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wolfman441

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15 years ago

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2333

August 9th, 2011 20:00

Solid amber light

I have a Dimension C521 that when I push the start button all I get is a solid amber light.  It all started after I blew out all the dust with compressed air.  I have tried everything I know to try.  I have turned it on and off, held the button in, unhooked everything in the computer and rehooked it.  None of them have worked.  I do have power to the fans, cd player, and graphics card, but just want start up.  Got me thinking mother board.  Any ideas?

  • shesagordie

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    Posted August 9th, 2011 21:00

    wolfman441 

    Check the sequence of the four Diagnostic Lights on the front panel?

    Go HERE for the C521 Diagnostic Codes and Troubleshooter.

    Bev.

  • 225

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    Posted August 10th, 2011 10:00

    The code lites on the front of the computer do not lite up.  

  • shesagordie

    12 Elder

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    46017 Posts

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    Posted August 10th, 2011 10:00

    wolfman441

     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 24-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 24-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.

    Bev.