UNSOLVED
Dimension 510 DEAD! Support Miserable!
I've owned a Dimension 510 for just under 2 yrs - has been working fine; but just returned from a 4-day trip, and pressed the power button - click heard but then nothing! The button showed an intermittent blinking amber light (about every 2 sec) - however, absolutely, no noise from any fans, hard drives, or beeps; computer attached to an APC UPS - tried different outlets + wall outlet - no difference - assumed a major hardware issue, such as a DEAD power supply.
Well called Dell support and was connected to the usual 'overseas' support (won't mention the country!) - wentthrough the usual checks, i.e. tried different power plugs (already done), exchanged tower & monitor cords (done no effect), detached all connections (no effect); finally, I was asked to open the cabinet and started to remove various cards, first the memory ones - no effect; then asked to start removing cards w/ screws - decided to stop this nonsense - this is not my 'specialty' and I had already wasted 2 hrs on the phone! Much of this time was spent trying to just converse w/ the person on the other end of the phone - this is extremely annoying - I don't know if any Dell people read these posts, but this kind of support STINKS like a barnyard!
What was even more irritating is that I had spent x-$$ for a 3-year 'in-house' warranty, but was denied this choiceuntil a 'troubleshooting solution' was found! I'm a fairly knowledgeable user and cannot imagine somemiddle-aged house wife even goin' through this process - well, this AM, I dropped off the computer @ a local shopw/ an appropriate Dell number & phone number - hopefully, an acceptable solution will be found and much ofwhich will be still covered under warranty - not really asking for advice but venting this horrible experience - really ruined my entire evening & much of the following morning - not sure 'what' my next computer will be, but Dell may not be in my future? :smileymad:
Well called Dell support and was connected to the usual 'overseas' support (won't mention the country!) - wentthrough the usual checks, i.e. tried different power plugs (already done), exchanged tower & monitor cords (done no effect), detached all connections (no effect); finally, I was asked to open the cabinet and started to remove various cards, first the memory ones - no effect; then asked to start removing cards w/ screws - decided to stop this nonsense - this is not my 'specialty' and I had already wasted 2 hrs on the phone! Much of this time was spent trying to just converse w/ the person on the other end of the phone - this is extremely annoying - I don't know if any Dell people read these posts, but this kind of support STINKS like a barnyard!
What was even more irritating is that I had spent x-$$ for a 3-year 'in-house' warranty, but was denied this choiceuntil a 'troubleshooting solution' was found! I'm a fairly knowledgeable user and cannot imagine somemiddle-aged house wife even goin' through this process - well, this AM, I dropped off the computer @ a local shopw/ an appropriate Dell number & phone number - hopefully, an acceptable solution will be found and much ofwhich will be still covered under warranty - not really asking for advice but venting this horrible experience - really ruined my entire evening & much of the following morning - not sure 'what' my next computer will be, but Dell may not be in my future? :smileymad:
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Posted February 7th, 2008 05:00
I totally understand your frustration, I have wasted days on the phone with dell support (offshore), customer service, parts dep. and I have same problem. I found out its not the power supply but motherboard (if you reset the bios, green jumper beside the battery on mod, just move it one pin over and start the computer it will probably start) ..here where it gets better .. I have ordered the new motherboard, only to find out that they have send me wrong one .. and this is still not resolved, now I have to send the mob back, and order next one .. it will take more weeks!
Dell support and accountability really stinks! Luckily this is not my pc, I build my own .. way better and chipper. After this experience with Dell, for sure I will never come near Dell and recommend the same to all my friends.
Good luck to you, hope you resolve your issue.
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Posted February 7th, 2008 14:00
Guys - thanks for your responses; we were on the phone for over 2 hrs w/ Dell support, and after I had removed the memory modules, re-booted, etc., and then was asked to start removing other cards, I decided that this was beyond my skills & willingness to proceed; we were given a case# & return phone#, and told to take the computer to a local shop - the person there will call Dell and go through the troubleshooting w/ them - I'm assuming this is a legitimate warranty action, so not too concerned @ the moment; but I'll update the thread when more info is available. Thanks again - Dave249
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Posted February 7th, 2008 15:00
It is most likely a power supply. That has been a frequent issue with E510/5150's the last several months. You are one of the few that are still covered by warranty with this model. Almost all were no longer under warranty.
One note, a standard ATX power supply will fit in an E510, it's not a proprietary power supply like was used in some older Dell's.
Inspiron 16 5630 Laptop and WD22TB4 Docking StationSelf-built desktop for recording studio application249
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Posted February 8th, 2008 16:00
Well, just a follow-up for those who might be interested - took the Dimension in Wednesday afternoon to a local shop - the tech there knew immediately that it was the PSU, but Dell still insisted that he go through all of the steps that I did the night before (plus more I assume); Dell sent him a 'refurbished' power supply (hope the parts inside are better ones?), and as of Friday early afternoon, the computer seems to be back in working order! Total bill was just $45, so 'crossing my fingers' - if it will last another couple of years, I'll be in the market for a new one probably - thanks again for your responses! :smileyvery-happy:249
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Posted December 30th, 2010 21:00
I just had the same happen to my E510 yesterday. Trouble is, I'm out in the boonies here in Alaska. Trouble started 2 days before when I came to the pc & found it shut off. I punched the power button and it rebooted ok, but a short time later shut down again. I replaced the APC battery BU with a surge protector outlet strip . and rebooted the computer. All ok for several hours, untill it shut off again. Alas not the BU. I tried restarting it again this morning, got a brief amber light on the power button before it turned green, then a short recycle of the led indicator lights, and shut off. I tried several more times with the same results.
So...that leaves the DC power supply unit that will need replaced. some componet failure I suspect. I'm going to have to either go to Tok which is a 60 mile trip & call Dell and order a power supply or drive to Fairbanks (400 mi roundtrip), & hope one of the computer shops have a power supply in stock.
My advice to u is take it to a cumputer shop & have the techreplace the power supply. Take ur old one back, as u might be able to one day fix it urself and have a spare...IF u have the E510 yet! I'll just take out the hard drive and smash it with a sledgehamner & bury it! If you sell it to someone you're taking the chance all your personal data will be taken... which could be costly!
Good luck!
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Posted December 30th, 2010 22:00
Newegg ships to Alaska and it's not that difficult to replace a power supply.
volcano11
2 Intern
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27973 Posts
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Posted February 7th, 2008 04:00
It sounds to me like a bad power supply. Since your warranty only covers work done and authorized by Dell, I doubt that when the shop you took it to figures out that it needs a power supply that it will be covered by Dell's warranty. You will have to call back Dell Tech Support, finish troubleshooting, and they will send out a technician. If you read your warranty, you will see that this is what is required. Sorry.
Steve