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8094
Insperon 531 tries to power on, stops (dust? heat sink/fan?)
My 531 had 3 years of dust inside, so this might have been a self inflicted wound. Last week, the pc started powering down randomly, then it just died and nothing would happen when I pushed the power button. I tried to vacuum the insides and did remove, clean and replace the fan heat sink.
It did power on enough to get a boot screen asking to "repair pc" or "start normally"?
I would like to replace or upgrade this machine but need to get it working enough to get the files off.
If i push the power button now, I get a blue light for a sec, the fan starts to spin and then the system dies.
jsktx
729 Posts
1
May 19th, 2011 13:00
If you really still want to use this machine, then the first place I would approach to fixing it is probably the power supply (PSU). Even though the power button LED comes one when you push doesn't mean the PC is getting enough power. Any ATX power supply will fit in the Inspiron 531. Be sure to get one that has four SATA connectors and around 450 watts. Not necessary to go any higher than that for a power supply. Also get a good one, not a cheap one otherwise you maybe doing this again. Corsair and Antec are pretty good brands.
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
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46K Posts
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May 18th, 2011 09:00
joeranger
You could remove the hard drive and using an USB adaptor similar to THIS and attach the hard drive to a USB port of a working computer and transfer the files and folders to it.
Note: Only data files can be transfered, any applications, utlities and programs, need to be reinstalled from their CD's, or from the publisher's website.
Regards to the Inspiron 531, check the reading of the power button LED, is it Steady Blue, Blinking Blue, Steady Amber, Blinking Amber or is it Off?
Are there any 'Beep's', if there are, please post the sequence of them?
Are there any error messages, if there are, please post the exact text of them?
The Inspiron 531 Troubleshooter is HERE
Bev.
joeranger
33 Posts
0
May 18th, 2011 12:00
Thanks Bev, looks like you are a big help on this board.
I tried to connect the plug to a regular outlet w/o a surge protector because the green light in the back was off. It has always been on before.
The green light came on and the system powered up right away. I got the "repair PC" screen and selected it. After a few minutes in the middle of "fixing disc errors" this might take an hour, it suddenly powered off again. I did not notice what the power LED was doing or take note of any beeps. (I had thought the green light in back was the power LED)
Now when I push the button, an amber light blinks for a sec, the fans spin and it dies.
In the meantime, I will check the troubleshooter and look into an upgraded machine and USB adapter to x-fer files. I would still like to use this machine regardless.
jsktx
729 Posts
0
May 19th, 2011 04:00
try reseating the memory and see if that helps. Keep an eye on the power button and listen for any repeating beeps after you press it.
joeranger
33 Posts
0
May 19th, 2011 08:00
Thanks, but nothing. I still get a quick amber light and the fan spins for a sec. Then nothing.
joeranger
33 Posts
0
June 4th, 2011 16:00
I took it to a local guy who replaced the PSU with a 300w. Seems to be working fine now.
Thanks guys.