Computer takes three attempts to fire up.

[Bugsy]

Hello.

 

I have a Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop computer. It has worked faultlessly until recently.

 

On pressing the power button, the computer's behaviour has always been for the fan (I presume the power supply cooling fan?) to fire up at max speed for around 2 to 3 seconds before slowing down to a quiet purr and then the BIOS 'beep' sounds and the machine goes through its usual start-up process. I presume this is normal.

 

For the last week, however, what happens every time is that after the 3-second fast 'whirr', the computer goes 'click' and the power shuts off - the light in the power button goes out. A couple of seconds later, it comes on again - another fast whirr - and 'click', it goes off. It fires up a third time, and this time stays on...!

 

Any ideas what the problem could be - PSU?

 

Many thanks.

[Jelly Bean]

Hello.

 

Yes its possible a faulty PSU.

Can you borrow a compatable one from a friend or do you have one to test the system?

Also check all internal cables are fully connected....

[Bugsy]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jelly Bean.

 

I'm afraid I don't have a spare power supply to test it with, so I'd need to have as good an idea as possible as the likely cause before I buy a replacement part.

 

I'll certainly check the cable connectors - I guess the insides could do with a good 'vacuum' anyway!

 

Do the symptoms point to anything specific - it always take three 'cycles' before it settles into a proper start-up; it doesn't strike me as tho' a poor connection could cause something so consistent?

 

Cheers.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

On reading your description the first thing that came to mind was PSU - in this respect J-B and I are in agreement.

 

You could try taking the RAM modules out and try them one at a time.

 

Also check for a buildup of dust.

[Bugsy]

Thanks, Ken.

 

I'll be opening 'er up and giving it a good clean out soon , and checking connectors and any obvious signs of failing components/overheating in the PSU.

 

I guess it makes sense in that there's quite a large initial 'surge' demand on the PSU on start-up, and any failure of it to supply the required current could make the whole computer shut off. It's strange that it's such a repeated phenomenon - it always makes three attempts before it manages to fire up, all by itself.

 

Where would you suggest I source a new PSU from? There are some stupidly cheap ones out there, but I reckon they are best avoided...

[Jelly Bean]

Cheap is not good....

 

I usaly buy off Amazon and Play.com....

 

OCZ is what I recommend....

[KenB]

Antec is another good option.

 

If you are in the UK I have used Dabs.com

[Bugsy]

Thanks JB and Ken.

 

Is 'OCZ' a make or a supplier? Er, ditto 'Antec'?

 

I'm sure if I have a YZ449 or an FY628 - both come up on searches for the PSU for an Inspiron 530. I'm suspecting that Dell use a peculiar casing type so that only the original exact type will fit?

 

My old computer also had a failed PSU - no doubt on that one, a cap actually exploded... - but, being a standard mini-tower, PSUs were plentiful and cheap for that one. Do Dells have peculiar types?

[KenB]

Is 'OCZ' a make or a supplier? Er, ditto 'Antec'?

They are both makes.

 

Dell use a peculiar casing type

Correct.

Many Dell systems use BTX motherboards ( not the usual ATX )

If you have a Dell then you will need to be very careful that you get a compatible PSU.

BTX was introduced around 2005.

Prior to that it would have been ATX

 

The FY628 is Dell compatible.

300Watt

It is compatible with your machine.

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Dell-300watt-Inspiron-Mini-Tower/dp/B00450CT8M

[Bugsy]

Thank you! Both :)

[KenB]

Let us know how you get on :)

[Bugsy]

Willdo. Typically, it's behaving itself today...

 

I'll certainly be giving it a 'service', tho'!

[Bugsy]

Well! Someone found this link for me: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19343947/19740698.aspx#19740698 and it has exactly my symptoms. And my current video card is an Nvidia 8600GT jobby.

 

I'll be giving it a close look, but suspect it'll need replacing some time soon. Which brings me to my next Q - what card do I replace it with?!

 

I'm talking as someone who is completely out of touch with the latest PC components. I have no need for intensive gaming - my pooter wouldn't cope anyways - but would hope that the new card would be a slight improvement, if anything, over what I currently have.

 

In the link above, the fellow fitted a Radeon HD5570, but points out that it should really have a 400W power supply, so I won't be going there... There's the HD5450 which is very well priced for a 2GB card - any good?

 

Of course, I'm not saying it's the video card, but it sounds from what I read as tho' Nvidias are temperamental in this way.

 

Oh, and I installed SpeedFan recently and it indicates a hot GPU - with a helpful little 'flame' symbol beside it. I'm assuming GPU is Graphics PU? The strange thing is, if I test it immediately on startup, it already suggests it's hot at 63oC - could it possibly get that hot in a minute, or does it suggest that the temp sensor (amongst other things...) could be pooped?

 

Ta!

[KenB]

Hi Bugsy,

 

Interesting - and not a solution that immediately comes to mind.

 

One way to test it out ....

Take the video card out and switch on.

 

You will get POST beeps - but if it doesn't shut down then you have located the problem.

You will need to try this a good few times as you say that it is OK at the moment.

 

ALso - if you have on-board graphics ( you may have 2 similar connections at the back of the machine for your monitor )

Try the on-board connection instead of the Video Card one.

 

=================

Regarding choice of card:

Take a look here....

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2964.html

 

The 5570 is top of the list :)

 

Note:

Most Video Card upgrades will require a new PSU if yours is less that 400W - it does, however, depend on your choice of card.

 

=================

 

GPU = Graphics Processing Unit

[Bugsy]

Thanks.

 

Yes, I'll be confirming that diagnosis before swapping cards. The 'well-behaved' bit lasted, ooh, one day! So, hopefully it'll be easy to spot the results from the ripping-out-the-card test.

 

Useful link to video card reviews - thanks for that too. I have no intention of upgrading my PSU, tho', as the computer - as it stands - does everything I need of it. It's a shame that the review didn't mention the 'runners-up' in each section as I'd probably be looking at a different sub-$75 card, one which doesn't need a power up-grade.

 

Any idea of other good review sites? I will have a search myself too, of course!

[KenB]

You don't say what the wattage of your PSU is. ( probably 300W ? )

As I said earleir - most Video Cards require more than this.

 

Suggest you google " Video Card 300w psu"

Be aware of the date of the articles / posts you find.

I don't think you are going to find much.

[Bugsy]

Graphics card choice.

 

Hi again!

 

First, to conclude my last thread - http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/12216-Computer-takes-three-attempts-to-fire-up.?p=78983 - which has been closed, the graphics card does seem to be the culprit right enough. I've given the whole machine a darn good clean and removed the GeForce 8600 GT (512MB) card - and all started up as it should. Replaced card and whirrrr-click x 3.

 

So, even tho' it does always fire herself up after three attempts and appears to be working fine, I'd like to short-list a new card for eventual replacement.

 

The Inspiron 530 has only a 300W PSU, so I know that limits things greatly. However, I am not actually looking to necessarily improve its performance as it currently does everything I want it to.

 

What I'm struggling to do is to compare the performances of the budget cards out there - is there a simple quantifiable figure I can use so that I can tell that this card is 'better' than that one?!

 

Ok, I can always get hold of the same card as I currently have - they can still be found, even new ones - but they seem to be more expensive than more recent equivalents at around £50+. I'm also taken by the idea of cards with 'passive' cooling as they consume less power and are quieter.

 

So how can I compare the performances of my current GeForce 8600 GT (512) with, for example, a Radeon HD 4550 (1GB)? Is there a 'figure' I should be looking for?

 

And the HIS HD5450 (1GB) is a passive-cooled unit and stupidly cheap. Why is this? Is it 'any good'?! Better or worse than my existing GeForce 8600?

 

Thanks :o

[KenB]

Hi,

I have re-opened the Thread and merged your most recent post so that there is continuity :)

 

I don't know why this thread was closed - I was waiting for a reply.

You don't say what the wattage of your PSU is.

 

tell that this card is 'better' than that one?!

Not really - only by reviews as far as I know.

 

I will get back to you re comparing Cards.

[KenB]

Hi

 

Found this review here:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2010/02/09/radeon-hd-5450-review/1

 

There is not a great deal of difference between the HD5450 and HD 4550.

 

You need to note that if you are considering the 5450 the red heatsink adds width to the card and it will need 2 slots width on the motherboard.

 

The review also suggests that the added expense of the 1GB as opposed to the 512MB

will not give a performace that warrants spending the extra.

 

This card is not designed for gaming.

 

It looks to be a decent card for the money.

 

This card is not designed for gaming.

[Bugsy]

Thanks for joining the threads! And for the helpful replies - there should be enough on there to sort me out. :D

 

I'm not a 'gamer' as such, tho' my kids use Free Realms (*sigh*) and other on-line sites. What I have is plenty good for that.

 

On someone else's advice, I'm going to try a reinstall of the graphics drivers on the off-chance that it's a glitch in the software that's causing this - what are the chances, I wonder?! It's a weird fault - the card is clearly working fine is all other respects; Windows Aero Graphics score is coming up as 5.9, and Gaming 5.5.

 

Anyways, thanks very much for all your help - looks like I've got a solution. Cheers!

[KenB]

Reinstalling the Video drivers is worth a try.

Remove the old drivers first from Control Panel > "Programs and Features".

 

We will leave this thread open so that you can let us know how you get on :)

[Bugsy]

Tried the reinstall (after uninstall) with the latest driver from the NVidia site. I kinda knew it wasn't going to work at the 'uninstall' part since the computer did its usual 3 starting attempts when it came to 'you need to restart your computer to complete the uninstall'... Sure enough, after the new drivers were up and running, it behaved just as it did before, so clearly a hardware problem, I guess.

 

Took a punt on another 8600GT card - this time with 1GB RAM - which was described as being only '6 months old' - yes, I'm mean; yes, I'm Scottish...

 

I'll let you know if it sorts it :rolleyes:

[KenB]

yes, I'm mean; yes, I'm Scottish...

You Scots are not all that bad - after all ......you gave us porridge :)