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Computer startup issues?

Let me be clear, i am not some computer illiterate moron. I know what "plugged in the wall" means.

Here's the problem, my computer is 2010 Dell Inspiron One desktop unit (all in one, cpu/moniter unit). Just today i experienced a servere startup issue.

Basically the computer would not power on at all. Here are all the trouble shooting ideas i have already checked off.

A/C cord (good. i tested another a/c cord to be sure) Wall Outlet (good) the back of the computer that recieves the plug isnt damaged in anyway, and connector pins are clean and almost in new condition. Strangely enough, i was only able to get the computer to start one way, i had to wiggle the a/c cord plug ( going into the computer rear) in the socket until i heard an electrical contact sound (like a small crinkle sound) i did this while holding the power button, i knew the computer was getting power because i would see a small red light inside the back, but everytime i did this, the computer would attempt to start but then it would immeadiately turn off. So i repeated this process until the computer was able to start again. Through this process i was able to get the computer to fully boot up, upon booting it said on a black screen that "earlier start up attempts have failed". Then the computer launched start up repairs, and it asked me if i would restore it to an earlier point in time and i chose yes. The computer made a mention of a possible "disk error". When i was able to log on i attempted a manual system restore but the computer said it could not restore the OS(C) drive.

So heres an interesting note, when i was able to get the computer to boot again after about 100 startup failures, it ran fine, i was even able to restart it a few times, but i left the computer on sleep mode and then suddenly it wouldn't wake up or start up again, so i had to do what i did the first time to make it turn on.

What can you reccomend i do? Should i reinstall the OS, take the computer to get fixed, could the back plug be bad, or could a "Disk error" be the cause, and if so what is this, and how do i fix this?

any help is appreciated.

Update:

Please remember this is a ALL IN ONE unit, the CPU is located in the moniter, there is NO tower only the moniter. So if you recommend i remove the PSU thats impossible, as the all in one unit is almost impossible to get open without running the risk of serious damage or moving parts out of places that could be hard to get back in

4 Answers

Relevance
  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The most possible cause is your PSU ( Power Supply Unit ) is defect.

    Stop trying to power on the computer or you're on the risk of damaging your harddrive and possible other components too.

    Replace or repair the PSU, if possible borrow one from a friend which compatible with your CPU.

    ADD:

    Ohh...heck

    Well, if it's all in one, I think you should contact nearby Dell customer service because I think it's hardware related and you might be in the risk of losing your product warranty if you try to fix it ( blindly ) yourself

  • 10 years ago

    here is what should happen under NORMAL operation

    for good quality equipment like DELL.

    A PC power supply must be kept PLUGGED IN at the wall

    socket with the wall socket ON. This keeps the PS in standby.

    During this time it POWERS the MOBO.

    whilst the MOBO is POWERED it is in STANDBY. During this

    time it MONITORS the state of the ON OFF button which is

    SENSED and does NOT act like a SWITCH. It just gives an indication

    that you would like the POWER SUPPLY to START the MOBO.

    to do this succesfully and avoid a FAILED start the power supply

    and mobo must be charged up if you like, ie plugged in, in standby

    for more than 30 secs.

    Thus if you walk up to the socket on the wall, turn on the power,

    then immediately press the ON switch on the pc. The pc and supply

    will NOT be READY yet. You MAY get a start but like as not you

    will get one of these

    1 the computer may try and kick in then give up within 5 secs

    2 it will appear to start, hard drive kicks in, monitor on, but graphics card

    ...fails to start. pc will just sit there till you turn it off

    3 you may get a kind of start thats a bit wobbly, and by the time your

    ...log in screen gets up anything could be happening including not actually

    ...managing to get any further.

    4 sometimes on switching on the wall socket the pc may false start. Turn it

    ...off immediately as it wont be a reliable start. wait the 45secs or so before

    ...switching on properly

    There is one more spanner in the works.

    Dell supplies and mobos have intelligence in them. For a CPU

    when it first gets its hit of power, it pumps out a massive heat

    surge. This is compensated for by the FAN doing a quick burst.

    Im sure you know what i mean.

    If you restart the mobo, more than a certain number of times,

    in a few minutes, then a FAILSAFE MODE kicks in. This is

    doing you a BIG FAVOUR, it is SAVING YOUR CPU.

    The mobo will implement a HARDWARE LOCK OUT by using

    a timed circuit to PREVENT FURTHER STARTS. This

    lasts for around 30mins. During that time it is FUTILE and

    extremely STUPID to try and restart the PC. any success

    would permanently damage the CPU and the MOBO.

    to re-cap then

    1 make sure your power lead is properly pushed into the power supply

    ...ALL THE WAY IN.(it must fit properly) push it in and out a few

    ...times to make sure. Make certain it is the RIGHT lead for the PC

    ...and not a replacement or the monitor lead which may be slightly

    ...different as regards the 3 sockets and how well they make contact.

    2 Make sure your wall socket is in GOOD condition. No corrosion

    ...that is indicated by sparking plugs. Replace if more than 10 years old

    3 make sure the PLUG is in GOOD condition, no corrosion to

    ...cause sparking plug. Replace if in doubt.

    4 Leave the wall socket ON to keep the mobo in standby.

    5 if you do need to turn off the wall socket, then wait 45secs after switching

    ...it on, before you push the pc start button to allowing charging up

    ...and settle down time. If the pc auto starts when you switch the wall socket

    ...on, then just hold the pc start button in for 5 secs to force it off until the 45secs

    ...has passed.

    6 NEVER restart the pc multiple times in QUICK succession.

    i hope this helps you understand why your pc is doing what it is doing

    a power supply holds enough CHARGE to KILL you.

    messing around with sparking circuits is very stupid thing to do.

  • 10 years ago

    That's the drawback of convenience. Your PSU is most likely faulty. You should take it to a professional if you are concerned about damaging the unit yourself.

  • 5 years ago

    through fact which you have already accomplished somewhat some issues to restoration the subject which includes registry cleansing and virus scanning, in all probability you will desire to get your computing device fixed from some professionals. i individually, want, Click4support, in those situations. they help me many situations. attempt them..

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