Startup problem with Dell Dimension 9100

[strep3241]

I have a Dell Dimension 9100 that I can not get to start up. It has a Pentium D cpu, PNY 6800GS gpu, 375 watt psu and 4gb's(2x2) of Corsair ddr2 800 ram. My sister had it for a while and just got it back recently. When I first got it back, it would start up fine and Windows would load fine although it was acting a little wierd. So I figured on reinstalling Windows XP.

I have not reinstalled Windows yet and now when I turn it on, all the fans spin up and I can hear the hard drives engage but nothing shows up on the screen. The power button turns orange as soon as I hit the button but should be green. It does not beep either. I even took the ram out and it still did not beep.

I tried to clear the cmos and no luck. It has two sets of jumpers and I moved both of them and no luck. On one of the sets, it will not come on at all if I move it. I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Since it did not beep when I took the ram out, I am thinking it is the motherboard but not sure. If it is the motherboard, I would imagine it would be a waste of time and money to buy a replacement.

 

[IGemini]

Straight from the 9100 manual:

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER

— A device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see page 66).
Remove and then reinstall any cards (see page 68).
Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see page 68).

"If the system cannot boot and there is a solid amber light, this indicates a problem with the system board."

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9100/en/index.htm

 

[Lanyap]

Amber light can also mean a failing PSU.

 

[strep3241]

Straight from the 9100 manual:

IF THE POWER LIGHT IS STEADY AMBER

— A device might be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see page 66).
Remove and then reinstall any cards (see page 68).
Remove and then reinstall the graphics card, if applicable (see page 68).

"If the system cannot boot and there is a solid amber light, this indicates a problem with the system board."

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9100/en/index.htm

I have tried all of those things. I was thinking the motherboard since it did not post when I took the ram out. Is there any way to be certain that it is the motherboard?

If it is the motherboard, would it be a waste to try and find a replacement? And where would I find one at?

 

[IGemini]

There's not really any way to be certain other than using another board (or power supply, if that's the case). Shouldn't be too hard to find a board that supports Pentium D though, I imagine most 775 boards do.

 

[Lanyap]

I have tried all of those things. I was thinking the motherboard since it did not post when I took the ram out. Is there any way to be certain that it is the motherboard?

If it is the motherboard, would it be a waste to try and find a replacement? And where would I find one at?

This model uses a BTX based motherboard that appears to be a non-standard layout. I would try replacing the PSU first with a good quality low priced unit. If that does not fix the problem you can always keep it as a spare. There are a few motherbaords listed on ebay. You can also check spare parts places using google but their price is probably going to be higher.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9100/en/SM/techov.htm#wp1053345

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=de...erboard&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19313415/19623216.aspx

 

[strep3241]

I feel so stupid now. The reason it would not come on at all is because I had the wrong cpu installed. I had a q6600 in there just to see if it would work with that board and it doesn't.

So I put the original Pentium D back in and it comes on now but still can not get it to load windows. As soon as it gets to the Windows XP loading screen, it restarts.

So I thought I would just reinstall Windows and start fresh but the Windows setup does not recognize a hard drive. Bios recognizes it as well as Dban. I thought I would try to format it with Dban but I get an error with that as well.

The only thing that I think could have happened is I took the drive out and installed it in an external enclosure that is connected to this computer. Could that have done something to it?

If I can't get this thing going, that is not a big deal. I will just salvage what I can from it and pitch the rest. Would the motherboard, cpu, and psu be worth saving from it? Is there any chance I can sell that stuff?