Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
9475
July 31st, 2012 20:00
Computer Won't Start
I've seen this problem on the forum but not quite exactly like this...
Computer is about 4 years old, a Dell Studio 540. The other day I powered it on and it did what it usually does:
Beep
Beep
Beep Beep
The power light in the back is green, as normal. The power light in the front is solid white.
The only differences are that the fan is raging at a high speed, very loud. And nothing comes up on the monitor.
I've tried unplugging, hitting the power button, and then trying again.
No change...I can't get past this step.
Should I open it up? How do I know what to look for?
I don't know if it's the motherboard batter, RAM modules, the motherboard, or what.
Any ideas?
0 events found
DELL-Satya P
803 Posts
0
August 1st, 2012 06:00
Hi portocac,
Welcome to the Community.
If the power button light is Solid White it means the system is functional and in the On state.
Please make sure the display cables are properly plugged in.
Check the same monitor on a different system.
Re-seat the memory modules. Try to start the system with each memory stick separately to isolate if the issue is with the memory stick or the memory slots.
Dell Studio 540 System Manual: support.dell.com/.../index.htm
Run Dell hardware diagnostics: Start the system and hit F2 on the Dell logo screen, select the option Diagnostics. Please make a note of any error messages that you get and reply back.
portocac
3 Posts
0
August 1st, 2012 20:00
Thanks for the quick suggestion! I haven't been able to try the monitor on another system, but I did switch out the memory modules and re-started and nothing changed.
Cleaned out the system (there was some dust) and got it down to the video card fan: that's what's making the loud, steady noise. I turn the system on and the fan goes on super loud right away. The monitor never gets a signal, just says it's in sleep mode. It's like the output of the video card just isn't working. I will try to connect the monitor to a different computer and see what happens.
I'm thinking something is up with my video card...
portocac
3 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2012 07:00
OK here is what I've managed to figure out:
I connected the PC to the monitor via the good ol' VGA cord, and it works just fine. So I know the monitor is OK and the video card is the problem.
Is there a way I can diagnose the video card to see if it's fried or if it's salvageable?
Thanks!
Carlos
DELL-Satya P
803 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2012 10:00
Hi Carlos,
Glad to know that you were able to isolate the issue between the monitor and video card.
Perhaps the only way to check the video card functionality is by trying it on a similar good known system, if that is an option.
If the system has a discrete PCIe graphics card, remove it, and connect the monitor to the integrated graphics port using a VGA cable.
System Manual for Studio 540: support.dell.com/.../index.htm
Hope this information is helpful.