dell dimesion not working

[chiefofstaff]

I bought a dell dimension 8200 from a garage sale
I think they were made 4 years ago
I pluged it in and it does not work
I opend the inside and pluged it in and the fans are not working
The computer does not go on

As soon as I plug it in and turn it on the monitor senses that the computer is there
but the monitor does not go on

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/techov.htm#1101836

I am spending some time here to figure out the problem

How do the professionals repair computers
Is there a way to test each part in the computer
Do i have to remove each part and replace it with a working part to know where the broken part is

 

[goombawaho]

I'm going to be honest with you - you need someone that knows what they're doing. It could be a bad power supply, but without a spare power supply to test or a power supply tester, it's kind of tough to do that diagnosis and you don't want to buy a new power supply just to test it.

It could be something as simple as a bad switch too, so again, seek professional help. Computers problems can be bedeviling for even experienced techs.

 

[kjv1611]

Or if you picked it up at the yard sale specifically for learning, and are wanting to spend a little extra for the learning experience, you could look around, and first get a power supply tester yourself - online, I guess, or just keep fiddling.

But be careful, as they are electrical devices. You don't want to get zapped bad by the wrong part. So keep your fingers clear while testing/working.

Do plenty of web searching (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc), and you may find someone who fixed/repaired one of those online with pictorial walk-throughs. Or at least perhaps you can find somewhere that lays that one out, and shows you what each piece is and what it does.

So, did you get this laptop specifically for the purpose of learning, or did you get it, hoping it would work, or what? What is your goal here?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi Folks
Thanks for your help.
kjv1611 this is not a laptop and I said I bought it bought the reality is the the person just gave it to me
He was selling it for 25 dollars and nobody bought it so I asked him how much and he just gave it to me.

I think he replaced one of the fans and tried a few things but he gave up on it.

I would like to learn from this computer and also I need a computer for installing linux emc2 for cnc milling

But the challange of mixing the computer for me is imoprtant

I love those pictorial walk-throughs if I could find me that would be great I did try to find help on the internet but I had no succes.

Thanks again guys I really appreciate your help

 

[goombawaho]

Your sentences are very tough to follow.

If you're going to continue, the first suspect is power: Power supply or power switch IF you get NO lights/No sounds when you press the power button and no LEDs lit on the motherboard when it's plugged into a power outlet.

Clearly, you have to borrow a power supply to test or buy a power supply tester. I like the first option because I have seen power supply testers pass a power supply and then when I hook up a new one - problem solved.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...MATCH&Description=power+supply+tester&x=0&y=0

 

[kjv1611]

Thanks for specifying. Not sure why I assumed a laptop, I guess I was guessing at the model #.

So, this is what you're getting so far:

Monitor seems to recognize the computer turned on, but nothing else does.

Very first, an important note: I'd highly suggest taking pictures of where everything is and/or documenting it as best you can. That way, when you're putting it back together, you can make sure that you put everything back in the original place... if you don't end up needing to change one of those. The main point is that you'll have a visual point of reference.

Now, this'd be worth the learning process, anyhow: I'd go ahead and disconnect everything except for the processor/heatsink/fan, and the power connector(s) from the power supply.

Here's a review I found on your desktop. You're looking at technology from 7 years ago, at least, per the review:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,3158,00.asp

My initial guess for this is that the power supply and/or motherboard is dead or dying. But that doesn't mean it's definitely the case.

If you can remove everything from the case except for these:
Power Connections (connections from power supply to motherboard)
Processor, heatsink, and fan - don't move those just yet.
Front panel connections - this is where your power button, reset button, hdd led(s), speaker, etc typically connect. You want to leave these in place if they are all connected.

Also, unplug the power connections to your drives - hard drive, optical (cd/dvd) drive, floppy drive, zip drive if there, etc...

This also means pulling out any add-in cards - PCI, AGP, etc. Anything plugged into a brown/black/white slot at the bottom of the case most likely... or for that matter - anything plugged into any slot at the bottom of the board.

Even go ahead and unplug the power connections from any case fans. Only leave the power connection from the motherboard to the fan on your processor/heatsink.

You don't have to actually take your drives OUT of the case, just disconnect them for now.

Once you have everything disconnected (including RAM), as metnioned above, keep your fingers clear of the motherboard, fans, etc, and try to power up the machine while watching the fans, etc. Also listen for beeps. If you're motherboard is getting enough power, and you do have a case speaker, then it should at least beep telling you the memory is missing or unrecognized. The fan on the CPU should be spinning.

If you don't hear beeps, then either you don't have a speaker, or else it's definitely the power supply or motherboard.

Do you happen to have another desktop computer of any sort to borrow parts from for testing? If so, you can have a much better chance of finding the issue.

Oh, also, you can visually inspect the motherboard, to see if you have any bulging/busted/leaking capacitors:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195

If you do have those, then unless you've got the right equipment for soldering this, and can get some replacement capacitors cheap, then you need a new motherboard. You can probably find a used one cheap on eBay, I'd imagine, that's identical to yours. If not, you can probably find a P4 motherboard on eBay or elsewhere that will work for cheap. It is old hardware, so i'd not spend more than $30 on a used mobo, total.

Anyway, glance over these poorly placed thoughts, look over your system as best you can, and post back.



--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

Also, you may find some helpful references at other forum threads where people have worked through the exact same model with problems. I found one from just a month ago:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19295801.aspx

Here's a search for that:

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=dell+dimension+8200+desktop+no+power

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi kjv1611 & goombawaho
Thanks for your your help especially the long post by kjv1611.

I have to buy a camera for starter I have wanted to get one for a long time and now is the time.
As soon as I start working on this I will post some pictures and well take it from there.
Thanks again

 

[tlcscousin]

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/codes.htm#1101572

Dimension 8200's should have diagnostic lights on the back as well, if you look at the lights and then refer to the link it shows what the lights mean.

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi tlcscousin
On this computer there is no diagnostic lights I looked in the inside and I dont see anyting like that.
Anyway I will be getting my camera in a day or 2

For the sake research I will continue to invest some time into this computer
Thanks

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi Folks
I will probably get the camera in a day or 2
I am still comparing prices and quality

But in the mean time I went to Google image andI found lots of pictures of the inside of computers.

here is one as an example

http://img247.imageshack.us/i/mypc1kv9.jpg/

 

[kjv1611]

You know, you may can find a whole slew of images from Dell directly of the innards of your computer model. I've seen that for a couple of models... it's somewhere under support, and it doesn't say "pictures"... it's listed under manuals or something. Maybe someone else will have a better idea.

Oh, and on your camera, I can personally whole-heartedly recommend the Canon Powershot CS.... series. I got the CS3 IS a little over 3 years ago, and it's been an amazing camera. It's taken abuse from a baby, now toddler, not to mention I've dropped it myself a time or two. It takes AA batteries, which is great for not having to worry about what to do if the current battery/set goes bad. It takes great pictures, great video, and records great audio. It also can be used for some really good macro photographs if you have the patience to try that sort of thing. I've seen some folks post their macro pictures of all sorts of things on the web. The newest Powershot cameras (some of them) can actually take RAW images as well, which before was only for SLR cameras.

Of course, Canon's SLR cameras are also something to consider, if you have the budget. They actually have one or two of those which now take video like the Powershots. But the difference is the video is not too great for a high-end camera. I thought it would be, but found a review where a guy gave lots of samples from the camera, and suggested, you're best off looking elsewhere for the video part.

Well, that's not the intent of this thread, directly. I'll hush.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi kjv1611 and everyone else
Thanks for your help

My budget is about 150 dollars for the camera
I have been hearing about these digital cameras that can be used as web cams but I couldnt find much information like who makes them
I heard that logitech quick pro has web cams that are good
I guess you can take pictures with web cams.


How many fans should a computer like this have
This one has 3
1 in the power supply box
1 over something that looks like a transformer in the mother board

Plus this on that looks like it was install be the person giving me the computer
On the fans there is a $4.95 price tag and it is not mounted on anything it is hanging by 2 wires


Yesterday I pluged in this computer without the monitor or the mouse and keyborads.
I did this with the case open.

The fan I said that looks like it was connected there by the person giving me the computer
As soon as I pluged in the computer that fan started working for about 20 seconds and then it stoped.
The other 2 fans didnt work at all

Also on the motherboard there was a small green lite on.

There is a computer store near us I will go there and see if he sells power supply box
and Ill ask him if he can check ths one.

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi Folks
I found these on the internet

http://www.danzfamily.com/archives/blogphotos/328computeropen.jpg

http://www.hardwarecentral.com/graphics/screenshots/1092260555486dimd521.jpg

I cant find that 3rd fan the guy connected to this computer

 

[chiefofstaff]

I am thinking that if the problem was with the power supply box do you think that the fan would start to work and then stop.

 

[BadBigBen]

Yes, a fan needs only the 12v rail, where as the PC needs also the 5v and 3.3v rails, to function, and if one of these is busted then the PC will behave in the way that you describe...

The other 2 fans didnt work at all

if the PSU fan did not work, then definitely replace the PSU... the mainboard fan, ergo the HeatSink Fan of the CPU, should also be working, but since it does not, it tells me that the protection circuit is kicking in and powering down the mainboard (fan not detected on CPU, circuit cuts in to protect CPU from overheating, and turns off power to components)...

you may be ending up replacing the HSF as well...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[chiefofstaff]

Hi BadBigBen!
Thanks for your help.
This will probably be my first computer that I am repairing.
Thats why I dont know the inside of the computer that well.
I am assuming that FAN 2 is the PSU fan
FAN 3 is the motherboard fan

FAN $ 4.95 is that the HSF fan?
that is the one the people replaced
it is connected with black and red wires coming out of the power supply box
there was dried glue on it I think they tried to mount it somewhere
and I dont know where it should go
that is the fan that works for about 20 seconds and then stops
the other dont work at all

Then you are saying that I should replace
FAN 2 and FAN 3
Thanks for your help

http://img21.imageshack.us/i/94973619.jpg/

 

[tlcscousin]

Fan 2 is the power supply fan and changing the power supply gets a new fan to change the power supply fan you have to dismantle the power supply and usually if the power supply fan is gone the power supply has been overheated and will shorten its life span.

Fan 3 is the CPU fan and it must work to keep the CPU cool.

The one you label as $4.95 appears to be an add on fan someone has installed to try adding more airflow.

 

[BadBigBen]

correcto mundo, tlcscousin...

I would first get the PSU replaced... then check if the other fans work...

the power connector (20 pin) seems like a standard off the shelf PSU power connector... according to the Documentation, see the following links for cross referencing:

Dell Dim 8200 Documentation:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/techov.htm#1101565

The Hardware Book ATX Powersupply:

http://www.hardwarebook.info/ATX_Power_Supply

Now, though, the PSU installed may not be of standard (normed) size, since it is only rated at 250w (way underpowered in my book, should have been at least 350w+ for a P IV system)... if you are going to purchase a PSU, make sure that it has 400w at least, but before you do, see if you can borrow one from a friend or talk to the local shop and see if they have one laying around which you could borrow to test, or at least return if it does not fit...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[kjv1611]

Few other things to cover...

HSF as BBB mentioned..

HSF = HeatSink Fan... commonly used to just refer to the whole thing, Heatsink and fan.

If you do some searching around, you can find HSF kits that'll fit your case. If you want, this'll also give you more practice:

1. Try the references already given above by BBB on finding the specifics for you PC, and/or going to the support.dell.com site, and getting additional info if avaialble..
1. Go to

http://www.newegg.com

2. Search for a PSU, sorted by reviews, that'll fit your budget. If you can afford a decent PSU, it's very well worth it. The cheapies might do good, but then again, they might not - and if they don't, they can fry some of your other components when they do go out.

3. Search for a Heatsink and Fan combo that is cheap/reasonable, and will work on a P4 - if NewEgg doesn't have it, you may can find one on Tigerdirect.com, amazon.com, or ebay.com

4. For that add-in fan, I'd suggest taking it out of the picture if you don't have a dedicated graphics card... for now. One less piece to worry about. Or if you want to keep a fan that size, it wouldn't hurt to get one on NewEgg at the same time as the other stuff. Just make sure it fits your case. Most likely an 80mm fan will do fine, but just depends upon your case. But I'd suggest not mounting it with just 2 wires if you were saying it was mounted with the wires... or with glue. Best to use the fan screws that come with most fans, or some sort of screws that will mount the fan to your case... just make it tight, so you don't get any rattling... but you still may not need it at all.

5. To reseat your heatsink - if you get a new combo, pick up some Artic Silver from NewEgg as well. There are others you can get, but Artic Silver has good instructions for how to use it properly on its website, and it works typically better than what comes with any CPU heatsink anyhow.


As for your camera budget. If you're getting it just for this, then i wouldn't really worry too much about it, unless you want Macro photography. You can get a really nice camera even for $150, but i'd say get one for less, so you can also get a good sized memory card.... or get one used on eBay...

Looks like if you're patient enough, you might could get a Canon S5 IS to fit in your budget, and they are very nice cameras:

http://photography.shop.ebay.com/Di...+s5+is&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

You just have to be patient, to be sure you don't get excited and go over your budget.

Then again, you could get one like I have, which is still an excellent camera (I've had mine for 3 years):

http://photography.shop.ebay.com/Di...s&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=1&_sc=1

Either way, I'd grab at least a 1GB card. Or really, I'd just go with at least a 4GB SDHC card. They are cheap, and give plenty of storage. I've filled up my 4GB SD cards a number of times with our camera, but I'd just go SDHC at this point in time... SDHC wasn't really standard when I got my camera. If the camera doesn't come with a good sized card, you can pick one up cheap on NewEgg.

Also, if your only purpose for your camera will be taking pics of your computer parts and such, I'd highly suggest sticking to regular cameras, rather than a webcam. There are still cheaper ones than what I mentioned. You can try searching for Canon Powershot, or if you prefer another brand, there are other good ones. I used to use Fuji, but I've just been in love with the Canon. I mean from every aspect, too.

Okay, enough from me today...

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me