman129
27 Posts
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March 19th, 2008 16:00
That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure. The motherboard still has the solid green light and there's no indication it's a hard drive problem, so I guess I'll buy a new PSU (unfortunately I don't have a spare one lying around)...
Peter, can you tell me if there's a certain kind of PSU I need to get? Does it have to be the Dell brand (model cx305n or part #w8185), or can I just get any 305w or equivalent PSU? PSU's are one thing I haven't worked much with...
Thanks for the quick reply,
-Aaron
PETER345
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March 19th, 2008 18:00
The power supply is fairly standard. I don't buy them very often and am not up on all of the gotchas. Make sure to get one with all of the connectors your machine has and make sure that it fits in the hole on the back of the machine.
Some other models required that you cut a hole in the case to fit some PSUs.
Peter
darkcupid
8 Posts
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March 20th, 2008 08:00
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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March 20th, 2008 15:00
Generally, with blinking amberpower light there are no diagnostic lights because there is a fundamental power problem. I will have to eat that statement if the OP comes back and says the diagnostic lights are on. ;)
Peter
shesagordie
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March 20th, 2008 20:00
The D-5150/E510 does not use a Dell proprietary power supply, you can use most standard generic ATX power supplies with either a 24-pin or 20+4-pin main motherboard power connector. This system has an open back panel, a power supply with or without the on/off switch can be used, without having to modify the back panel.
Make certain the power supply has two SATA power connectors.
Bev.
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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
batman129
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March 21st, 2008 02:00
claretsforever
5 Posts
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March 22nd, 2008 17:00
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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March 22nd, 2008 18:00
It's pretty hard to imagine how MS Picture It can affect your power on problems. It would have to be doing something that changes what is stored on the motherboard because there is no Windows when the power is off.
Peter
batman129
27 Posts
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March 23rd, 2008 02:00
shesagordie
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March 23rd, 2008 20:00
This was posted by Dell about the E510/5150 blinking light syndrome.
Bev.
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Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
claretsforever
5 Posts
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March 23rd, 2008 20:00
Spoke too early. Apportioning my problem to MS Picture It is not a cure as you surmised. My recurring power up problem is back!
I've replaced the PSU at a cost of £75 and now I'm contemplating the Motherboard - another £85 plus fitting! For not much more than £200 I could buy a new Inspiron. My 5150 is only 18 months old but I'm losing faith now and with a costly repair on the cards this is serious money.
:robotsad:
claretsforever
5 Posts
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March 23rd, 2008 21:00
Thanks Bev.
I'll join the "blinking amber light club". Sorry to hijack Batman's board enquiry! Some of the other posts on the link you gave me mention memory problems. Others mention the wiring loom which is kinked.
However most of these amber light issues seem to relate to PSU failure. I've replaced mine to no good effect. I suppose I could have been unlucky with 2 failed PSU's but that is a possibility. I've binned the original so there is no going back!
My power-up problems have got progressively worse over the past 24 hours. Now I'm on my knees praying when I press the power button. I've to give it a few presses before the box comes to life. Could be a power button fault I suppose - a few pence?
I'm on the edge of replacing the motherboard now but that is serious money and may not fix the problem.
I bought the 5150 on 13th September 2006. Hardly a reliable piece of kit this.
CFE.
shesagordie
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March 24th, 2008 02:00
If I had a 5150/E510, I would have to think twice about spending, another £85 [$169], on a replacement motherboard. There's just been too many posts, on DCF about the same 5150/E510 failure. I might try replacing the front I/O panel and if this did not work, then I would start shopping.
Bev.
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Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
batman129
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March 24th, 2008 05:00