dell processor problem - dell dimension 5150

My dell dimension 5150 ran into some problems. When I turn it on, the power light stays an orange/amber color, instead of the normal green color. So I go about making sure everything is connected properly. Still same problem. One by one, I remove everything and try starting the computer, but still same problem. I have tried using a different power supply as well, but still same problem. Also, there is a green light that stays on on the motherboard when the computer is plugged in, but the power is off. When I pull the power plug from the back of the computer, the green light on the motherboard stays on for a few seconds and then disappears. For this, I assume a MB problem. Now, I called dell to talk to them about my problem and found that it would cost $50 just for them to listen about my problem since my warranty has expired, so I said I'll call them back if I can't figure it out elsewhere. If I do need a new motherboard, can someone please recommend one. On my motherboard, it says: Model: Connolly C RU(the R is backwards) US E187242 F2. I searched around and found that Connolly is Dell's personal motherboards, so can I find another motherboard that will work? I am not sure as to what processor I have, but I think it is a P4 prescott. Any help is much appreciated.

 

The green light is correct. Most motherboards have a green LED that is on whenever the PC is plugged into the mains, which turns off when the PSU discharges (this takes a few seconds after cutting the power to the system entirely). As for the problem, it does sound like a motherboard problem, but check that the power supply switch, and all the power connectors inside the PC are securely attached.

 

Is the power button flashing amber or solid amber?
The amber power button is usually a power supply problem.

 

@sammorris, by power connectors, do you mean the plugs coming from the power supply b/c I have unplugged and replugged them.
Also, I took my power supply from another working computer and tried it in the dell, but still the solid amber light.

If it helps, the fan runs perfectly when i turn the computer on. The dvd rom seems to kick on too.

 

Hmm. Try reseating your graphics card and/or RAM chips. (unplugging then plugging back in again). If no luck, and you have more than one stick of RAM, try the PC using only one, and then the other. If still no luck, or if you've only got one stick of RAM, I'm out of ideas.

 

I would start here.
Dell Support.
Troubleshooting Dell Dimension 5150/E510 service manual.
Scroll down to the section titled system lights.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/tshoot1.htm#wp1114195

 

I don't have an extra graphics card on the computer. I reseated the memory and i tried one piece and then the other piece, but still no luck.
As for the lights, I don't get any so that correlates to the the computer being off or a pre-BIOS failure. I am not sure what exactly the pre-BIOS failure would point to.
Also, what do you mean by check the power supply switch. I checked the connections inside for the power supply box- the 4 pin and the other larger (possibly 20 or so w/o actually counting) pin.
Do you mean the actual power button that I press to turn the computer on? There is a ribbon coming from there that goes into the MB. I took it out from the MB and put it back in, but I can't get to the end of the ribbon that is near the power button. It is placed in a way that I can't pull it out.

Also, I don't see any leaky capacitors or anything like that.

 

Well you've done pretty much all the diagnostic tests I can think of then. Either the PSU isn't putting out enough power to run the system properly, or the motherboard's failed (or some part of it). I'm doubtful the CPU's to blame.

 

I doubt it is the PSU b/c I tried another one from a working computer but still had the same problem. Also, I need to get some important information off of the harddrive as soon as possible. If I put the dell harddrive in another computer as a second harddrive, will it ask me to activate windows and all that good stuff or will my primary harddrive run first and the dell HD just sit there as storage?

 

Hmm, well, if it does throw a fit, go into the BIOS and make sure it's set to boot from the old drive first, then you'll be fine.
As far as the components go, I think you're right, it's probably the motherboard at fault.

 

I think the motherboard used in dell is for intel 945g express chipset(?). Looking through other forums, I see that many people say that motherboard for dell are specially designed and you can't buy any intel 945g motherboard. Is this true? meaning i will have to buy directly through dell.

 

You probably won't be able to get a replacement board exactly like that one, but you should be able to get one that will work with your other components.

 

I called dell and got a new motherboard($150 USD). I put the new one in and I still have the same problem- solid amber light. I call them again and they say it is probably the processor, but they can't tell for sure. They say my current processor is a P4 prescott 630 series 3.0 ghz Socket T. They say it can only be upgraded to a P4 series 650 3.4 ghz. Dell charges $337 for the first and $603 for the upgraded processor. I certainly dont want to pay that much for a just okay computer. I went to newegg.com and can't find socket T listed under intel processors. Can anyone help me find either processor for a decent price. If it costs anywhere near $300, i think that i'll just think about getting a new computer.

 

If I'm honest, you've spent a lot already, I'd ebay the parts that you know work and start again from scratch. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but finding old specialist parts to upgrade that PC will be expensive, and consequently not cost-effective.

 

Dell said that i could send the motherboard back so i will get $150 back. I do admit that it looks like i'll have to scrap it. I just wanted to see if it was possible to find the processors for cheaper. Just out of curiosity, is Socket T the same thing as LGA 775? If it is, i found this on newegg: Intel Pentium 4 631 Cedar Mill 3.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Single-Core Processor - Retail for just $68.99
This computer is not used for anything besides excel, word, and the internet so it does not have to be heavy duty.

 

I'm sorry to say that dell are right.. These cpu's are regular failures. Either they blow internally as yours has done silently, or in a more major short kind of way literally blowing a capacitor off the board.. usually the 3rd one from the top of the line next to the cpu. At one point last summer we were seeing 2 of these exact cpu and mobo combinations a week.

The trouble with the "silent fail" cpu fault like yours we found is you think.. must be the mobo, so you replace it with a known good one.. only to kill that one as well.

These are the machines that have got dell a bad reputation over the last couple of years. Their p3 series are close to indestructible.

 

Ok. Here are a few processors that I found. They are fairly cheap, so it would be good to just get them rather than a whole new computer. Will any of these work? I asked dell and they said i do have a prescott P4, so I don't know if only a prescott intel chip will fit.
This is the only Prescott LGA 775 on the list. Intel Celeron D 336 Prescott 2.8GHz 256KB L2 Cache LGA 775 84W Single-Core Processor - Retail$47.99

Here is the list of intel desktop singlecore LGA 775 processors on newegg They only have 7 processors on this list that they have in stock. If any of these would work, can you let me know.

Just a thought, is it possible that my initial motherboard is not bad because the chasis fan and my cdrom and dvd rom both fire up. If this is true, then I don't need a new MB. However, if my initial MB is bad, then the cost would be getting up there.

 

You'd never tell, the power to fans and drives is usually unaffected by board failure.

 

adawn101-
I have a dell dimension with the same motherboard and symptoms. It has the solid amber power button light and the fan and the sata disk spin up but nothing else seems to happen. No video, no beeps, etc.

I've done similar debugging tests- reseating ram, disconnecting nonessential peripherals such as modem card, disks.

After reading this thread I'm thinking of trying a replacement processor. Did a new processor fix your problem?