My Computer Won't Start

Question

My computer isn't booting up. Everytime i press the button to boot it up it doesn't work. I've check the cables, made sure there was electricity. Recently I've been having this problem but usually it would end up booting up after a few minutes, this time its been over few hours and still hasn't been working. I'm using a Dell E510. During the time when it did work, it would have a green light indicating its booting up but now its blinking orange so I don't know whats happen and would really appreciate any help.

rayfunc · Answer

I'm guessing you're not seeing a BIOS screen or anything? My E310 did a similar thing Sept. 11th as you're describing. That day the computer locked up, once my wife rebooted it the front panel lights started blinking and that was it, the monitor wasn't waking up or anything. I opened up the tower, unplugged all the non-necessary peripherals and tried again (with just simple processor, memory, hard drive, and keyboard). Same result...Nada. Turns out the processor burned up. I had access to other Pentium 4s at work. Plugged a new one in and things booted like nothing happened.

ThreeComputers · Answer

I was glad to see your post today (well not glad, because it is a bummer when the computer won't boot up) - I'm having the same problem!   Today the computer (Dimension E510) was fine, went to log off and the whole thing died.  When I try to boot up, the light flashes amber twice and then nothing.  I switched out the poer supply and the issue is the same.     If you have learned of anything else to look for - let me know.  I'm not very savvy so I may need to take it in for tech support tomorrow -- I'm hoping that someone will read this and be able to say it's an easy fix that I can do myself.   Good luck on getting yours fixed too!

RoHe · Answer

Blinking amber power button usually means the power supply unit has failed. If PC under warranty, contact Dell Tech Support for replacement PSU. Ron

ThreeComputers · Answer

Thanks.  I switched out the power cord (from my other dimension) and still the same problem.  Not under warrenty (by a month - alwasy the case :-))   On the phone now with Tech Support - wish me luck :-)

rayfunc · Answer

If everything non-essential is unplugged and nothing but a few of the lights are blinking because of the built-in-tests on the MB controller it's most likely the processor that's dead. Like my situation my warranty period expired 6 months ago. To replace a Pentium 4 HT I'm looking at about $160 dollars to replace the processor. I have a 533MHz FSB but a processor that supports the 800MHz bus. I'm assuming the Intel chipset automatically accommodates for this difference in bus speed. Not sure if it's worth investing in an outdated processor just to have that one burn up too. If anyone has looked into the Intel chip set and how it handles the FSB differences I'd appreciate that information.

justric3 · Answer

I went out to my local computer store and bought a cheap power supply unit and tried my luck with it. It turns out it was my power supply that wasn't working. I've also noticed that most of these occurrence only happens to people that are out of their warranty.

forsalebypwner · Answer

That is SO WEIRD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME I also have a E510 and the same happened to me. Dell needs to give us some answers! Did you all buy these on about Late March Early april 2006 when they went on sale? Maybe it has something to do with that.

AnImmortaLLegac · Answer

Unfortunately, I have also fallen victim to this E510 problem. On Sunday morning I was using my computer without a problem. I left in the afternoon with my wife to go see the football games at a friend's house. When we returned I had noticed that my computer was frozen which struck me a bit odd because before I left everything was working perfectly. I manually shut the computer down, but than it never turned back on again. Everytime I press the 'power' button; instead of getting the solid green light I get a blinking orange light that flashes about 2 times before stopping. I thought it might be the surge protector, but noticed that other devices such as my printer, monitor, iPod, that were connected in the same surge protector were functioning. So I disconnected the computer from it, to isolate it from the other devices, and actually ran an extension chord to the nearest electrical outlet outside of my home office and no luck whatsoever. I'm afraid it might be the processor burning out, but from what I've read thus far it seems the power supply my be the main culprit. Any recommendations as to how I can pin-point exactly what it is before calling one of these 'computer repairman' and they charge me an arm and a leg for their hourly service??

ThreeComputers · Answer

My computer is out of warrenty (as of July- of course) ---I called Tech Support and because I have never called in before, they walked through with me on the phone how to disconnect various components to try to isolate the problem.   At the end of the call, she said most likely it's the power supply AND the Motherboard.    So, I have an an older Dell Dimension that I'm going to take the power supply out of and try in the E510 (with all fingers crossed) hoping that that fixes the problem.   If not, then will investigate the cost on a motherboard and computer tech time to install.   An inexpensive power supply at the Circuit City is about $60 - might be worth the investment to determine if it fixes the problem - if so, a pretty inexpensive fix - if not, wasted $60 :-(

rayfunc · Answer

The problem really depends on what is blinking on the front panel when the computer won't start. For the E510 see the troubleshooting section of the support manual(http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/sm.zip). If there is no comprehensible code and the beeps are just brief chirps it's most likely the processor. Keep in mind that computer's are relatively cheap so don't waste too much time giving money to out-of-warranty tech support (Unless they send you free parts to continue to troubleshoot hardware problems). Parts for these things, even though relatively new, are becoming difficult to find and are generally not inexpensive.

RoHe · Answer

If you don't beat it up and keep all the packing materials, you might be able to return the power supply if it doesn't solve the problem. Just don't tell 'em I said that! ;)

Check the price at Dell Spare Parts. And if E510 uses same PSU as Dimension 5100 (I'm not sure about this), you can find one at Centrix for $49+shipping:
http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=2319

Ron

AnImmortaLLegac · Answer

In my situation I don't have any beeps or chirping sounds. As I mentioned before.....when I press te power button, instead of getting a solid green light to indicate the computer's on, I get a blinking orange light that blinks about two times and that's it, nothing else happens.

windscar · Answer

I have the Exact same problem here, and yes i bet we all bought these E510 during that amazing sale event... i wonder why all these computers started having this problem with this 305 Watt Power Supply. Mine started having this thing in july 3rd EXACTLY the day when my warranty expired, coincidence? i feel like being rip off rite now...wasted almost 1k on a computer that only work for a year? i do need an explaination. feel lil bit better knowing im not the only one who have this problem.

shesagordie · Answer

AnImmortaLLegacy

A blinking amber power button LED, usually means a power supply or motherboard failure.

To test the motherboard, you need a know working power supply.

As a power supply costs less than the motherboard, that's the first part to replace.

The D-5150/E510 system does not use a Dell proprietary power supply, you can use most standard generic ATX power supplies with either a 24-pin or 20+4-pin main motherboard power connector. This system has an open back panel, a power supply with or without the on/off switch can be used.

Bev.

===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

windscar · Answer

i pretty sure the PSU is working, this isnt the first time this had occur to me, to those that had this problem for the first time, disconnecting all the cable, leave the CPU plugged for 3+ hours might solve the problem temporarily, but it is the matter of time till its become a pernament and the quick fix wont work...any judging from man other people that had change their PSU only few reply that it was a effective solution...i really need to know why did these thing started acting wierd all the sudden when our warranty went out.

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My Computer Won't Start

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