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Hey all,
This morning I was playing a game of StarCraft 2 and all of a sudden my computer went black and thought I lost power.
I thought my machine just needed a restart and I tried that but now I only hear a fan running. I don't even see anything on the computer screen, it doesn't boot up to anything. This is a Dell XPS 600 out of warranty. The DVD/CD ROM trays do not open either when the computer is turned on.
Any ideas what might be the problem?
It sounds like it is time for a new power supply.
Hi Eric,
It sounds like the PSU to me too. Dell use cheap ones that are the minimum rating they can get away with :( If you have, or can borrow, a multimeter, here's how to test the power supply:
Testing PSU Voltages
ATX Power Supplies
Trigger Power Supply for testing
In depth look at the power supply
Or alternatively you can buy a proper PSU tester, they don't cost much:
PSU Tester
ATX12V PSU Tester
I used to short out the middle pins black/green pins 13-14? as a test for a dead ATX power supply but newer computers have such insane needs and desires with power supplies that a "working" power supply simply isn't sufficient in a lot of cases.
Last night I went through bloody hell figuring out my computer and it was a bit of a wild goose chase because it started with HDD issues, then the PC wouldn't post properly, and then it started working again. Lucky for me I've got a power hungry PCIe video card that eventually informed me that it wasn't getting enough external power. Viola! Swapped out the PS for a known good one, and I was back without a hitch..
My old rule for computers is "if it has moving parts it's suspect" but lately it seems like swapping the PSU is the best first step in any unusual problem.
I have a multimeter but I don't know how to use it and whether or not if I am doing it right. I decided to open the case to find the power supply to look at replacing it. The strange thing is I didn't even know where the power supply is located in this system. I opened the case but when I looked inside I couldn't find the power supply.
Digging futher into this model, I learned that this model has the power supply attached under the case with dual fans. I'm not sure how to get to it though. :(
Hey ecross,
This is the link to your computer's manual at the Dell website.
There are directions for removing the power supply.
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1055309
Dave