DIMENSION 5100 Problem

Question

Hi, I have a dimension 5100 with a pentium 4 processor 630 with HT and all the original setup from when I bought it new and have had problems starting it up. It would take a few presses of the power button before it would start up then once it got into windows xp it would freeze and then I would have to unplug the power cord to reset the system after which it would startup again after a few presses of the power button and work for a few days/weeks before freezing up again gradually this problem got worse and worse to the point where now the computer will not startup at all. When I turn on the computer now all I get is a steady amber/yellow light on the power switch but nothing else happens. The trouble shooting I have down so far is to remove all the cables connecting the hard drive, cd/dvd drive as well as to remove all cards including the video card and memory modules and then replacing them one by one . I have even taken out the i/o panel on the front just incase the power button wasnt hitting it correctly and have reset the cmos and still all I get is the steady amber/light each time I startup the computer. I think I have gotten it down to it either being a motherboard problem, processor failure, power supply failure or possibly the i/o card on the front could be faulty. Im kind of leaning towards the processor being the cause as I still have the green light on the motherboard which indicates power is still getting to it as well as the fan still spins up. If anyone has any ideas on what they think the problem is that would be great to hear your thoughts. regards,

Mary G · Answer

Have you checked the four lights in the back? http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5100/en/sm/tshoot1.htm#wp1120147

x_lab rat · Answer

It's not getting as far as diag lights.  Yellow button means power problem.  But half the power components are on the motherboard, making diagnosis between MB and PS just about a coin flip.  (Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear.)   The gradually-getting-worse trick is most characteristic of capacitors, but other marginal components can make it look the same way.  Also doesn't help much, since both PS and MB have a bunch of capacitors.   The only way to determine with certainty whether PS or MB is bad, is to substitute a known-good one.  I'm leaning toward motherboard on this one, but it's the owner's decision what to try first--power supplies are cheaper.

Apoc_30 · Answer

Thanks mary and rat for your opinions on what my problem might be. Rat your right it isnt getting as far as the diag lights, I swapped out the power supply with another one that I know works and still got the same steady amber/yellow light. So im guessing its a coin flip now between processor or motherboard. Just a question on why do you think it would be motherboard related more so then processor? Any suggestions on a good replacement for the motherboard that comes standard with the Dimension 5100? Im pretty sure I read some where that the chipset is intel 945g express BTX format.

Thanks again for the help.

regards,

x_lab rat · Answer

The yellow button light means power problem, not processor problem.  It's supposed to distinguish between MB and PS by blinking or not blinking but that works about as well as earthquake forecasting, since any shorted power element anywhere makes it look like the PS is not coming up.  Can't rule out processor, but odds greatly favor motherboard.   Dell's MBs are made to Dell's order, to fit the case holes and mounting hardware.  Odds greatly disfavor replacing with a 'standard' motherboard and having it fit.  And the front panel header is custom too--'standard' ones don't drive the features of Dell's front panel--you have to figure out which two wires to short together to make it turn on.  Might be more of an 'adventure' than you'd want to undertake.  Oh, and any Dell install disk will not recognize an aftermarket board, and it will refuse to install.

Apoc_30 · Answer

Well its taken a while and after trying a new motherboard and power supply which didn't fix the problem. I finally got myself a new processor and everything is working to perfection. I hope this helps out anyone who may have similar problems to mine in the future. Thank god this ordeal is over. :-)

regards,

Message Edited by Apoc_30 on 11-25-200602:16 AM

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