sudden power stoppage

Hi,

I would suggest you to run the diagnostics on the computer to confirm all parts are functioning correctly.

To run the diagnostics follow the steps below.

1. Restart the computer and tap the F12 key to access One Time Boot Menu.

2. Highlight Boot to Utility Partition and hit Enter.

3. Diagnostics would get initiated.

Please make a note of the error code if you get any.

You can refer the Dell Article 266787

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

Thank you very much for the Reply, DELL-Manshu S!

I no longer have a Utility Partition.  So I looked for a download I could create a boot CDR from at

www.dell.com/.../dimension-8300

But I'm not sure these will work.  The first makes floppies (I guess I could buy floppies and I have a USB floppy drive).  

Do you know how I can make a boot CD of Dell Diagnostics, please?

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Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

Thank you very much for sending the CD.  However as soon as I "Press a key to start from the CD/DVD..." it hangs on the very next message "Continuing to boot from CD/DVD...".

So I taught myself how to create a Boot CD of the diagnostics I downloaded from www.dell.com/.../dimension-8300

It also hangs very soon, on: "Please Wait, testing device drivers: ............."

(I believe my (IDE) optical drive is working perfectly.)

No matter where I plug it in, or what cord I use, about every other week the issue repeats.  (Randomly, even with nothing running and the monitor off.)  That is, the power suddenly goes off and the Power On button does nothing until I unplug the power cord, and re-plug it in.  Then all is well.

I think it's time that I replace my 305W PSU with a larger one.  (My video card specifies "Power Supply Requirement  400 Watt or greater".)  Since I don't know what to look for, I'm about to post a question about buying it.

Thank you very much for your helpful reply, Manshu!

coyote5

Newegg does list a StarTech PSU w/o the on/off switch, but it seems only a 350w unit is available and it has a 24-pin power connector, not the 20-pin, or the 20+4-pin connector, supported by the Dimension 8300.

Either a 460w, or a 550w, Dell compatible power supply w/o the switch can be purchased from here:

http://www.power-on.com/dell.html#

Personally, I would modify the back panel, by cutting a hole and installing a standard power supply with the switch.

Bev.

Thank you very much for your reply (in both threads), Bev!

Googling had led me to be comfortable with getting a PSU > 400W (I want to have plenty of margin).

I wish some online store (such as Newegg) made it  easier to figure out which PSUs were switchless and had those pin connections.

Thank you very much, shesagordie!  

I think I will mod the back panel after all, rather than have so few choices (none of Newegg's ATX PSU's >400W are switchless.)

coyote5

Happy to have helped.

Another good point for modding the back panel, buying a power supply w/o the switch, always cost more than a standard ATX unit with the switch. 

Bev.

What tool would make the mod (creating a hole in the back panel for the switch) easiest?  (I've got carpal tunnel, so I'm hoping a power tool will do the trick.)

A power nibbler looks perfect for this!  (Fortunately for me there's a nearby Tool Lending Library where I hope to borrow one for free.)