my computer won't power up

What model PC?  The front panel power button and light indicator can be different for different models.

Dell desktop Studio 540.

No lights on the front come on, a green light on the back of the computer by the power supply plugin comes on, also I just noticed the cooling fan starts to move then dosn't just a jerk then nothing.

Joebrc

Assuming that you have the studio 540 Mini Tower and not the 540 Slimline version.

The power button LED is not lite.

The Studio 540 Troubleshooter is HERE

Are there any 'Beep's?

Does the power supply fan run?

Bev.

the studio 540 Mini Tower

The front power lights don't lite at all.

The power button dose have some effect though as I discribed in my first post

(("when I plug it in a green light comes on in the back of the computer, but when I push the power button in front it turns off , if I hold the power button in for 5 seconds it will turn on again only, nothing else with the computer will actaviate, any thoughts")(except a jerk of the fan at the power supply))

The light that turns on is  #5 in page17-18 of Guide. It's on back of the computer

Power supply light — Indicates power availability for power supply.

Are there any 'Beep's? NO

Does the power supply fan run? No

(when I push in the power button on the front it will start to with a jerk then nothing, not even 1/32 to 1/16 of a spin then the power supply lite turns off, I did let it get real dusty on the inside and vacumed it out, and saw the fan spins freely when the vacume creates a draft.)

I'm thinking something is wrong with the power supply box or maybe some wiring or switches

I have the volt slector on 115 amp I can switch to 230 amp but should I?

#6 in page17-18 of Guide Voltage selector switch — Select the region specific voltage range.

I have also pulled all 4 memory cards and replaced where they came from and disconected and reconected the hard drives in an effort to get a reset in the system

Prior my computer was saying one of my raid things was not working

Could this be involved with this problem?

page 48 of Guide

RAID support

RAID 0 (striping) RAID 1 (mirroring)

Joebrc

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 known 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 24-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 on, if power supply and case fans and the hard drive run, 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 the 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/or there is no difference in the LED indication of the power button, it would appear that the motherboard has issues.

Bev.

If I do this I should hope the power supply is bad Right?

If the power supply is good then the mother board is probably bad Right?

What would you suggest if the mother board is bad?

Thanks for your advice Bev, Could you please answer my above questions?

I will try what you suggested in the next day or so and reply again and let you know how it worked out.

Funny thing my wife made me promise I wouldn't go on to any online chats.

If she only new!

Ha Ha

Thanks again, Joe

Joebrc

If I do this I should hope the power supply is bad Right?

Better the power supply, than the motherboard, power supply costs less and is easier to replace.

If the power supply is good then the mother board is probably bad Right?

Usually that is correct.

What would you suggest if the mother board is bad?

Either replace the motherboard with a Dell OEM Studio 540 refurbished unit, or buy a new desktop. Replacing the motherboard would cost less, it's your choice.

Bev.

Oh my gosh I just realized that when I jumpered the wires I did not have the power cord plugged in. Now that I did that the fan on back of the power supply comes on and makes noise like its running. Still on light on the front though.

I solved my problem by replacing the power supply. This was my first choose because a power supply cost less then a ser.vice check. and it fixed it.

Oh my gosh I just realized that when I jumpered the wires I did not have the power cord plugged in. Now that I did that the fan on back of the power supply comes on and makes noise like its running. Still on light on the front though.

I solved my problem by replacing the power supply. This was my first choose because a power supply cost less then a ser.vice check. and it fixed it.

The wierdest thing is that after about an hour of the tower sitting unplugged, I tried to turn it on and it worked.  No need to replace anything.  Also I don't think I have the mini tower, not sure what that is but thanks for your help anyway.

jkrrassa

You are welcome and I'm happy to hear the issue resolved.

Bev.

Im having the same issue again.  I tried the jumper again and the fan came on now the computer still wont turn on.  I guess its the motherboard then? I have no light on the logo power button and no beeps