Hi, HELP! new here with a problem

A bit of a long story, but if anyone can help, I’d be grateful.
I’m a novice computer person – just got my first one 4 years ago. Anyway. I got into gaming, and became friends with the guy who runs the server. We met, and he asked if I wanted to run a version of the server from my house. I said sure. He put together an old Dell Dimension 3000 and sent it to me from Canada. Apparently, customs opened the box and the computer, because when I received it, one of the memory sticks was floating around in the case. I put it back (correctly) and plugged the thing in, the fan was on, and an immediate foul odor came from it, so I pulled the plug, because it wouldn’t power down from the front panel - by the way – strange - the puter powered on as soon as I plugged it in. So, I called my friend and we slowly went through all the connections and everything seemed to be in order. I removed then re-inserted the memory, and plugged it in again. Again, it started on it’s own but there was a yellow blinking light. I unplugged it, waited, then plugged it in again. This time, the green light was on in the front panel and on the mobo; I got a beep code, wrote it down and checked the lights in the back – both of which, as indicated on Dell’s website – are memory issues. Never got any video – hence the beep code. The memory is the correct type, but just to be sure I went to J&R, checked it out, and bought a new 512 DDR PC3200 and tried it – same thing. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Hmm does this have intergrated (Built into the mobo) video or is there a video card? If there is a video card I would try removing that and plugging straight into the built in video adapter and trying it.

 

power supply issue maybe. or possibly a mother board issue. if youre getting odors of melting or burning electronics, that could be a sign of a power supply problem. if you can, try replacing the power supply with one you know to be good. also, check the motherboard for corroded capacitors or other electronic components, before trying a new power supply.
in the mean time, take the power supply out and give it a very short smell. just enough to get a scent. if it smells like burning components, get rid of it.

 

If it was the power supply do you think it would still power on? I guess it's possible if it wasn't completely dead but rather not putting out the power it should be. My first thought was mobo but could be the video card if it has one.

-A

 

itll still power on if its not completely shot. i had a computer here fill up a room with an odor of burning hardware. computer powered on just fine, but the power supply was completely burned. it sat in my office for a good 30 minutes before it cooled off.

thats why im saying though, take a quick wiff of the power supply. if it doesnt smell like the odor you smelled at first, then you can most likely rule that out. also be sure to check the mobo electronic components. if there are fried components, you could cause further damage to new hardware.

not saying your idea about a vid card issue couldnt be the problem, but a burning odor probably wouldnt be caused by that i wouldnt think. definitely worth checking in to.

 

ya no doubt that burning smell is definitely a concern lol I actually had a similiar problem with a computer build I did a while back ended up being that I didn't have my video card seated properly such an amateur mistake but a huge relief at the same time :cool

 

TY. Integrated video; power supply doesn't smell - it simply smells like the rest of the puter - and I went over the motherboard with a magnifying glass and flashlight. Nothing. No burn marks either. Is there a way to test the power supply or jump it without spending a fortune? I really want to do this myself without having to bring it somewhere - frustrating, but I like my newfound hobby. So far. Sorry, I'm pretty green.

 

Well I have a feeling it could be your mobo but there is still some troubleshooting left to do. I would see if you could get a hold of another known working power supply and try that out. If it does the same thing then you can pretty much rule out the psu as being the issue.

Are fans initiating just out of curiousity? is the mobo light on?

 

ok, I'm gonna try ripping out the power supply and either buy a new one or get a power supply tester - they're around 30 bucks. Like I said - I can't see anything else wrong. It was just weird that the beep codes and back lights indicate a memory problem. Perhaps inadequate power would do that. Maybe after that, I'll do the old process of elimination that I've heard about. Thanks much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yep, both fans are on, and the mobo light is, too.

 

ya I am thinking its the mobo but wouldn't hurt dropping a couple bucks on a new psu just to be sure.

Let me know how it goes! :cool