Resolved Computer Won't Start

Hello folks,

So this is the story: I woke up and found that the electricity was not working in 2 of my rooms (my bedroom and what I call "the computer room "). So I flipped the circuit breaker switch off and on again and I got all my power back but...

One of my computers won't start for some reason. It's a Dell Inspiron 560 Desktop computer. As always, the first thing I did was make sure all cords were plugged in and all surge protectors were turned on. When I plug the power cord into the tower, the green light in the back goes on and when I press the power button in the front, it's just solid amber color and I don't hear it turn on.

So as usual, I look to video tutorials and did some google searches to see what the problem could be. I tried "discharging the power source" I unplugged the power cord, held the power button for 15 seconds, and plugged it back in. That didn't work. From what I heard, the problem could be that I need a new power supply. I'm not sure if that's it though, and I don't want to waste the money if that's not the issue. Besides, I've had a Dell Dimension Desktop computer since 2004 and I never had a problem with the power supply on that one. But this Inspiron Desktop is only 3 or 4 years old so I don't see why the power supply would die out just like that.

Any thoughts on this? If it's something I can fix on my own, that would be great. I don't want to bring it someone if I don't have to. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'd try a different PSU (power supply unit).

Recently had to replace one in an almost 3-year, 9-month old Dell Inspiron 530s. They told me "the computer was working one day, next day it wasn't." $34 for a new PSU fixed it.

 

You should get yourself a PSU tester. Plenty on ebay quite cheap. Just because some of the lights come on doesn't mean that the PSU's OK. The tester will check all the voltages on all the pins.

Although not unknown, in my experience at least, PSUs rarely fail completely. Most times one of the voltages will fail causing the PC to fail to boot.

 

Where did you get the PSU from?

I guess I should just get the same model as the one currently in the computer huh? Not sure if there are compatibility issues with other models.

 

Will the tester fix the issue? Or just identify what's causing the problem? Can the PSU be fixed without having to be replaced?

 

It will not fix the issue, just tell you what problems the PSU is having. One the size that is in there or even a little bigger would be fine.
Sometimes with the PC unplugged from the wall socket, hold the power button in for about 15 seconds and then turn it loose. Plug it back into the wall and try turning it on again. I have seen where you have to hold the power button for about 4 or 5 seconds after this to get it to boot and then after that all will be fine.

 

Hey Evan,

Thanks a bunch. I'll go ahead and get that and see what happens. I'm sure that'll do it. Last time, you recommended a certain graphics card to me and it fixed the problem perfectly, so I'm sure this will do the trick as well.

Funny how in over a decade, I never needed to replace any parts for my Dell Dimension 2400. But after only 3 years of having this Dell Inspiron, I had to replace the graphics card and power supply.

Are you better off just building your own PC?

 

Indeed - it'd be a right pain if you went out and bought a new PSU only to find that the one you had was OK and the real problem was something else.

Maybe you could borrow one for a couple of hours though if you knew someone who had a known good spare you could try. Then you could go out to buy one confidently knowing that a new PSU would fix your problem.

Its always best to build your own if you can or if you know someone who can do it for you. It might not be the cheapest - but it will be a better one than an OEM. I've made the point in a number of threads that OEMs generally build PCs with the cheapest price in mind. That means they cut corners on components. Its a simple fact of life unfortunately. Like most things - if something seems too good (or cheap!) to be true then it generally is - and computers are no exception.

 

I got that one. It came in the mail today. I can't seem to get to fit in where the old power supply was. Also, the old power supply had a cord (I think it was the cord that gives power to the processor) but I don't see a cord like that on the new power supply. The cord on the new power supply says "CPU" but it's not the same shape as the one that was on the old power supply. I don't know what to do at this point. I would greatly appreciate help with installing it. Is that model really compatible with Dell Inspiron 560?

 

How can I adjust the new PSU? I put the 2 PSUs side by side and they look to be the same size. For some reason I still have a problem getting it in there as if it is too big. I don't want to force it in but I don't know how to go about adjusting it so that it can go in.

Yes, it is 8 pin. I was worried for a second because the connector on the motherboard was only 4 pin. So even though that cord has extra pins, it will still plug in okay?

 

Did you get the old one out? If so, and that is how you measured it, the new one will go back in. Some are a pain to get in and out.

 

I got it to fit in, but I didn't get the holes to line up so that I can put the screws back in. But it seems like it's nice and in place. For some reason, I also had trouble putting the side panel back on.
But I went ahead and checked to see if my computer could turn on. It did. Right now my computer is working. The new PSU got the job done. My computer is very noisy though, is that because it's installing the device drivers?

 

It seems to have calmed down on the noise. Everything seems back to normal now. It was pretty loud for a while when I first booted the system.

I appreciate the help with this. Thank you very much. Very glad I got my computer back.

What could have caused the PSU to die?

Is it best to keep your computer on or shut it off when not in use? I've always kept my computer on, do you think that could have helped kill the old PSU? I just want to make sure that if I helped the old PSU die faster that I don't do the same thing with the new one.

 

Sounds like a fan on it's last leg. As the bearing grease dries out, they start to get noisy. If there is still just enough grease to drip in there when it gets warmed up, the noise will die down . . . for a while.

Solution: Replace the fan. They're not expensive.

You're welcome.

If the fan bearing(s) froze up, the PSU would have overheated and fried itself. Could have been due to an electrical surge. Also could be just normal wear and tear, everything mechanical wears out.

Moving parts cause wear, and once the parts are worn enough, it's titsup, (Total Inability To Support Usual Performance).

 

I have 3 PC's that have been running for probably 4 or 5 years and the only time they are shut off is when the power goes out or they are restarted for an update or something like that.
On the fan not being able to put the screws in, it is possible that you have it in upside down. It will need to be turned 180 degrees. The noise could be the PSU rattling in the case because it isn't ******* into it.