optiplex GX 280, black screen, fan turns loud, nu hard disklight

 srizzuto1

Did you perform a clean reinstall of XP, followed by installing all the compatible XP drivers?

A better forum to post this in, is the Software & Operating > Microsoft OS forum HERE, this forum is for Desktop Hardware.

Bev.

I think it's a hardware problem, because I dont see nothing on my screen and the light of the harddisk doesn't turn on.

I put in a new harddisk, I installed windows 7 wihtout any problem. I could also surf on the internet, but It didn't recognise my windows 7 validation code because it was an upgrade code and not a clean install code.

So I had to install first windows xp and over XP then windows 7.

So by trying to install windows xp, install screen told me that the partition c: had only 130 gb, while the disk is 500 gb, so I deleted the C: partition and then the problem begon...

The fan kept on turning and nothing else :) :) :)

So hardware or software fault I don't know...

 srizzuto1

There are five different versions of the GX280, what is yours?

See HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Try checking the power button LED and five Diagnostic lights.

The Optiplex GX280 Troubleshooter and Diagnostic Guide, is HERE <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Did you delete all the exsisting partitions when prompted by XP?

How to carry out a clean reinstall of XP.

First, disconnect all the peripherals from the system, except the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

You can use the Dell's Guide for a Manual Reinstallation of windows HERE and maybe this interactive guide for a clean reinstall of XP HERE can help.

While installing, remember to delete all existing partitions when you are prompted, then recreate the partitions and format the hard drive, following by installing XP.

 After installing XP, you need to install the drivers and applications in the correct order, see HERE.

A hint: After installing each driver, restart the system.

Followed by installing the Anti Virus utility, updating the definitions, then all the critical Microsoft updates.

Bev.

I have a small desktop pc.

I don't get the dell logo, it stays black, na letters or figures on the screen...

 srizzuto1

What is the reading of the four diagnostic lights on the computer's case back panel?

What colour is the power button LED, is it solid, or blinking?

Are there any 'Beeps"?

Have you checked/read the Troubleshooter and Diagnostic guide, I posted?

Bev.

they're al black.

orange blinking

no beeps, but in the beginning there were beeps

yes,

tried also the jumpers, and battery but no result

???

they're al black. orange blinking no beeps, but in the beginning there were beeps yes, tried also the jumpers, and battery but no result ???

srizzuto1

A blinking amber power button LED and the four diagnostic lights not lite, can indicate either a power supply or motherboard failure.

First, open case and check that all the power connectors to the drives and motherboard are properly connected, by removing and reconnecting them, then see if this makes a difference.

No difference and if you are comfortable working around computers, you could try the following:

Note: The only 100% method of testing a PSU, is to install a known working power supply.

Unplug the cord from the power supply, hold the power button in for about 15/20 seconds, open the case, unplug the 20-pin power connector from the motherboard and jump the Green wire to one of the Black wires, reconnect the power cord and power the system on, if power supply's fan and the hard drive run, 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.

Power supply checks out and the system still does not work, again remove the power cord, hold the power button in for several seconds to discharge the residue power, reconnect the 20-pin connector to the motherboard.

Remove all the PCI cards, the video card [if applicable], memory, all peripherals, disconnect the data and power cables to all the drives, check that the front panel cable is connected to motherboard, with nothing else connected to the system, reconnect the power cable and power the system on.

If you do not get any beep codes and/or there is no change in the diagnostic lights, it would appear that the motherboard has died.

Note: The Dell Optiplex GX 280 small desktop version, supports a Dell proprietary power supply, a Dell OEM refurbished PSU can be purchased, from HERE

Bev.

XP to WIN7 will require a CLEAN install.  There are no upgrades of XP to 7.   If you disconnect the hard drive it should give an error.  However this model is the one with bad capacitors.

I have a similar situation.

I have a Dell Optiplex GX280, the small tower. And due to a leaky roof, what fell on the computer. It was off at the time, but it made a strange noise before I unplugged it. I openned it and nothing seems disturbed.

A couple of days later, I plugged it in and some strange things are happening.

If I press the power button, it stays amber instead of blue and nothing powers up. The light remains on, no flashing, but the screen stays black. If I press the power button on and off a few times at a normal interval, eventually the computer does turn on. It reaches the desktop. But after a while the computer freezes. That's what usually happens.

Once in a while, if I press the power button and the light stays amber, I could hear the internal fan suddenly go turbo fast then it stops.

When I initially openned the computer, it looks like the water hit the video card. But eventually when I turned on the computer, nothing looked wrong with the video.

AFter reading the previous person's tech problem I figured that the motherboard might have partially fried but I never saw any damage on it.

The hard drive is new, but when I tried to figure out why the computer was freezing, I did a chkdsk /f and saw a reference of a few kb in bad sectors. Also, now that I think about it, when I set it to scandisk or boot and scan the hard drive for problems the first time. I did notice the computer detected damaged files. I restarted the computer and did a scan again. And the files were still reported damaged. Eventually I deleted them, they were not important files.

That's when I thought the computer was ok and I started the pc many times. And 2/3 of the time the amber light turns on instead of the usual blue light. And when I do get a blue light, the computer reaches the desktop and eventually freezes again.

It sounds like a bad hard drive but it doesnt explain the light when I power up the computer and why sometimes the fan goes hyper.

What do you think?

Alex

"Fan goes into Airplane Mode and desktop attempts to take off on the runway = BAD CAPACITORS or the heatsink has become detached"

I'll check, but I couldn't find a bad capacitor on the motherboard. A few months ago, I had a  monitor that started acting up and eventually stopped working. I did some research and found a website that sold caps package specific to the repair of my specific model. And when I openned the monitor, the caps that had to be replaced were obvious. With the kit, it included instructions and identification of the caps. I didn't see anything like that. But ill look again.

But it doesn't explain the rest, or I guess it does. It must be the motherboard somehow.

Alex

Capacitors that leak brown glop out the bottom are harder to see than the ones that ooze brown from the top vent.

Dell was replacing these boards up to Jan 2008.

When the system boots it does not post and the fan either gets gradually louder or goes immediately into jet engine speed.

The power light on the front gives a solid amber glow and the diagnostic lights above the usb ports do not light up at all.

"

Extended warranty good until January 2008 or 5 years from date of purchase, which ever is longer.

Dell phone number to call: 1-800-822-8965.

Dell OptiPlex™ SX270 / GX270 / GX280

Out of Warranty Support Program

Dell™ will provide out of warranty coverage in North, Central and South America for OptiPlex™SX270(UFF), GX270, GX280 systems with failed motherboards due to expanding or leaking capacitors for 5 years from date of purchase, or until 31-January-2008, whichever comes first.

We request that customers with qualifying systems contact Dell Technical Support at 1-800-822-8965. Please note, affected parts will not be dispatched through the WPD program and therefore will not be eligible for labor reimbursement.

For Systems Under Warranty

If a desktop computer listed in the "Products Affected" section has a failed motherboard exhibiting expanding or leaking capacitors, contact Dell Technical Support to have the motherboard replaced as per the existing Warranty Service coverage contract.

For Systems Out of Warranty

If a desktop computer listed in the "Products Affected" section has a failed motherboard exhibiting expanding or leaking capacitors and is still within the time period described below, contact Dell Technical Support to have the motherboard replaced at no charge per Dell's Next Business Day service coverage program.

The motherboard replacement program is valid for 5 years from the original date of purchase of the system or January 31, 2008, whichever occurs first. Systems that fall outside the motherboard replacement offer terms may be repaired under Dell's Out of Warranty service program.

Products Affected:

SX270 USFF (Ultra Small Form Factor)

GX270 SFF, SDT, SMT (All Form Factors - Small Form Factor, Small Desktop, Small-Mini Tower)

GX280 SFF, SDT, SMT (All Form Factors - Small Form Factor, Small Desktop, Small-Mini Tower)