Two dead Inspiron 530s in 24 hours

I bought two Inspiron 530s in April 2008, and they both packed it in within 24 hours of each other. They no longer turn on. The power button does nothing. The PSU has a green light, the motherboard has a solid amber light, the power button has no light. The green/black pin test on the PSU was "successful," I guess. The PSU fan spun up and the attached hardware powered up. I haven't tested the second computer yet. Not sure what I should do yet. Order new PSUs? But seriously? Two identical computers die 24 hours apart? Of course, after the warranty runs out. Is there a timer in there somewhere?

Yes there is a timer.  Its called a hard drive with spinning platter.

Disconnect the hard drive power and data cable and see if it goes from amber to hard drive not found on the screen.

"With hard drives and other pieces in the system its not a matter of IF they will fail its a matter of WHEN.

If you only use the system 5 minutes a day it may last for years.  If its on 24 x 7 it could die in as little as 1 to 3 years.

Thats why OEM drives have a 1 year warranty.

Heh, I understand. I was more making light of the fact that two computers in different houses with different use patterns died within 24 hours of each other.

I already tried unplugging everything except the motherboard, and there was no joy. I've ordered two new PSUs from NCIX and hopefully that will be the solution.

The systems have a Psychic Link and decided to self destruct just like Romeo and Juliet.

I hate Shakespearean tragedies.

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars... or maybe it's the winter of our discontent...

A power surge in the neighborhood..??

Ron

I guess, maybe. They were 30 km apart, though!