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nawad24

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nawad24

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June 8th, 2007 19:00

Help! Power Issue

I have been having problems with my desktop computer turning off randomly.  The problem started when I moved the computer from a grounded outlet to a two-pronged one with an adapter.  It stayed on for a while before turning off and now it doesn't turn on at all.  The odd thing is, though, it tries to turn itself on without me even touching it.  The light on the motherboard is still green and when I plug in the wire into the NIC outlet, that turns amber even though the compute is technically not on. 
 
I recently replaced the power supply which worked for a day.  After using the pc, I turned it off only to return an hour or so later and see that it was trying to turn itself back on. 
 
Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated!
 
Thanks!
 
  • nawad24

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    i believe it is a dimension 400 - purchased dec 2005. 
  • mombodog

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    "The light on the motherboard is still green and when I plug in the wire into the NIC outlet, that turns amber even though the compute is technically not on. " 
     
    This is normal.
     
    Have you tried using a 3 prong outlet to see if it acts normally again?
     
     
     
     
     
    "Was the ground prong cut off, or was an adapter used to plug a three prong plug into a 2 prong outlet? That can lead to computer malfunction or electrocution"
     
  • nawad24

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    Yes, it is on plugged into the surge protector which is now plugged into a three prong outlet.  But it still will try and turn itself on and the numbers 3 and 4 light up and will just stay on until i do a hard reset - which doesn't always work - and finally i have to unplug it to turn it off completely.
     
  • mombodog

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    XPS 400?  need to know for sure.  If it is those lights 3 and 4 mean the following" 

    "Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.

     

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps400/sm/adtshoot.htm#wp1054184  found here

     

    Any time you open the case, be sure to unplug the PC power cord and hold the power button in for 5 seconds to discharge the motherboard of any remainimg voltage.

  • nawad24

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    I purchased the dell power supply 375 watt, i believe.  the old one wouldn't power on at all and this new one powered on for a day and then tried to turn itself on and now i can't get past the number 3/4 lights on the front of the display.
  • nawad24

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    I used the adapter to plug the three prong into a two prong outlet.  The adapter is supposed to be grounded - it has the metal peice on it, but when i plugged a different power surge onto it, the light came up saying it wasn't grounded.  Do you think the new power supply I just bought is also a goner now or is there a way to find out?
     
    Thanks!
  • Rorsach

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    Then I would say you either have a deas PSU or bad mobo.  Time to get back on the phone with Dell I guess.
  • Rorsach

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    Have you tried plugging the computer into a 3 prong outlet?
  • Rorsach

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    What power supply did you upgrade to?  Does the system work with your old power supply?
  • nawad24

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    Posted June 8th, 2007 19:00

    Pretty sure it is.  So, is the memory problem in addition to the power supply or could the memory issue be causing the power failure?