Problem powering on Dell Desktop Computer?

Question

It really doesnt matter what brand or model computer but I have a Dell XPS 400. It was working perfectly at school, but when I brought it back home, it does not turn on, and when it is plugged into a power source, an amber flashing light appears where the usual powered on green light is. It is not a power supply issue (I have tried that). I noticed that by removing the 24 pin connector that connects the motherboard to the circuit board which is located next to the power switch, the computer turns on when plugged in without pressing the power button. Is this something that I can repair on my own or should I try a PC repair shop?

Answer 1

by moving your computer you have displaced something,

so try this

unplug the mains cable,
gently press down on the memory sticks to make sure they are seated right,
same with the graphics card
un plug the power cable from the monther board and place it back in it's slot also check other items thats plugged into the mother board press down on them (hard drive cables) (cd rom cable)but not to hard

have you got a manual for the mother board?
if not got to the manufactures web site and download the manual, you may have to reset the bios so you will need to know how to do this, there is a jumper on the motherboard, that you move from one pin to another this jumper has three pins

pin one and two are normal you will move the jumper to pins two and three jumper just for a second no more then replace it back to jumpers one and two, this resets your bios to factory setting.

reboot you system and it will or should restart

by the way moving a computer around is not a good thing to do if you knocked it about on the travels you can damage the hard drive and or other components it the computer,

Answer 2

I service Dells, and a flashing amber light on the power switch means your system board is toast and needs replacing. Dell has had problems the last 4 years with defective system boards (or rather heat sinks and capacitors on the boards). Look at your system board and see if any of the capacitors (aluminum can shape) are bulging at the top or ruptured and leaking electrolyte. If so the system board will need to be replaced, and quite possibly the power supply as well (it also contains capacitors, and when the system board ones blow, it will take the ones in the power supply out too). I have replaced over 1,000 system boards in the past year for Dell for just this problem. They have extended the warranty on three of their desktop models to 5 years to cover this problem, but yours is not one of the models. If you do have a bad board call Dell, even if it is out of warranty, as they may still replace it at no charge as this is a known problem with their systems.

Answer 3

Yellow flashing on the power btton means getting power but it is not being distributed properly. Motherboard, cabling or power supply. Also unhook all usb devices escept kb and mouse. Especially those crummy all in one printers, you can hook it up after start up or put it on an externa hub. Dell has very good tech support if you get an American Tech. If it is out of warranty, just ask nicely and they may notbe able to give you support, but they will almost always give you lots of unbelieveably good hints, then transfer you to parts.

Answer 4

how can I get to desktop