Has something blown?

Hi,

I'm running Windows XP on a 1.6GHz Dell Dimension. Earlier today I was on the internet, doing nothing unusual, when all of a sudden the computer shut down. No warning, message, no indication at all. I then heard a sort of fizzing/crackling sound coming from the power box so quickly disconnected my 2nd hdd (with all my work on it) though I assume if damage was to be done to it it would already have happened.
I turned it back on (after digging around inside for a blown fuse or something) and it went straight into checking for errors on C:/ then everything seemed fine except for a few unusual noises.
I reconnected my other drive and after some belated backing up connected to the internet.

What could it have been? I'm quite worried, yet immensely relieved to be on my computer at all

 

Hi Steve,

Yes, cd drive is fine, and I just listened to something online. I'll have to wait till I get off line, but then I'll unplug the drive again.

(sorry you had to move my post . I'm sure I meant to put in hardware - must've been a little too eager )

 

squirrel,

There are lots of possibilities. I would start with the power supply, which on OEM machines is just adaquate when new, and I assume that yours is several years old and that you have added a second drive, and what else?

Check here to see how much power you should have. This is an estimate and ideally you should have another 50 watts or so to be safe.

And keep your data disk disconnected, as Steve suggests, till you solve this problem.

 

Hi squirrel, welcome to the BBS.

I had a look at the specifications for a Dell Dimension 8100. It has a 250 watt power supply. Looks like you have added a second harddrive, so it may possibly be pushing the PSU to it's limits. I would keep that second harddrive disconnected at least until you were certain that the system was completely normal again.

I would set the case up on a desk with the cover removed and using a flashlight, start up and try to locate the origin of the "noises ". Any smells or wiffs of smoke. If they are from the PSU, then I would look at replacing it immediately.

Check all fans (especially the PSU fan) are spinning normally and there is no evidence of dust build-up. If you want to clean the fans, hold the blades steady with tip of a pencil, do not rev them with compressed air.

If you still suspect the PSU, replace it. Would not want to lose, possibly, the motherboard and CPU as well.

You will probably have to go through Dell to replace the PSU, check if a larger capacity is available, but from memory of a previous post this may not be possible.

Matt

 

Just remembered (my memory is hopeless). A little while back I found I could hear clackling noises from one of my computers that was not powered up. Traced it to the power connection of a monitor. Replaced the power lead/cord and no more problems. Try another power lead.

Matt

 

Hi squirrel.

Mattman has a very very good point on that power supply.

If memory serves, Dell has a power supply that is not normal. I think the plugs that connect to the motherboard are not the same as normal psu's. You might want to check that out for your specific model. A normal psu might blow that motherboard because the motherboard will have to be wired for that changed power supply. I think DadDad cued me in on that particular point a while back. Be sure and check it out before replacing it.

 

Thanks for the responses . Sorry for not specifying - it's a Dimension 4300, also 250W.

sparrow, yes it is a few years old. I've only added the 2nd hdd (which I've disconnected) and replaced the cdrom with a cd-rw. I want to upgrade the CPU soon though.

With the power calculator I had trouble matching up my stuff with theirs: CPU = Intel Pentium 4 - not sure how many MHz. Also my video card is NVIDIA GeForce2 MX. I've got 256mb (1 stick) 133MHz. So I did an approximation, and selecting the Intel cpu with the smallest wattage plus the GeForce 4 MX came to a recommended minimum 270 watts! I had no idea. How do I go about increasing it?

Matt, please tell me you don't mean I might not be able to get larger than 250W? Oh no

It wasn't a clacking sound. Fizzing is the best term I can think of to describe it. With a sort of light crackling, and definitely coming from inside the cpu. I couldn't see anything strange when I unscrewed it but I've never been in there before and wasn't familiar with what I was looking at (gave it a clean though).

 

Thanks Giles
(I didn't see your response before I hit submit)

I'll have a look around the Dell site.

 

"clackling" , I meant crackling, or a tick tick sort of noise (it was arching on the connectors). You should grab another cable, they don't cost much and you should be able to get them from any hardware, even a large variety store will have them.

Clackling...I didn't think to look for chickens

Matt

 

Thoughts on a course of action.

I checked the manual online for the Dimension 4300, and the mobo and psu are both non-standard, so you definitely have to order a psu from dell, if you decide to go that way. They have followed the example of apple in locking in customers.

If you're inclined to do more upgrading in the future, this might be the time to consider building your own box. You would need a new mobo and psu - latter usually comes with a new case, e.g. this black enermax with 350W psu, but you can use the drives you have, cables, etc., so the expense is much less than buying a new computer.

Before you decide to stick with the present box, price a new psu from dell and compare their price with that for example at newegg 300W or this 400W one.

Trouble is, IMO there's no good test for a failing psu so long as it's not dead, and substitution is the safest course when it's suspected. In your case, it may be overloaded in addition to putting out less power just from the changes in components from ageing.

 

Interesting?

This thread may interest you.

 

You can buy power supplies for Dells here . I don't know if they are cheaper than Dell or not. Also, you can buy an adapter that will allow you to use a standard power supply on a Dell. Go here to have a look.

 

Confusing?

I see that here it says

but that doesn't agree with what I found on the dell site.

 

I never even noticed the thing about the P4's. It may or may not be. Can't see that I've ever seen anything anywhere else about the P4's being exempted. I see now that they have quit using the custom power supplies in newer puters.

Dell makes statement on PC standards

I don't know exactly when they quit using them but the article is date April 2002 so I would say it's safe to assume that anything made since than should have standard power connectors. Bottom line is, you'd better make darn sure you know what you have before purchacing a power supply.

 

Thanks for the links. Yes I definitely intend to add more and am interested in building my own but would be happy to keep this as a second (I wouldn't bother transferring my hdds as they're too small).
I saw in the Dell forums someone asking about a greater wattage psu to handle what they want to add to their dimension (think it was an 8300) so I'll keep a look out to see if they get a response.

I'm curious that it's still going fine. Except for a louder hum than usual (it's actually irritating and I've had a couple of frightful headaches since this happened though they're probably not related...) and brief stalling all seems okay.

 

Thank you Sparrow, Matt, Giles, Zander and Steve for your help with this