Computer has completely crashed.

[isnibs]

Hi .My Dell Dimension 2400 suddenly crashed today. I am getting a solid amber power light and no beeps at all.My screen is blank .The front USB sockets work but the CD and DVD drives will not open and I'm getting no lights on the diagnostic lights at the back of the PC.Also the C drive light does not light at all.

Anybody got any ideas what the problem could be and is it fixable at home by amateur ?

[ChuckFickens]

How do you know the front USB sockets work?

It doesn't sound good to be honest. firstly disconnect all USB devices and try, if still no luck remove the cover and take the RAM out the motherboard and then try turning it on... You should then get some error beeps.. if you get no beeps then I'd suspect a dead motherboard.

[fiesata]

Could be motherboard as mentioned if so it is scrap couls also be Power Supply fault and as it's a Dell may not be standard so would be expensive

This model is quite old so it is likely to be cheaper to buy another PC

You can get the data off the hard drive by removing it and installing it in another PC or using a USB hard drive reader

[ChuckFickens]

I agree it could also be the power supply, but the power light swung it to motherboard for me. (although it may be the 12v rail has failed but the 5v is still working, not a common failure though)

[ACtheTROLL]

I assume you mean that the usb thingy led co

[ACtheTROLL]

whu? ... continued ...
mes on?

do those dells beep? the flashy lighty thing was supposed to replace the beep .... it's been a while since I played with one

I might just check the connections .... and it could be a card taking the rail down ... but I think it's unlikely

I think t'others are right ... if it turn out no to be ... it's something odd.

you can get a psu tester from maplins ... but you are probably throwing money in the wrong direction.

as a project it might be interesting to fix ... but being practical .... treat yourself

[isnibs]

Hi everyone , thanks for all your help.
The front USB can power a mini vacuum.
I've tried removing all the USB devices but no luck I'm afraid. Today I'll open it up and try removing the RAM. By the way I upgraded the RAM last year and it's been working OK ever since.
I'll let you know what happens.
By the way could an amateur remove the hard drive and put it in another computer ? Is it difficult. I've only upgraded the RAM, fitted a DVD drive and replaced the battery to various computers.
Bye for now
Isnibs (steve)

[ChuckFickens]

firstly may I suggest that you never run that vacuum of your computers USB ports again. If you want to use it get a powered USB hub so it's not drawing power direct from the port. a vacuum is going to need a lot of power (for a USB device) and it may be that which caused the problem!

it's very easy to remove a hard drive and install it in another machine, pretty much the same process as replacing a DVD drive in fact..... how ever a lot of modern machines will not have the correct connector to plug an old style IDE hard drive into now! so you may be better of getting an external USB caddy to put it in for about �15.

[isnibs]

Someone bought me the vacuum but it's hopeless and I only tried it twice.
I've opened it up and tried all the suggestions but the problem remains. I suppose it must be the motherboard ! I bought it in 2004. I suppose that's old for a computer the way they upgrade and improve so quickly.
The external caddy idea might appeal to me.I'll inquire about that.
Thanks and bye for now
Isnibs