4600, No Power Up

Question

Hey, I have a Dell Dimension 4600 and very recently when I try to turn it on, nothing happens. I get no lights in the back, and no blinking amber light in the front. The only light is the green led on the motherboard. I have tried taking out all unnecessary hardware, and have tried removing the battery. Nothing. I suspect the PSU, but I would like to get a final conformation before I go and order a new one.

DevilsGT2 · Answer

I just got off the phone with Dell Tech Support and they too have concluded that it is the power supply. Right now I am looking at this power supply as the replacement:   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103449   Am I right not to go with the Dell Brand PSU? Is this a good choice for a PSU?

shesagordie · Answer

DevilsGT2.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_other&message.id=238933

As the D-4600 has an open back, if your system is not under warranty, you can use most generic ATX PSUs with or without the on/off power switch. Check out the Antec power supply line.

Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

DevilsGT2. Go with the Enermax. Bev.

Mike Drelicharz · Answer

I had this same problem last week.  This board was very helpful.  Many PSUs will work because of the 4600 open back.  I went with a MadDog 350W that I purchased from compusa.  It was $60 and had $40 in rebates and discounts.  It installed just fine and works well.   I understand a lot of 4600 PSUs have been dying lately.

ericl · Answer

My brother had the same problem. It is not the power supply, but the motherboard that was bad. A quick and dirty fix is to use a paper clip and touch and let go pins 8 and 14 together on the DC Power Connector P1 to start the computer. (I did it and it works!)
http://docs.us.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/4600/sm/techov.htm#1084976

Poultsy · Answer

I've tried jumping pins 8 and 14 and have confirmed the PS is good (PS fan comes on and power is sent to the CD-ROM). I was unable to start the PC though. Is there a way to jump the power switch pins on the mobo to verify if the switch itself is good or bad?

ericl · Answer

With P1 plugged onto the motherboard, slide the paperclip down the side of the wires until it touches the pins.

Poultsy · Answer

I did that...still wont boot up.  I'm under the assumption the mobo is pooched, however power is being sent to it as the green light on the mobo comes on when P1 is plugged into it.  If you have any other suggestions I'll be more than willing to test them out. Message Edited by Poultsy on 08-23-2005 07:55 PM

ericl · Answer

Sorry, The paper clip trick worked for me. I thought my problem was the mother board until I took a closer look and noticed that not all of my drives were getting power. So I bought a new power supply and it fixed my problem!
Good luck!

modiste · Answer

Is it just me, or is this board full of this problem and not only with the 4600's??? Why can't Dell give us all a real answer to the problem? :womanmad: Frusterated!

detram01 · Answer

I to have a 4600 about two years old and when I press the start button absolutely nothing happens. I took out the power supply and jumped pins14 and 15 and it started up. I checked the output 12 and 5Volt outputs and everything seems to be fine. I understand that the motherboards are proprietary so (is it true?) I have to replace this motherboard with another Dell? My concern about this is will I have to replace it again in another two years?   Has anybody else replaced their motherboard with a Dell?

Poultsy · Answer

Can anyone verify the question of whether the mobo's are proprietary?  I'm just about to order another mobo..but I don't want to order it if it's not going to be any good to me.

detram01 · Answer

I called Dell Tech Support and she said it was the power supply or, in my opinion, her check list she was reading off said it probably was the power supply. I took the power supply out and bench tested it and it's working fine. I called Dell to replace the mother board and asked if any other manufacturers mother board will fit or work with my machine and he said 'No, only Dell mother boards will work in the machine.'

modiste · Answer

I do not believe this is true...you just need to know which one will fit in the computer you have. But I'm not an expert...

amani61 · Answer

hey sup...

My pc has exactly the same problem. It's a 4600 as well. Have you fixed urs?? If so, please tell me how you went about it. So far i've tried using different PSUs and Graphics cards but they dont seem to be the problem...

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4600, No Power Up

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