Optiplex not a Giant Specsavers but a Kaput Computer!

[andoverben]

Hello all haven't posted in this forum before, I am hoping that the magic of PH can solve my problem (well this one at least)

I have a Dell Optiplex SX270 (It certainly looks like this but I thought it was about 3ghz and is as at home at the moment so I can't check) It is about 2 years old or so. All was going well until about a month or 2 ago when I turned it on and the fan started looked like it was starting to boot and then it switched off. Since then it has been completley dead pressing the power key does nothing - nothing wrong with the power supply there is a green light on that and the connection to the computer is good as if I peer into the top I can se there is a little Orange light lit up inside,

So what does this mean and how do I fix it?

I have a work laptop which I have been using and I bought the missus a laptop when this computer gave up the ghost (Ebay is your friend) however it is inconveniant as the printer was plugged into it and there are several Photo Albums saved on there not to mention the update widget software for my snooper.

I have tried all the conventianal wisdom of shouting at it and kicking it and now having reached the limit of my technical knowledge thought I would throw myself at the mercy of the 'Techies'

[aldi]

Could be a lot of things, first thing - unplug mains for 2 minutes, unplug everything except the keyboard and monitor, then plug the power back in and try again.

[andoverben]

Tried that, actually left it for about 3 weeks and then plugged it back in in the hope that it was a bad dream and would start working (it didn't)

[xiphias]

There may be enough to power some leds, but I reckon the psu is still dead myself.

[andoverben]

if by psu you mean the box powerlead thing then it isn't as we have the same pc in the office and I swapped the leads to see if it makes a difference.

I was hoping somebody was going to say oh that is a common thing it is the engleburtwidgetmaflux and just needs reseting by inserting a sharp pointy device into a hole and hey presto Bob's your mothers brother.

[xiphias]

Nah, it's the actual box, not the lead. Simply swapping the lead won't help, you need to get a working psu (power supply unit) and wire it all up.

[andoverben]

I thought I had done that although I may have assumed that as the light was on, the Box was fine and only swapped the lead I can't quite recall.

Will try it again and see if it makes a difference (generally Green light equals good, Red light/no Light equals Bad)

[jimmyjimjim]

xiphias said:

Nah, it's the actual box, not the lead. Simply swapping the lead won't help, you need to get a working psu (power supply unit) and wire it all up.

Isn't the optiplex 270 the microscopic one with the external psu?

[spivvy]

on the optiplex SX270 range it is a motherboard fault if you look at the motherboard you will find at least 3 capacitors which are bulging at the top this is your problem it is a motherboard replacement job ,if you had 3 year warranty it will still be covered else you will have to source another motherboard

you could try www.hardwarespares.co.uk they are quite reasonalble on price




>> Edited by spivvy on Thursday 18th May 08:54

[Pigeon]

Easy enough to order some replacement capacitors from Farnell and solder them in.