Desktop won't boot

[ncstateguy87]

Hi everyone it looks like my desktop is having some serious problems!

Dell XPS 8300
I7 2600
8gb ram
Nvidia GTX 660
1TB hard drive

I haven't used my desktop in about a week (was working fine) and when I tried to turn on the desktop....nothing happened. I pushed the power button multiple times and it still didn't work.

Things I have noticed:
1) The light on the back of the machine by the power plug is green as usual.
2) When I opened up the side panel, an amber light is lit while the machine is plugged in.

Things I have tried:
1) I have removed the video card and tried (same result)
2) Removed and reseated all of the ram
3) Removed and reseated all of the cables that I could find to the dvdrw and hard drive.
4) Removed and reseated all power plugs to the motherboard including the master plug where all of the wires route to (amber light is near this plug).
5) Moved the desktop and tried a few other plugs around the house.

When I hold the power button at the top of the machine, I don't hear any beeps or anything, nothing happens (no fans kick up or anything). My only indications are the green light by the power plug on the back of the machine (green) and the amberlight on the motherboard.

Can anyone help? Is it my power supply? I haven't ever tried overclocking or anything, I am still on the stock power supply.

 

[Ketchup]

Sounds like the power supply to me. The green light on the outside doesn't mean anything. That means there is some trickle of power entering that will power that tiny light. Still under warranty by chance?

Another chance is that it could be the power button. Might wants to see if there are any loose wires from the button to the board.

 

[paul878]

Disconnect as mush as you can from the motherboard and try to boot up with the bare minimum. 1 stick of ram, no dvd, no hdd, etc. Trace the power button harness and short the pin on the motherboard to boot up. Jump the power supply (green to black wire) to test. Visual inspect the usb port to see if any pins are smashed.

 

[Steltek]

Look on the back of the machine, below the serial port/parallel port and above the keyboard and mouse connectors. There should be four small lights in a horizontal line labeled A,B,C,D. They will appear in some combination of yellow, green, or off. When you turn the power on, please describe the state of each light.

If the lights are all dark, I'm going to go with ketchup79 here and agree that you need to try swapping the power supply first.

 

[ncstateguy87]

Thanks for the help guys. I was able the machine to power up a few times after reseating everything again, but now it isn't working....again...

I'm not sure how to "jump" the motherboard to boot and I have checked the power button connections multiple times and don't see anything.

I will try and buy a power supply via Amazon Prime due to the fast shipping:

Any thoughts to the following:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...c+power+supply

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-VP-450-E...c+power+supply

Any suggestions would be taken (trying to stay under $40, maybe $50).

 

[pete1229]

I strongly suggest you check the dimensions on the PSU you are replacing, dells tend to be very proprietary and matching 3rd party hardware that will fit into their cases is tricky. I've had some very unpleasant experiences servicing some of my clients Dells while replacing hardware. Especially the PSu's.

 

[Ketchup]

For reference, here is the PSU your system very likely came with:

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Dell-S.../dp/B009G28TOW

The pics indicate is has the size and screw pattern of a standard ATX, so the ones you are looking at should do fine. Since it came with a 460, I would go ahead and get a 500, even though the one you are getting should be more reliable than the stock model.

 

[Steltek]

I'm not sure how to "jump" the motherboard to boot and I have checked the power button connections multiple times and don't see anything.

Trace the cable from the power switch to where it attaches to the motherboard. Carefully unplug the power switch leads (making a note of where and how they are plugged in so you can put them back later). Using a flat screwdriver, touch across the bare header pins where the switch wires were previously plugged in to boot the system.

Were it me, I'd go for the Antec power supply. However, the Coolermaster unit you linked is $15 cheaper after rebate at Newegg.

 

[ncstateguy87]

Thanks again guys.

I was able to do the paper clip trick on the main power connector (green and black) and the power supply kicks on without a hitch each time I tried.

It is making me think it is the connection from the power button to the motherboard. I tried removing the connections again and reconnecting them and the machine is able to boot up without a hitch at the moment.

I will let it sit overnight and see if the problem continues, but it is looking like the power button for now (wish it the psu had a manual on/off).

 

[pctestcardscom]

I believed the computer power button is the first component to check.
There shoule be some sorts of FAN activity even no beep sounds when the power button is pressed. The FAN may just turns a least few times even when the CPU is in error.

Hope this helps.
Bill
Tech Manager, WPTinc.