My sons PC wont boot up, the power light just keeps flashing!

What do I do?

Is it terminal?

It's a DELL.

Thanks

Describe the flashing... is it gently "pulsing"? or a quick blinking?

Does it run XP or Vista? (when it works :D)


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Flashing orange light on most Dells is a dead PSU. Being a Dell you will need to buy one from them as they are not standard size. Post the model of the machine and Dell PSU PN if you can.

Describe the flashing... is it gently "pulsing"? or a quick blinking?

Does it run XP or Vista? (when it works :D)


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It's 'gently pulsing'!

Running XP.

Flashing orange light on most Dells is a dead PSU. Being a Dell you will need to buy one from them as they are not standard size. Post the model of the machine and Dell PSU PN if you can.


It's a Dimension 3100pentium 4 521 (2.80 Ghz)

Sorry don't know what PSU PN is!:huh:

I noticed earlier a LOT of dust accumulated on the front 'grill' bit, hoovered that off...but still not working!

Is a PSU expensive?

Thanks guys.:cool:

my work computer does this sometimes, i disconnect the power cable, put it back in and it works again. eventually got another power cable and it works.

:)

It's a Dimension 3100pentium 4 521 (2.80 Ghz)

Sorry don't know what PSU PN is!:huh:

I noticed earlier a LOT of dust accumulated on the front 'grill' bit, hoovered that off...but still not working!

Is a PSU expensive?

Thanks guys.:cool:Before you buy a pwr supply i would get some one to check it you it may well be the power supply but could be 4 or 5 other things your not going to beable to test your self.If it will take a standed size pwr supply in your case then £10-£15 new for a decent spec.God knows how much dell ones are if its the smaller version it can only take.

If it's a dimension it should have 4 light on the back, can you tell us what state they are all in and is the flashing light amber or green>

This might help

http://support2.jp.dell.com/docs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/adtshoot.htm#wp1130520

If it's a dimension it should have 4 light on the back, can you tell us what state they are all in and is the flashing light amber or green>


No lights on the back...the flashing light is amber.

If it runs Vista, then a pulsing power light might mean it is in Standby (since just clicking the "shutdown" button in Vista actually puts it to sleep).

If not, then it might well be the power supply as neeeeeeek suggests.


(btw, PSU PN = Power Supply Unit Part Number :) )


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