Rkin wrote:

I have a 4 year-old Dimension 8400 P4 630 with a 256 MB Nvidia GeForce6800 card which has functioned perfectly until today, when it just died suddenly. When I attempted power it back up, the amber power light blinks (the fan cannot be heard so I assume it's not running) and the four lights in back are out.

The service manual indictaes the possibility of a "pre-bios failure" but is otherwise non-specific. Has the power supply failed? If so, are there any suggestions as to a suitable replacement? Anything else I should try prior to buying a new PSU?
Appreciate any suggestions.
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A blinking Amber power button LED, usually means the power supply is receiving proper input voltage, but is having an output failure. Replacing the power supply, is usually the answer.

Note: Before replacing the power supply, open the case and check power cables, by removing and reseating them, also check for any charred or burnt connectors.

If you are comfortable around computers, you try testing it.

Unplug the cord from the power supply, hold the power button in for about 15/20 seconds, open the case, unplug the 24-pin connector from the motherboard and jump the Green wire to one of the Black wires, reconnect the power cord and if power supply fan and hard drive runs, then the PSU should be good.

Note: Do not remove any wires from the plug, use a small piece of wire or a paper clip as a jumper.

You should be able to buy a Dell OEM D-8400, 350w power supply for $28± plus S&H, from Dell Spare Parts.

Bev.


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Rkin

Pleased to hear that the problem is resolved and thank you for the heads up. :)

Bev.


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I have the same failure, same simptoms. therefore, i will try to follow your friend indications.

I hope it will work!!!

It's a pain in the neck let me tell you.

 

THANK YOU,

 

mario

 

Mario.

Good lucky, I hope everything goes well.

While you have the case open, check the motherboard for any capacitors with bulging tops or are leaking and for any burnt or charred power connectors.

Bev.


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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Hello people....   I have had my Dimension 8400 without supply for more than one week, my brother arrives home ready to fix the problem (he knows a lot of PC's); and... Do you want to know what happen?   We begin following the manual instructions: to review every single wire (connection) attach to the Dell's motherboard. 

All of a sudden... the Dimension began to do this nice noise... engine. lights,... it was working perfectly!!! 

So... as a final conclusion; you should review every single connection before going to by the power supply (Power Supply Part No PS-6351-1D-F-S). You will see… it works!!!

Hey all,

 

I had the same symptoms, flashing amber light, all the LED's on the back were off. 50% of the time I could hear a fan just start to spin for an instant when I hit the power button.
There was also a burnt smell in my case. I was ready to order a new power supply like the rest of you, but I thought I should check all the connections as recommended above.

 

To my surprise, after re-doing all the connections I hit the power button and immediatly saw a thick cloud of smoke coming off the video card (6mo old EVGA 8600GTS).

 

I pulled it out and sure enough it was burned up.

 

I put the stock x800gt video card in and she booted right up!

 

cliff notes: I had the same symptoms but it was caused by a defective video card.