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Dell XPS 600 Startup Problem
Hi,
Ok for about a year now, after I've put on my PC, I would always have to restart it straight away. If not it would hard restart after about 10 minutes (I was told the pc power supply was the cause).
But now when I put the pc on. This happens:
The fan goes into overdrive mode making so much noise and my pc won't boot up into windows (I have a suspicion it is the power supply in my pc)
The power on button stays "amber" whereas it usually turns "green" when starting up.
Do you think it's the power supply? And is it easily replaceable.
My PC Stats are:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz
XPS 600, PD, 830 (3.00GHZ) 2X1MB, EM64T
MEMORY DUAL CHANNEL 2048MB (4X512) 667MH
250GB SATA (7200RPM) HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTS 250
When I first put on the electricity the number 4 lights up.
Then when I turn the power off then on again 3 lights up!
The fan in question is under the green box on the bottom right of the picture:
The close up of the fan:
Thanks.
RoHe
10 Elder
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July 4th, 2011 18:00
Is the power button blinking or solid amber?
From the manual:
If the power light is blinking amber, the computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem might exist. Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable). Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board.
If the power light is steady amber, a device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed. Remove and then reinstall the memory modules. Remove and then reinstall any cards. Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable.
LED 4 by itself isn't a documented error code. LED 3 by itself may mean: A possible processor failure has occurred.
If you meant you get 3+4, that's a RAM error, so try reseating the RAM modules in their slots.
Instructions to replace the PSU are here.
Ron
Davet50
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July 4th, 2011 18:00
there is not diagnostic code of 4 by it self but there is a 3 which indicates a CPU failure.
Is the amber light on solid or flashing?
What you can try is to remove all your ram sticks and cards and then power on the system and see if you get any different diagnostic light sequence. If you do refer to the codes show HERE.
If not it could be either your CPU or your motherboard that is the fault
Arjento
8 Posts
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July 5th, 2011 18:00
It's a solid amber and number 4 lights up on it's own.
I'll pull out the ram and let you know the results soon.
Arjento
8 Posts
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July 11th, 2011 12:00
I will try removing all my plug in cards (sorry I'm not familiar with the insides of the machine and hope I don't mess anything up) and post my results.
In the event that I buy a new desktop machine, how could I transfer my data from the old hard disk?
Arjento
8 Posts
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July 11th, 2011 12:00
Ok I removed all my RAM then started the system.
Same thing happens and the number 4 stays on constant.
What's the next step?
Davet50
14.4K Posts
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July 11th, 2011 12:00
Do your system fans spin up? have you removed all your plug in cards and disconnected the power connection to all of your drives.
If you fans spin up it is a pretty good sign that your power supply is good and then it would be the motherboard. If the fans do not spin up then I would suspect the power supply.
RoHe
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July 11th, 2011 13:00
Here's the manual for removing/installing hardware in the XPS 600. While you're stripping it down, disconnect the optical drives, etc too. Strip it down leaving only bare essentials to boot, eg: hard drive, RAM, video card, and CPU.
You could install the old drive as a secondary drive in the new system. You could use it there as additional storage, or remove it after you copy the files over to the new hard drive. Alternatively you could install the old drive in an external housing that connects to the new PC via USB.
Ron
RoHe
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July 11th, 2011 13:00
One more thing.
After you strip it down, remove the motherboard battery and press/hold power button on tower for ~30 sec. Then reinstall the battery (right-side-up). Maybe that will clear the error message.
Always power off, unplug and press/hold power button for ~15 sec before working inside the case.
Ron
Dellio
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July 11th, 2011 17:00
Hi, Speaking of system error messages, my friend had had a few problems with his XPS600. Ever since he bought his system, and every time he booted up, he would get this WARNING- system battery Voltage low, Press F1 to continue...you know the rest. Could it be that his cmos cell CR2032 battery is defective when he received his system from Dell?
When I get over to his house, check the battery and if it is securely set in position, if, so, I'll replace it, OR firstly, by clearing the BIOS or updating the BIOS get rid of this annoying boot procedure? Does the error message always mean it's the cmos board battery? Thanks.
RoHe
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July 11th, 2011 18:00
It either means the battery is dying or maybe the CMOS chip's voltage sensor doesn't read the voltage correctly.
I'd hold off on updating BIOS because, if the chip is defective, you could brick the motherboard by flashing a new version.
So test the battery first. If it tests ok, remove it and press/hold power button for ~30 sec to clear BIOS and maybe that will also clear this error message.
Ron
Arjento
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July 12th, 2011 01:00
Do I have to put the power back on before I hold the power button for ~30 seconds?
RoHe
10 Elder
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July 12th, 2011 10:00
NO -
Power off and unplug
Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
Open the case and remove the battery
Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
Reinstall the battery
Close the case and see if it boots properly with only mouse, monitor and keyboard attached.
Ron
speedstep
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July 12th, 2011 10:00
Look for Bad Caps on the motherboard.
Arjento
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July 16th, 2011 11:00
Hi all,
Got an update.
I did manage take most of the parts out, the only part i left in were the processor, the main circuit board, and the power supply.
I got some pics that may help.
I take it this is the motherboard
A close up of the processor (looks worn out)
The heat sink
Bottom of the heat sink (connects to the processor)
A far out view with the heat sink already taken out
Is this bad caps?
After removing some of these my system still doesn't start and number 4 showing.
Any ideas what it could be?
Thanks.
RoHe
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July 16th, 2011 18:00
CPU and heat sink just have remnants of old thermal paste, which should be removed and replaced with a thin, fresh coat of thermal paste (eg Arctic Silver) before the heat sink is reinstalled.
That bottom picture has a suspicious capacitor with a brown spot at the center of the "K". It's on the right side of the photo. 3rd from right in the bottom row of 4 capacitors. And the first one from the right in the row above, assuming that it is/was a capacitor looks like it melted.
Afraid, you may need a new motherboard... :emotion-9:
Ron