Intermittent Power up issue with Dell Inspiron 570

Keplar240B

I have a intermittent power problem with a Dell Inspiron 570(maybe five years old) windows 10

It NEVER happens on a reboot only on a cold start.

About 20% of cold starts.

What happens is that i turn on the PC, it intermediately shows an amber light on the bootbutton (which normally would have be Blue)
A Steady Amber light means Sleep mode
and then little happens.
i hear no beep as it be would be starting up
there is no image whatsoever on the screen
its just doesn't load up anything at all,
only thing working is that all the fans are running and all the hardware seems to be responding etc
The keyboard has no reaction whatsoever. there is NO Bios to get into cus it simply doesnt get to that,

I recycle the power one or two tries and off it goes.
I am worried this could go permanent
Is there anything I check or run, I have run memtest on RAM, its passed. I don't have a spare PSU to swap in.

mordeith

Might be worth replacing the CMOS battery

Keplar240B

mordeith wrote: »

Might be worth replacing the CMOS battery

Did that there that's the one Spares I have!
It measured 2.84V on bench new ones I had all about 3.2V.

edit
Happened again that was not it!

SickBoy

I had a similar problem with a Dell Vostro system recently and it turned out to be a failing power supply.

Keplar240B

The power supply is an JSP-750P12N 750W ATX PSU Power Supply
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Alpine-JSP-750P12N-750W-ATX-PSU-Power-Supply-/311219671

Are they crap?

I never replaced or purchased a PSU before.

The computer just a basic PC nothing added,
http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-inspiron-570/specs/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspiron-570-SMT-MA785R-4GJJT-04GJJT-AMD-Socket-AM3-Micro-ATX-Motherboard-/252237900006?hash=item3aba8ce8e6:g:lBYAAOSwGotWirPL

Looking at
second hand 35 euros
AXP Simplepower AXP-630P12P - power supply - 630 Watt


PC world 60 euro
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 Fixed ATX PSU - 430 W
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/corsair-builder-series-cx430-fixed-atx-psu-430-w/313444/403.3.0

Maplin 50 euro
http://www.maplin.ie/p/cit-550w-atx-pc-power-supply-n43gu

SickBoy

The PSU is not something worth skimping on. Go for the Corsair.

niallb

I've seen this happen on lots of Dell PCs in the past.
It was a well known issue for a while with some series,
and was due to cheap capacitors both in the PSU and on the board itself.
I got stung on a batch of GX260s and GX240s.

You might be unlucky and the fault may be on the motherboard, so if you can avoid buying a new power supply do. Anyone able to loan you one for a weekend?
What part of the country are you in?

Keplar240B

niallb wrote: »

I've seen this happen on lots of Dell PCs in the past.
It was a well known issue for a while with some series,
and was due to cheap capacitors both in the PSU and on the board itself.
I got stung on a batch of GX260s and GX240s.

You might be unlucky and the fault may be on the motherboard, so if you can avoid buying a new power supply do. Anyone able to loan you one for a weekend?
What part of the country are you in?

Ya thanks, I got a lend of a PSU yesterday, it was NOT the PSU , I was really hoping it was.


I ruled out the RAM modules 99% as well

Interestingly

The first memory slot (DIMM 4) is damaged,
Which the service manual says should contain the memory module if using 1 or 2 modules
I have two RAM module in 2 out of 4 slots.
DIMM4 damage, there is a clip missing and two of the contacts "teeth" are damaged looks like a fault that happened at manufacture although this is a second hand PC. My RAM modules are in DIMM1 and DIMM3 slot which is configuration for a 560 PC not a 570 PC(which I have) . They should be in DIMM4 and DIMM3 for a 570. Maybe the service manual is wrong.
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/inspiron-560_service%20manual_en-us.pdf.
Although I don't think this is related to error as when I simulate a RAM error I always get the Blue LED status light never the Solid Amber which is the main fault indicator.

I am aware of capacitor plague and have visually inspected the motherboard PCB. All the's caps LOOK good .
I wonder is it worth my while replacing some of the bigger electrolytics on MB PCB or lifting out PCB and looking for dry joints on back.
Not much else left to check at this stage.

MB PCB = 4gjjt
MicroATX
AM3 socket
CPU AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 3 GHz
Chipset Type AMD 785G
DDR3 RAM

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Well first thing I would do is create a backup of all your files and folders.

I wouldn't trust memtest 100%, I bought a new PC recently and it had issues with startups, system locks and random power downs. The ram was fine as far as memtest was concerned, but the seller said it was faulty (I sent the suspect components back).

It could be an issue with the motherboard too. If you try to start the computer without the ram modules, you should hear some beep codes. If you don't hear any beeps, there could be an issue with the motherboard. Here's a list of their beep codes http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN293445/en

Check to see if all connections are tight on the motherboard.

Click the search icon in the taskbar and type msconfig, what is the startup selection? Maybe try Diagnostic Startup and see if that works the next time you have a cold start. If it works, update your antivirus and run it. I doubt this is the issue, but it's worth a try.

Dell seem to have a diagnostic tool which you may be able to access. There's a video and instructions there, which hopefully helps.

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN115162/en

Keplar240B

Emmaline Melted Weapon wrote: »

Well first thing I would do is create a backup of all your files and folders.

I wouldn't trust memtest 100%, I bought a new PC recently and it had issues with startups, system locks and random power downs. The ram was fine as far as memtest was concerned, but the seller said it was faulty (I sent the suspect components back).

It could be an issue with the motherboard too. If you try to start the computer without the ram modules, you should hear some beep codes. If you don't hear any beeps, there could be an issue with the motherboard. Here's a list of their beep codes http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN293445/en

Check to see if all connections are tight on the motherboard.

Click the search icon in the taskbar and type msconfig, what is the startup selection? Maybe try Diagnostic Startup and see if that works the next time you have a cold start. If it works, update your antivirus and run it. I doubt this is the issue, but it's worth a try.

Dell seem to have a diagnostic tool which you may be able to access. There's a video and instructions there, which hopefully helps.

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN115162/en

I booted with each RAM module individually and also acquired a new RAM module in different slots
and replicated same fault OLOD(orange light of death).

Also ran all the diags from BIOS menu and from Dell website everything passes 100%
100% of time.

---

So its definitely the MB PCB or the processor(unlikely I assume) , I have noticed the OLOD comes on as soon as I press button the instant
, like it does not even try to do anything at all.

Options

(a)
Live with problem, back up regularly, and put money towards new Computer future and pray it does not go permanent but in my experience temporary problems often become permanent.

(b)
change the seven Large radial electrolyte CAPS on MB PSB.
They look fine, Is this a pointless idea or might it work? about only thing I can try on MB PSU. the DELL is from 2010/2011

(c)
Buy an exact replacement MB
I assume this is just a straight swap no driver or OS issues.
4GJJT DELL AMD AM3 Socket Desktop PC Motherboard
not many of these about

(d)
Buy a different type of MB
that matches processor and RAM
MB PCB = 4gjjt
MicroATX
AM3 socket
CPU AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 3 GHz
Chipset Type AMD 785G
DDR3 RAM
Wheres a good cheap place to buy MB?
As its a DELL OEM will I have to re-install OS?
Will it even fit in DELL case?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Keplar240B wrote: »

I booted with each RAM module individually and also acquired a new RAM module in different slots
and replicated same fault OLOD(orange light of death).

Also ran all the diags from BIOS menu and from Dell website everything passes 100%
100% of time.

---

So its definitely the MB PCB or the processor(unlikely I assume) , I have noticed the OLOD comes on as soon as I press button the instant
, like it does not even try to do anything at all.

Options

(a)
Live with problem, back up regularly, and put money towards new Computer future and pray it does not go permanent but in my experience temporary problems often become permanent.

(b)
change the seven Large radial electrolyte CAPS on MB PSB.
They look fine, Is this a pointless idea or might it work? about only thing I can try on MB PSU. the DELL is from 2010/2011

(c)
Buy an exact replacement MB
I assume this is just a straight swap no driver or OS issues.
4GJJT DELL AMD AM3 Socket Desktop PC Motherboard
not many of these about

(d)
Buy a different type of MB
that matches processor and RAM
MB PCB = 4gjjt
MicroATX
AM3 socket
CPU AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 3 GHz
Chipset Type AMD 785G
DDR3 RAM
Wheres a good cheap place to buy MB?
As its a DELL OEM will I have to re-install OS?
Will it even fit in DELL case?

I think replacing the capacitors is worth a shot. I suspect the issue may be with the mobo itself. From experience, I find that most issues are with the mobo. It's also the hardest piece of hardware to test imo. If you could get your hands on a spare mobo that would be great.

Have you tried reseat the CPU? Give this a shot, and while you are at it, reapply the thermal paste if you are comfortable with this procedure.

If the PC fails to POST, it could be anything, but you have narrowed down your options as best as you could.

Windows is assigned to one PC which is a bit of a pain. If you swap out your mobo, you may be asked to validate your key again. I don't think it matters what type of mobo you purchased (same as old, or completely different). This happened to me recently and I contacted Microsoft, who gave me a second key for the new mobo. Hopefully, you don't need to do this, but it might happen.

whizbang

Replacing Caps on the Mobo is not easy and unless you have some very specialised equipment, and very good parts suppliers, you are more likely to do harm.

OP you have an issue with Sleep/Hibernate. its not hardware. Google Windows power troubleshooter.

Keplar240B

Emmaline Melted Weapon wrote: »

I think replacing the capacitors is worth a shot. I suspect the issue may be with the mobo itself. From experience, I find that most issues are with the mobo. It's also the hardest piece of hardware to test imo. If you could get your hands on a spare mobo that would be great.

Have you tried reseat the CPU? Give this a shot, and while you are at it, reapply the thermal paste if you are comfortable with this procedure.

If the PC fails to POST, it could be anything, but you have narrowed down your options as best as you could.

Windows is assigned to one PC which is a bit of a pain. If you swap out your mobo, you may be asked to validate your key again. I don't think it matters what type of mobo you purchased (same as old, or completely different). This happened to me recently and I contacted Microsoft, who gave me a second key for the new mobo. Hopefully, you don't need to do this, but it might happen.

Reseating the CPU fixed it,

It was on my list of things to try but I had not because I had no thermal paste handy.
and I did not think that reseating the CPU would fix an intermittent problem.

I suppose bad contact introduced a few extra ohms and depending on voltage characteristics of the cold start, POST was passing or failing on a borderline basis.

well pleased