Computer problem

[engatwork]

My 4 year old Dell died today. Only thing that seems to happen is sounds like fan runs and that is all. Any ideas on what to try next?

[jplinville]

do you get any activity on the screen?

[link]

Originally Posted by engatwork

My 4 year old Dell died today. Only thing that seems to happen is sounds like fan runs and that is all. Any ideas on what to try next?

I suggest you contact Dell. Here’s a number: 1-866-461-3355, Dell tech support.

They have the perfect troubleshooting guide for the computer. Often Dell computers have lights or LEDs on the chassis that display the status of parts of the computer. From there they use a series of tests and diagnostics to help find the failing component(s).

Everything else is guesswork that’s done blindfolded and based on too little information

[iwrock]

Sounds like something isn't quite letting it complete its POST sequence.


It might be a good time for a replacement.

[mpolli]

Mine did that. What model do you have? Mine was 5 years old. There are 3 lights for cap lock, num lock and scroll lock I think. If they blink or do anything at all then that is a message as someone else said. In my case the memory card needed to be "reseated". First problem was when I looket at the socket at the back it was empty! It turned out on mine the memory card "A" is under the keyboard. It took a few tries to get it going.

[tbomachines]

Most of those branded pcs do not have the best reputation for their power supplies and motherboards...

[engatwork]

Studio slim 540S. I may could get used to this I pad I'm currently posting from. I'm not sure I like the DCS type keyboard. I'm a lot faster on the underwood style of keyboard. It actually has a keyboard with it not sure what needs to happen to make it work.

I will call the 866 number here in a little while.

[sixto]

Here's some info from dell.com:

If you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning), but the computer does not show any image, listen for a series of beeps during start-up.

When beeping codes are heard, refer to (Table 1) to help troubleshoot the issue with your computer.

Repetitive Beep Codes
1 Possible motherboard failure - BIOS ROM checksum failure.
2 No RAM detected.
NOTE: If you installed or replaced the memory module, ensure that the memory module is seated properly.
3 Possible motherboard failure - Chipset error.
4 RAM read/write failure.
5 Real Time Clock failure.
6 Video card or chip failure.
7 Processor failure.

When no beeping codes are heard, perform the following steps:

Disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor (for desktop systems). Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, cards etc.
Drain MB power about one minute (until MB lights turn off, which can take from 20 seconds up to one minute).
Make sure that the monitor is receiving power and that it plugged into the correct port on the video card. For SLI systems, the correct DVI port to be used would be the one on the primary (upper) video card, the one to the left looking from the back of the computer. This port can also be used for single card configurations.
Remove all the memory sticks (found next to the CPU) and attempt to POST the system using one memory stick at a time on Slot 1. Reinsert all memory sticks, and make sure that their connection to the motherboard is optimal. If after doing this the problem reappears then you may have a defective memory slot on the motherboard.

Clear the CMOS settings:

[link to online owner's manual for info on how to clear CMOS settings]

Perform different video configuration tests: make sure the video card(s) has/have the proper power connections from the power supply, reseat the video card(s) and if more than one video card is present, try them individually.

Remove all but the essential components (one memory module and one Video Card only) including, WiFi adapters, TV tuners, Optical Dives (ODD's), Hard Disk Drives (HDD's) and try to turn the computer on.

Sixto
87 300D

[engatwork]

It is back up. Disconnected everything, removed the side, blew it out good and kinda pressed on the boards that I was able to get to. I can type alot better here than the iPad.

[suginami]

Based on experience from all of the laptops used at the company I work for, about 3 years is all you can expect from a laptop.

After that you are running on borrowed time.

Put yourself on a 3 year replacement schedule, and live life happily.

[The Clk Man]

BUY A MAC!!!!!!

[sixto]

Products Affected
Mac desktops, Mac notebooks, Servers

Symptoms
If your Macintosh computer won't turn on, here's how to troubleshoot it. Please keep in mind that although your computer may display similar symptoms that prevent it from showing video, this article discusses what to do if the computer won't turn on, meaning that when you press the power button:

You don't hear a startup chime.
You don't hear any fan or drive noise.
The power button or power indicator doesn't light up at all.
If your computer doesn't display any video, it may display one or more of these similar symptoms when you press the power button:

You may hear a startup chime.
You may hear fan or drive noise.
You may see the power button or power indicator light up.
If any of these conditions occurs, see Troubleshooting: My computer has no video instead.

Resolution
If your computer won't turn on, try each of these steps:

Make sure that the power cord is plugged into a working wall outlet, and that it's properly connected to the power adapter. (To check if the wall socket is working, plug in a lamp or other electrical device.)
Make sure that the power adapter is properly connected to the power port on the side or back of the computer.
Disconnect all accessories that are plugged into the computer, such as a printer, hub, or other mobile device.
Reset the computer's PMU, SMC, or PRAM. Refer to the instructions for your model:
Portable (iBook or PowerBook)
Mac mini
iMac
Power Mac
Mac Pro
MacBook or MacBook Pro
Other Mac computers
Try plugging a different power cord into the computer (if you have a working one available). If the computer starts up, replace the old power cord.
If the computer uses a power adapter, try connecting a different power adapter to the computer (if you have a working one available). If the computer starts up, replace the old power adapter. (Computers that use a power adapter include MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBooks, PowerBooks, Power Mac G4 Cube, and Mac mini.)
If you tried all of the steps above and the computer still won't turn on, contact Apple technical support (1-800-APL-CARE in the U.S.) or take your computer to the nearest Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for diagnosis. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar using Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar (available in some countries only).
Note: Diagnostic fees may apply for issues not covered under warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan (APP).

Sixto
87 300D

[link]

Originally Posted by engatwork

It is back up. Disconnected everything, removed the side, blew it out good and kinda pressed on the boards that I was able to get to. I can type alot better here than the iPad.

I call that kind of solution a LOH which is short for laying on hands or re-seating everything.

About 1/4 of computer problems are solved by that solution.