My wife has a dell Dimension C521 and was using it the other day to play a game on. It suddenly froze and now it is unusable. When you try to reboot the power button on the front stays yellow. There is nothing at all on the screen either. Not possible to go into safety mode or anything. Any suggestions on what to try or what this could be? Thank yoiu in advance.
Sounds like it might be the power supply I would check that out first.If you have a spare one you can try or maybe borrow one from a friend to test it.If you have to buy one they don't cost much.
also check the silver top cans on the motherboard which are capacitors that they are flat topped not domed.
I think it is the power supply. I hooked up a tester and the power supply failed the test. If I buy a new one, does it have to be made for this model of computer? Can I buy say any other brand of do I have to look for something to make sure it is compatible?
Just get one that is compatable or a little higher wattage.I just bought one for about $40 dollars for my Dell.
Can you tell me what and where you got it? I am having trouble finding one other than refurbished Dell units.
I bought mine at Compusa.I live in El Paso,TX.They should sell them at any computer store like Compusa,Best Buy,Fry's electronics.Take the old one out and take it with you if you aren't sure which one too buy.There are 4 screws in the back to remove then unplug the cables inside.It isn't that hard to replace.Just a wild guess from your your log in name I take it you are from Texas also.
Dell make them different shape from the norm, just to screw us all. you can buy an atx psu cheaply just to test it is the psu b4 you go buying a dell psu, The best place is fleabay ,,used.
Well, I got the refurbished power supply in the mail. Hooked it up and still sthe same problem. Will not boot will not do anything. Nothing on the screen. Motherboard has a yellow light on it that shines steady. Do you think its the board? If so, I think I will junk it. This Dell has been the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. (I make my own now)
Usually at this stage its the board, try resetting the cmos, by removing the battery and if there is jumpers /short them. I have found that to work sometimes after replacing the psu.
dino21tx, can use parts off the dell like ram, cpu & drives to help you build your new pc to save money. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dimc521/en/SM_EN/specs.htm#wp1052631
