Dell c521 power on problem

Is the power light solid or blinking?  According to the manual <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>, a solid amber power button means:

A pre-POST failure has occurred. The system has received a Power Good signal from the power supply

That would suggest the power supply is ok. So if the light is solid amber, check the color of the 4 diagnostic LEDs on front of the tower when it won't boot. If not all green, look up the error code here.<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

A blinking amber suggests a power supply problem...

Ron

when i get the computer to start and the error codes show up, there are several codes... the sequence goes like this

3 and 4 on together then come off

1 blinks and comes off

2 blinks then comes off

3 blinks then coes off

2 and 4 on together then come off

2 and 3 on an then come off

1234 on then come off

computer starts

what could this mean? several errors?

when i also try to run the dell diagnostic i get a message sayin utility partition does not exist, press any button to boot operating system :(

So are you're saying the power button is solid amber when it won't boot?

The diagnostic LEDs are supposed to blink on/off while it's booting. The only thing that matters is the final LED code when the PC fails to boot.

From the manual:

"...your computer has four lights labeled "1," "2," "3," and "4" on the front panel. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, all four lights display solid green. If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights identify the problem."

You'll have to wait until the next time it won't boot to get the error code.

Have you previously reformatted or replaced this hard drive, meaning there is no Utility partition?

Ron

ok i will give that a try.. i really have a mind its the power supply but i was told it could be the motherboard... i thought from the diagnostic that i would get a blinking power light if was the power supply though... but i greatly appreciate the help

yes its solid amber when the computer does not boot.... i then switch it off and switch it on.... after a few tries it boots and the numbered lights blink randomly in the above sequence... so in other words when it does not boot there is no other light but the solid amber power light

Do you hear the fans start when the power button goes amber and it won't boot?  Could be a failing power supply.

You can try this, but no promises...

Power off and unplug the PC from the wall. Press/hold the power button on the tower for ~15 sec. Open the case and carefully reseat all the cables at both ends. Remove and reseat the RAM modules and PCI cards in their slots. Blow out all the dust bunnies while you're in there too (just don't use a vacuum cleaner!)

Ron

oh yeah the fans start when light is solid amber