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Oh, how I hate Dells

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  #1  
Old 10-13-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Long Island NY
Member since: Oct 2008, 7 posts
System specs
Oh, how I hate Dells

But they keep me in business-
OK kids-
Dell Dimension 4700-
Customer says- It Died.
I think-power supply? Plug in- 4 beeps-indicator on back says RAM disorder-
I unseat-reseat Ram-It Boots! does not recognize usb mouse-
I reboot- this time doesnt recognize keyboard or mouse-
OK- reboot 3rd time- fan running FAST!- turn it off, laugh, sprinkle pixie dust-
Reboot- it boots, finds mouse, installs- all good-
I leave it, go back an hr or two later- same prob- Tho I had tried to upgrade RAM- upgrade failed, everything failed-

Power supply? You think?
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  #2  
Old 10-13-2008
kimsland's Avatar
TS Special Forces
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 11,673 posts
Have a look here: Tutorial: No POST (Power On System Test)

It also has a link (at bottom of page) to "Beep Codes"
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  #3  
Old 10-13-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: May 2007, 179 posts
It could be the motherboard is shorting out. Should not since dell's are assembled at the factory.. Could be a faulty motherboard.
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  #4  
Old 10-13-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Location: Cambridge UK
Member since: Jul 2006, 101 posts
System specs
I've got a similar one. GX280.

I got 'It won't turn on and it was making a clicking sound before'.

I know Dells sometimes go 'click' a couple of times as they power on/off when you plug them in so I thought, PSU.

Got it back to the workshop, plugged it in, it's working fine. Did a backup just to be sure. Left it on overnight, will check that it's on in the morning.
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  #5  
Old 10-14-2008
Tedster's Avatar
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Talil, Iraq
Member since: Feb 2005, 8,789 posts
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read the bios beep guide in the guides forum
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  #6  
Old 10-15-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Long Island NY
Member since: Oct 2008, 7 posts
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Thanks- that model has an amber/green light code indicator on back- works great if consistent- I suspect either a failing processor or motherboard- ended up changing the power upply, booted, working OK- but Im going to advise a non- commercial PC-
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  #7  
Old 10-15-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Location: Cambridge UK
Member since: Jul 2006, 101 posts
System specs
Processors rarely fail unless they overheat or are damaged in overclocking.

Power supply was a good shot, if that doesn't cure it then the motherboard is most likely.
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