Optiplex GX620 doesn't start...

wild_child

There are four versions of the Optiplex GX620, which one do you have?

A blinking amber power LED, usually indicates a bad power supply

Are any of the four diagnostic lights lite?

Does the power supply fan work?

The Optiplex GX620 Diagnostic Guide and Troubleshooter, is HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Bev.

Thanks for your reply, I got the version as Mini Tower, don't now if theres a special description or serial number.

When I open the body a small light on the mainboard "AUX/PWR" is also steady amber...

wild_child

Are any of the four diagnostic lights located on the front panel lite?

Bev.

No, none of them is lite.

Also the fan isn't working. I checked everything inside (maindboard, hard disk ...) and had a look inside the power supply but I can't find anything wrong...

wild_child

Sounds like a power supply failure.

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 know 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, if power supply's fan and the hard drive runs, 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 change in the diagnostic lights, then it would appear that the motherboard has died.

Bev.

Thanks a lot for your support.

I made the following:

1.) Unplugged the whole PSU, connected the green and black wire from the 24-pin power connector and processor's and psu's fan are working --> PSU should be working

2.) Reconnected the 24-pin connector after I removed all the PCI-Cards, memory and hard disk, only blinking amber at the front panels power button and the mainboards AUX_POWER-light is lite. No diagnostic lights are on and I don't get any beep codes.

So as you said it seems as if my motherboard has died :emotion-12: - next time I'll buy HP...

wild_child

That's a bummer.  :emotion-6:

Are you intending to replace the motherboard?

Bev.

Well, the problem is that my pc is out of warranty for 3 month now, and I'm not an expert in these things. So on the one hand there would be the dell support which might be quite expensive, but a whole new PC would cost even more so I think I'll replace it.

Let's have a try at the Dell Support Hotline first :emotion-1:

wild_child

When you checked the power supply, did the hard drive run, as well as the fans?

A 'Refurbished' Dell Optiplex GX620 Mini Tower MT Motherboard, can be purchased from HERE

Bev.

Thanks a lot for your support so far.

Today I called the Dell Support Hotline, they told me I should test another PSU, thats the only way to be sure that the problem is not based at the PSU. Additionally they'll send me an offer for a new PSU and Mainboard. I'll try to get another PSU tomorrow and have a try again.

Does anyone know if a standard ATX PSU fits into a Optiplex Midi Tower Body or are there any limitiations so I'll have to by a Dell PSU?

wild_child

The Optiplex GX620 Mini Tower does not use a Dell proprietary power supply, you can use most standard generic ATX power supplies with either a 24-pin or 20+4-pin main motherboard power connector and four SATA power connectors, this can be purchased from most local, or online computer stores.

As this system has an open back panel, a power supply with or without the on/off switch can be used.

Bev.

Ok, will have a try today, and it works I'll give you feedback.

Hope it's the PSU :emotion-40:

wild_child

Yep, that would be great, as replacing the the power supply would be the easy fix.

Bev.

wild_child

Yep, that would be great, as replacing the power supply would be the easy fix.

Bev.

Okay, I made a test with an ATX PSU, the problem is that the only one I found so far is a PSU with an 20 pin power supply connector and no SATA-plugs. Put out all the memory, cards etc, put the connector into the mainboard and the power button is steady amber. The user manual says something like "system defect or wrong installed hardware". AUX_PWR is still steady amber...

Is this a good or bad sign?

I will contact a colleague tomorrow who would get me a 24-pin psu for a real test...