jjnv

First open the case and check all the power and data cables, by removing and reseating them.

If this does not correct the problem, then try removing all the PCI cards, the video card and memory, disconnect the data and power cables to all the drives, then check that the front panel cable is connected to motherboard, with nothing else connected to the system, except the power cable to the power supply, power the system on. If you do not get any beep codes or no LEDs on the front diagnostic panel, then it would appear that motherboard has died.

Removing and Installing Parts of the E510.

More troubleshooting information here.

Bev.





===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Thanks for the information. I will go over the step tomorrow. I opened the case today. But micro center did not reconnect all the cables. I was not sure where to start. If it has a bad motherboard and a bad PSU, is it still worth repairing? Can I test the motherboard at all if the PSU is bad? Thank you, Jane

jjnv

To test the motherboard, you need a working power supply.

This may help you reconnect the cables, you will notice that all the cables are "Keyed" to avoid making a mistake.

As the E510 uses a standard ATX power supply with either a 24-pin or 20+ 4-pin main motherboard power connector, with or without the on/off switch.
I would replace the power supply first, because it's the least expensive component.

Bev.





===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

I opened the case and disconnected all cables except the one connect to motherboard. I removed all cards, and turned on power. I can see one green light on the motherboard and the power button is flashing amber. I don't have a power supply to test.

Does it sound like I should get a new PSU to test?

Thank you so much for your help. I found out that my power supply might be ok. I disconnected the front panel (#1 in this picture http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/parts113.jpg ) Now the fan in the power supply is turning. When I plug that back in, the fan stops. Does that mean I have a bad front panel? I thought about disconnect that since my problem started when I plug the GPS in to the USB.

jjnv

That's a hard call, you could either buy a new power supply or a PSU tester [the cheaper option], similar to the unit shown here.

But, to test the motherboard, you will need a know working power supply.

Bev.





===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

jjnv

#1 in your link, is the hard drive's SATA data cable, not the cable to the front panel.

The front panel connector is the "FRONT _PANEL" as shown here

If the system runs when you disconnect the data cable to the hard drive, it means that you could have a failed hard drive and this needs to be replaced.

Bev.






===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

I now reconnected everything and the computer started! However, it would not go all the way. It ended with System automatically configure IDE... I tried to push F2, but it only flashed "Entering System Setup" for one second, and continued to the same message. Does that confirm I have a bad hard drive? I have a hard drive enclosure. But it does not fit the type of connector this hard drive has. Thanks, Jane

jjnv

That would be the first part I would replace, The E510 support SATA hard drives, the external enclosure probably supports PATA [IDE/EIDE/ATA] hard drives. If you buy a SATA HD, try to buy either a Seagate or Western Digital, check the warranty, there's one to five years on hard drives, try to buy a five year warranty drive.

What is the reading of the diagnostic lights on the front panel and the power button LED?

See if you can use Dell diagnostic test on the hard drive.

Turn on [or restart] your computer.
When the DELL logo appears, press F12 immediately.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.
When the boot device list appears, highlight Boot to Utility Partition and press "Enter".
When the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu appears, select the test you want to run

Use the extended test [read,write and verify], not the express test.

Bev.








===================================================
Please don't send me questions about your system by DCF Messenger.
Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I could not get F12 to do anything. It went went on to "Performing automatic IDE configuration". I did not know about Diagnostic Lights. I did a little research online and found that Mine is dark, green, green, dark, which means "A possible floppy or hard drive failure has occurred." I will get the hard drive replaced next. I guess I will have to find all the softwares that were on my machine? I will go to the hard drive forum to learn more about it.