Inspiron 24-3455, boot problem

Question

One of my clients has an Inspiron 24-3455. This one is setup for the bookkeeper. She is only there once or twice a month. The problem is that when she turns it on, it just sits there and won't boot. This has happened more than once. So, I went over and picked up the computer and have it in my possession.

When I plugged it in at my house, it booted right up (albeit VERY slowly - thanks, Dell, for putting a lame 5,400 RPM drive in a desktop computer). It installed a couple of updates and booted back up every time. Just to try something different, I cloned the hard drive over to an SSD (boots WAY faster now, and programs open WAY faster, too). I am currently running an extended test on the original hard drive.

I am at a loss at to what is causing the computer to not boot. It will usually show the Dell splash screen, then it goes black and just sits there. If anyone knows what I can check on this machine that might be causing issues, your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

P.S. The screen works just fine, so it is not a bad screen. Like I said previously, it booted right up when I got it to my house.

fireberd · Answer

If it works OK at one location and not another, it would appear to be an AC power problem at the "bad" location. These have 65 watt power adapter and we've seen some power problems at marginal locations with the 65 watt adapter. Some users have switched to a higher power (e.g. 85 watt) adapter and resolved problems.

5400 rpm hard drives are common in most brands of PC's, not just Dell. I do some PC support and I've got two users with HP desktops they have the 5400 rpm drives. I have another with a Lenovo and it too has a 5400 rpm drive.

WakkoWarner · Answer

Didn't see the edit button earlier.

WakkoWarner · Answer

I can kind of see that being an issue, but if the machine is powering on, it should just boot. I can take a multi meter with me when I take the computer back and check the power to see if it is low (the home is only about 2 years old in a new subdivision, so I would hope that they got the power right).

As far as the 5,400 RPM drives, these Inspiron 24 models are the first desktops I have seen with the slow hard drives in them. All of the other desktops that I have run across have 3.5" 7,200 RPM drives or SSDs in them. Manufacturers sure seem to find ways to rip people off (no AMD A series processor should ever be paired with anything less than a 7,200 RPM drive - they need as much speed help as they can get).

Since I am powering it on after it being powered down for only a short time, I wonder if that plays a role in the problem. It will remain powered off for 2 weeks at a time when it is at my client's house.

fireberd · Answer

Is the power supply ('brick' as some call them) unplugged when not in use or is it left connected to the AC power? (it should be disconnected from the AC power).   Try that at your location.  Disconnect it from the AC power and let it sit over night.  Try it in the morning. As far as the AC power at a new home.  It should be OK, but I've seen mis-wired AC power receptacles and other problems in new homes that were not caught by inspectors.

WakkoWarner · Answer

There are actually two other computers in that same room - one of which is an Inspiron 24-3455 (I think the other one is an HP all in one).  The AC power stays plugged in all the time on the all of the computers.  I may just let it sit for a couple of days without being powered on and see what happens.

WakkoWarner · Answer

I let the computer sit for 2 days and powered it back on - it booted fine. I have run the hardware tests twice - it passed both times. I have run 2 extended tests on the hard drive and it passed both times. So, I think that leaves what may be a power issue.

Can you provide me with the part number for the 85 watt AC adapter?? When I return the computer to the client, I may use the adapter off of his other Inspiron 24-3455, just to see what happens. If his main computer starts having the same issue, then I will know it is the adapter.

fireberd · Answer

I don't have a Dell part number for a higher wattage power supply.

However Amazon lists this 90 watt power supply as compatible. I can't guarantee it, only what I found doing a search.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJ26FHY/ref=psdc_11041841_t2_B075374TYD

WakkoWarner · Answer

I was able to locate genuine Dell power supplies on eBay by searching for W12C 90W.  There are plenty of them on there for less than $20 shipped.  I will tell the client about it when I take the computer back.

WakkoWarner · Answer

When I took the computer back to him, we swapped power supplies between this one and his other identical computer. The problem has continued. Another thing that happened today is that the accountant left for about 30 minutes and when she returned, the computer would not wake up.

My client is not happy and I need to get this figured out. There has to be something that is causing the problem that can be diagnosed without difficulty. I think he is going to have me install his accounting software on his other computer and get rid of this one.

Is there anything else that can cause the issues that have been happening?? Since it initially powers on and shows the Dell splash screen, I am having a hard time believing it is a power supply issue.

I forgot to add that I checked the power at his house when I was there last. The voltage is very good, so there is no power problem.

ya_boi_lucas · Answer

This should make it work, but it will require a fresh install.

somehow dell broke uefi, or windows did.

The problem is if you use windows 10 usb creator, it tends to format the boot usb in GPT. If you select the boot usb made from the media creation tool under the legacy boot menu in bios, it will overrule you and boot in UEFI mode, even if you told the bios to use legacy mode. At least that what the problem was for me.

You need to force a legacy mode install.

You need to download an ISO file from the windows media creator, not use it to create the usb.

Use Rufus, under partition scheme select MBR.

MBR is only compatible with BIOS and UEFI-CSM. This forces the install as a BIOS install as opposed to uefi, I think. It's what worked for me.

A way to tell if the install was UEFI or BIOS / legacy boot is the disk partitions after the fact.

Uefi will have an "EFI" partition. Bios/legacy will not.

The problem I had was an ssd would not boot from a clean install at all. "forcing legacy mode" as I call it, solved the problem.

WakkoWarner · Answer

The client has a second machine (identical) that is now exhibiting the same problem (he purchased it new).  I told his accountant to have him order the 90 watt power supply for each one, to see if that will correct the issue.  It is making me wonder if there isn't a design flaw with this particular model.

carteks · Answer

Hello I seem to be having the same problem. was this ever resolved?

My inspiron 24-3455 will randomly shut off, and the only way to get it to power back on is to remove the power cable and hold the power button, and then plug power cable back in and turn it on, it is very very annoying.

Thank you

WakkoWarner · Answer

The problem was never resolved.  The customer had a second identical computer that he purchased new and it started doing the same thing as his other one.  I firmly believe that this is a problem that is known to Dell, but they will not do anything to make it right with their customers.

carteks · Answer

Agreed. This is too widespread for There to be no resolution.

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Inspiron 24-3455, boot problem

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