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December 21st, 2005 22:00
Boot Problem Dell Dimension 4550
I'm having a problem with my 3-4 year old Dell Dimension 4550. It turns on like normal to boot, and then suddenly shuts off. Then a few seconds later it goes to turn on again. However, the monitor never turns on... it stay with its "yellow" light. Now I've checked to make sure the video card it pluged in, and hasn't become loose. Its fine. I've tried other monitors, so its not the card or the monitor. I'm pretty sure it has to be something within the computer, because the shutting off and on is quite strange. Any advice or suggestions where to go with this?
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shesagordie
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December 21st, 2005 22:00
What is the sequence of the diagnostic LEDs at the back of the case?
Jbirk
339 Posts
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December 22nd, 2005 06:00
I second the opinion of the dude who has 13 thousand posts. You should check your power button lights. You should also check the back and note the colors of the A, B, C, D lights if your system has those lights. I don't want to look your system up in eDocs.
Either way, you should attempt to diagnose the problems via the Dell Diagnostic lights if possible. If you have all solid green light(s) then the eDocs don't really help.
I would assume the powersupply if I had nothing else to go on. I would, however, suggest you look at the motherboard and physically examine it. If you see bulging capacitors or leaking capacitors (cylindrical units) that may be the problem. I am still leaning towards the power supply.
After making a diagnoss, you will probably need a power supply. If you are under warrantee, contact Dell for Dispatch. If you are not under warrantee, you can order from spare parts. I do not know what a power supply costs, but expect to pay $25 to $75 (if they are gready and overcharge). You may also have to pay for DHL/Airborne shipping. Upon reciving your part, your choices are self install, Dell Tech Install, or take it somewhere.
It is your judgement call. Typically a power supply replacement involves unplugging the comptuer, observing static cautions, and unplugging all the connections from drives and the motherboard and then putting the new one in. It is strait forward. I honestly think you can probably do it yoruself even though it isn't a user servicable component. To be honest, a power supply is the most difficult thing to replace because you have a rats nest of wires with plugs. You have to figure out how to put it in correctly and not pinch wires or have unclamped cables... The best thing to do is put it in exactly how the bad one was taken out.
I am assuming this is a power supply, BTW. All in all, you can more than likely diagnose this problem within 5 to 10 minutes. Spend all afternoon talking to Dell and locating the correct spare part. I.e. if you tell them you need a power supply, it may take them time to locate your part number. Next, you have to pay for the part... and they ship it. You should get it the next day (unless they are slower for you than they are for us) and can install it in 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on your use of caution, level of experience, and how neatly you want to install it. I would estimate you can fix this problem in less than 2 days and under $50 if you correctly diagnose, order the right part, and do the work yourself.
Obviously, if you pay Dell to send a Tech, take your computer somewhere to have it installed, mis-diagnose and order the wrong part... You will spend more time and money fixing your problem. You should start with a rock-solid diagnosis before you order parts and possibly pay for somebody elses labor to install the part.
Please note I have not made your diagnosis because all I have to go on is a system that shuts off. I simply pointed at a probable cause. If this were my system and I was goign to pay to fix it, I would definitly check the lights too to verify my hypothesis/theory of what is wrong. I see your system does have ABCD lights in eDocs. Check that out and the power button light colors.
Good Luck
-Justin
Message Edited by Jbirk on 12-22-2005 02:25 AM
Jbirk
339 Posts
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December 22nd, 2005 06:00
I cannot guarantee success, but it shouldn't hurt.
Check all cables.
Re-Seat memory (especially if it makes audible tones) :)
You can try the num lock, caps lock, scroll lock, alt e f b thing. You can look up the article on resetting to factory defaults...
It cannot hurt. My frind seems to think it couldn't hurt upgrading your BIOS to if a newer version comes out.
He works for the same company I do and is a good tech. However, we both concur that you should not upgrade your BIOS if your system shuts off randomly. That would create another headache for you if your system shut off in the middle of that update.
So, don't update your BIOS. It is too riskey. :)