Dimension E510 won't boot

According to the Dell manual, LED's 3&4 indicate a memory module failure.  They suggest trying each module, one at a time to try and determine which one has failed. 

 

HERE is the on-line manual.

 

I would try the Dell suggestion with the memory, rather than rely on it working in a different computer.  If that doesn't work it sounds like it MAY be a motherboard.  Unfortunately you are stuck with getting another E510 motherboard as a Retail motherboard will not work (The Dell is (1) BTX not ATX form and (2) a proprietary motherboard with a proprietary and undocumented front panel power switch connection. 

thank you for the response.  As the memory modules are supposed to be installed in pairs, I have tested one pair at-a-time and get the same results.  I can try one module at-a-time but I expect it'll complain.  Otherise, I believe from your post that my problem may be the main board and not the power supply?

Thanks,

bert 

You can use only one memory module at a time.  Just with a Dual core CPU it needs two modules for best performance.  But since you are doing it for testing it's not a problem to only have one installed. 

 

Although there have been a lot of E510/5150 power supplies that have failed, it doesn't appear that is your problem.  If the power supply fails normally you just get a flashing amber power light and nothing else.

Again, thank you for your assistance.  I tried one memory module at a time, and in different DIMM slots, no change with the behavior.  I've now removed a 3.5" floppy drive from the system and am getting different results.  The 4 LEDs cycle through the following pattern repeatedly.

3 & 4; 1, 3 & 4 briefly; 2 & 4; then 1, 2, & 3.  The CD LED starts blinking after the first 3 & 4.  Maybe it's looking for a boot drive but placing a Windows installation CD in the drive doesn't help.  Also, the monitor will now flicker during the sequence as if a signal is present but goes away briefly.  I can't get in to the System setup to check/modify the boot sequence.

 

If I now remove the video card, I get the original behavoir I first reported.  Does getting a new video card make sense?

 

Thanks,

bert 

Some of those error lights are for memory problems, one is for graphics and another is for "none of the above". 

 

Disconnect the CD/DVD drives, unplug and then plug back in the two motherboard connectors (the 24 pin and the 4 pin) and then try powering on and see if that makes any difference.  Just boot with the video and hard drive.  If it still will not work, which lights are lit and if the motherboard has integrated video you could remove the video card and connect the monitor to the integrated video connection (on the motherboard I/O panel if it's there) and see what happens. 

 

Although it would not appear to be a power supply problem, that is the least expensive option compared to a motherboard and with the number of E510 power supplies that have failed you may want to try a new power supply first and if that doesn't do it the motherboard is next (but at least you will have a reliable power supply). 

 

If you go for a power supply, it's a standard ATX model, minimum of 350 watts but I would go for at least a 400 watt.  The supply must have a 24 pin or a 20 plus 4 pin for the motherboard, a 4 pin Molex for the motherboard, IDE (Molex) for the CD/DVD drives, a power connector for the floppy, two SATA power plugs for the hard drives and get one that also has a PCIe (video) power connector in case you ever decide to upgrade the video (these plugs listed are fairly common in Power Supplies designed for current model PC's).

After my previous post (and re-seating the video card) the LEDs "stableized" on 2 & 4 (video problem).  So I thought I was done finding the problem.  However I just tried what you suggested above and get the sequence I previously reported.  I don't have the integrated graphics nor a spare video card to try.

 

I'll get a new power supply as you suggest.  It's disapointing that the diagnostics aren't any better at reporting the problem.  Maybe I'll end up replacing the main board and/or video card before I'm done.

 

Thanks,

bert 

I've now replaced the power supply then motherboard and no change, nothing on the monitor, POST won't start.  I guess the last thing to change is the front panel controller.  This is aggravating as heck.  I do get LEDs 3 & 4 on with 1 flashing consitantly now.  And I tried memory from another computer.  (I now have all drives disconnected and no cards installed.)  Should I try a front panel controller or quit now dumping money for a lost cause?