Gx 270 problems

Question

ok for some reason my Gx 270 for some reason just turns off by itslef but the light is still on. and every time i try to do a virus scan or get on the internet it just turns off. would anybody have any idea why this is happening?

Dev Mgr · Answer

Check the motherboard around the processor. Check if the capacitors are bulging and/or leaking (brown fluid coming out of the top).

If so, you'll need to replace the motherboard (covered under warranty if you still have a warranty).

udontseeme · Answer

I was having a similar problem with one of mine.  It would randomly shut down, and when I restarted it would tell me I had a thermal event.  All of the fans are working correctly, so should I presume that is a motherboard issue as well?

ManyDimensions · Answer

No... Upon a thermal event it is likely that a PSU related problem is evident. If a thermal event was tied to the processor cooling system the fan would race before shutting down the system or constantly race.

misstechietech · Answer

I work in a computer lab full of 270s, and I was getting the thermal event.  Dell said it was the motherboard, and I had them all replaced.  Now they work fine.  As someone else said, check the capacitors on the motherboard to see if they 'exploded' -- it almost looks like an exploded battery.  If so, then the motherboard needs to be replaced.

udontseeme · Answer

Yep, I didn't see it first glance but half of the capacitors are leaking brown fluid. Arrg. Last week my GX270 at home starts getting Keyboard errors in POST and this week the capacitors on my GX270 at work explode. Are these things on a timer or something?

miono · Answer

The motherboards of GX270 aren't really the best motherboards ever created :)

If you experience problems like random shutdowns, thermal events, IDE-devices not found etc. Check the capacitors on the motherboard. If they are bulging/leaking don't hesitate to call Dell Support and get replacements..

Even if the computer no longer is under warranty Dell has prolonged the warranty for the motherboards on GX270 and GX280.

Prolonged warranty lasts until 1 january 2008 or when the machine is 5 years old, whichever comes first.

//miono

Edit: The prolonged warranty is also for SX270 / SX280

Message Edited by miono on 01-28-200702:01 PM

udontseeme · Answer

Wow, thanks for the info on the prolonged warranty!!!   The one died TWO DAYS after it's 3 year warranty was over.  I already purchased a new computer, but I'll definitely follow up on the new motherboard.   I would wish that I hadn't spent 1,500 on a new computer, but I really needed something better (and a free 20' monitor upgrate of course). Now i'll have a back-up too.

misstechietech · Answer

I didn't know about the prolonged warranty, either.  That's great information.  Thanks for posting it.

miono · Answer

I have no good explanation to this. But it's actually pretty common that the system operates fine outside of the operating system. It might be that the computer has to work harder when in the OS... Thus causing the shutdown.

rdooley · Answer

Hey folks, I've got a GX 270 that's having thermal event shutdowns and it indeed has 4 capacitors on the motherboard that are beginning to leak. I will contact Dell regarding a replacement but have one question to throw out; During troubleshooting activities I had this PC running in Set Up mode and other times running Dell diags and the PC never had a thermal (or other) shutdown, even when it ran for hours on end. It was only when I booted the system up into the OS (XP) that it would have the thermal shutdowns, which it does every time the PC boots to the OS. Leaking caps strike me as being a hardware issue that would cause this problem to manifest itself all the time, not just when the system was running the OS. Any thoughts out there on this, please?   Thanks, Rich

Bluegrassman · Answer

Thanks for your post.  Was having problems with the GX270.  Called DELL and they replaced motherboard under warranty even though it had ran out in 2006.  Thanks again for your help.  The techs I talked to at DELL were extremely helpful and informative.  Will recommend DELL to all my friends.

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Gx 270 problems

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