Computer failure

[ecross]

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?

[jdc2000]

It sounds like it is time for a new power supply.

[SuperSparks]

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

[Vicbowling]

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.

[ecross]

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.

[davidgsmith]

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