Display Gone, Beeps, & Out of Control Fan

I have a Dell 8400 that has exhibited no problems until a few minutes ago. Both of my monitors were blank and I couldn't get any activity using the mouse or keyboard. I turned the computer off at the front, waited a few minutes and then turned it back on. It gave a series of six or eight beeps but I couldn't discern any pattern for the beeps and I still got no display. I turned it off manually and then back on again. The beeps started and then the fan went into warp speed and I began to notice a little smoke. I turned it off and then back on and got the same high speed fan action. Am I dead?

 

That's a good question. I guess the best answer would be couched with a qualifier - "It all depends. "

You might be lucky enough to have this restricted to your power supply, but even if it was the power supply, that could have caused enough collateral damage to warrant sending your box to the morgue. Now, don't get me wrong - anything can be fixed but depending on the cost of repairs, in some circumstances it may be smarter to start writing an obituary.

The first thing you want to do is unplug that puppy and disconnect anything and everything connected to it. Then you can move it to a workbench or your dining room table and open it up. Look for burn marks or other evidence which may point you to a source of the failure and don't be afraid to use your nose. If you can't make a determination, remove the power supply, take it into another room and smell it again. If it is the PSU, one should be able to detect the smell of ozone from burnt electrical components. Since this is the most common cause of smoke, sparks and popping sounds, it would be my first suspicion. Now, many motherboards have circuit protection but that doesn't guarantee against a shorted PSU taking a few other things with it. One could lose their motherboard and or processor too.

If you have a power supply tester, you can verify whether or not its blown. Unless there is no smell and no burn trace evidence coupled with a good reading from a PSU tester on all rails, replace it.

This could be something other than your PSU so I shouldn't direct your entire focus to that alone. Get a magnifying glass and a small flashlight and physically inspect everything. Report back on your findings but don't plug that machine back into an electrical outlet.

 

Thanks Rockster & Pete,

I didn't find any obvious burned areas nor is there a burned smell anywhere. However, I don't have the smarts or the equipment to pursue this one on my own in the near term and I feel like using a pro might result in throwing more money at it than is wise. I think I will just replace the computer and then later tinker with it as I have time - and perhaps learn a bit more along the way.

I should point out that I am not a gamer and other than web surfing, e-mail, only have needs for video downloading and DVD burning.

Which brings me to a couple of questions that perhaps should be posted in another forum - but I will start with them here and if you think I should start a new thread, let me know.

I am leaning towards Dell - my last three computers have been Dell and other than my current problem have been very pleased. Two issues that cause me some concern:

• XP vs. Vista - I have had a bit of experience helping others with Vista and don't really care for it. Dell still offers XP on selected models but with a mandatory Vista upgrade included. If I decide to go with Vista, which version would be best for an intermediate home user?
• 32 bit vs 64 bit - Don't really understand the issues other than 64 bit is the future but is it necessary for the intermediate home user to go to that now?

Thanks for your responses and for any information on my questions above.

I should note that I am not a gamer and use the computer mainly for web surfing, e-mail, limited office applications and downloading and editing video and burning DVDs.

 

If there ever was a time to catch a deal on a new machine, you really couldn't go wrong right now. On the other hand, since you couldn't see any scorching or obvious signs of a short, for a fifty dollar gamble it's pretty easy to replace a power supply. Everything is modular in terms of connectors and fittings. Admittedly, there is no way to tell from a discussion, but I'd put my money on a blown power supply. If you stay away from the box stores, you might just find a shop that will sell you one and install it for close to the cost of the PSU itself and if thats not the problem, they probably aren't going to stick you with a power supply. Take it a step further - forget the power supply - let's assume they charge you a diagnostic fee of $50 - that's a worthwhile expenditure to find out what's wrong.

 

I'm back. I decided to spend a few bucks on a replacement PS that I picked up on EBay. It just came in today and I put it in the box. When I fired it up, the noise and smoke were gone and I got a Dell splash screen and the F2 and F12 messages. It acted like it was ready to go but that may have been wishful thinking on my part.

However, after the splash screen, all I get is a black screen with a cursor flashing in the upper left. I can't boot into safe mode nor can I get any reaction when I try to use the F2 or F12 keys. Any suggestions?

I recognize that something else may be fried and causing the problem now, but I figured a few bucks for the PS was worth a shot.

 

I just looked up your machine and am enclosing the following link. It appears that you have diagnostic lights on the back of the machine - what do they tell you?

Hindsight is always 20-20 but I'm not sure I would endorse buying power supplies off of ebay. Don't get me wrong, I've bought a lot of stuff on ebay, but PSU's .......... ? Your original system specs reference a 350W PSU but I didn't see any amperage ratings and that could be critical. What are the specs of your old and your new PSU?

Next comment would be to clear cmos using the jumper and then reset BIOS to system defaults for first boot. You will have to disconnect the mainboard power connector to clear CMOS using the jumper.

On balence, I would call the initial signs encouraging but I remain "guarded" re: your new PSU until more information is available.

 

Rockster,

I am sending this reply from the "busted" machine with guarded optimism. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I printed out the link you gave me in your last post. The beep sequence pointed me to a memory issue. The lights on the back also indicated memory as a potential problem. I removed both 1G sticks and then reinstalled one of them. The computer booted up fine and all appeared to be normal. Then I installed the second one and I got a black screen that said that the memory had been changed - but it hung at that point. I shut the machine down, uninstalled the second 1G stick and then the machine booted back normally.

So - I apparently have a memory stick that is bad - but haven't noticed any speed problems at this time. I will get a replacement as soon as possible. I hope that is all that is wrong. Don't know if the PS failure caused the memory problem but not a big deal.

Regarding your comment about buying a PSU on e-bay, I also shared your concern. However, I viewed my machine as a potential "throw away" at the time and didn't mind $30 for a refurbished, Dell PSU, that met the specs that were printed on my old unit. After looking at the PSU, I was convinced I could at least put in a replacement without doing too much damage.

Thanks so much for your time and your research to get me back in business. As we know, I am using a "refurbished" part that could drop dead at any time. I will drop back in a few days to give you a status report. I will recommend that Arie double your salary. Now, to get to some backup tasks that caused me some panic during all this.

 

Great News & Congratulations! After reading your explanation and learning of your successful self diagnosis and repair, my hat's off to you.

Merry Christmas

 

Pete - Sorry I missed you in my thanks for the help. Just looked back at your 1st post and you included the same link Rockster later gave me that got things moving for me. However, at the time you posted, I couldn't power on and had no way to check the beeps and lights so I guess I sort of forgot about your link. It was only after I put the refurbished power supply in that I could do that. I'm in day 2 of resumed operations so my confidence level is rising.

 

Pete C and Rockster2u,

Arie opened this thread back up so I could post a followup. I am now over a month into using the refurbished Dell PSU that I purchased on EBay. All is still working fine - so thanks to both of you and this Board for helping me troubleshoot and solve my immediate problem - the dead power supply.

You may recall I was concerned because I hadn't backed up anything in a great while and thought I had lost all my data. Although this incident ended well, it did prompt me to obtain a Maxtor external hard drive and I am imaging my hard drive regularly. All in all, a substantial learning experience for me. Again, thanks.

 

Robert,

Its very thoughful of you to post back and update your current situation. I too am glad to hear that you've implemented a backup routine and have to add that this board has proven to be a great source of learning and knowledge for most of us.

Thanks for the update.