A very dusty desktop will not power on at all

[Skymountcs]

So Hi guys this is my first thread on here and today I also went for what I would say is my first repair call on site.

My neighbor down the road has a Dell Inspiron Desktop 519 that will not respond when the power button is pressed. I tested the power supply and its good, and the motherboard did have a standby light on when plugged in. I tried to reseat the RAM, power button cables, and CPU but it made no difference. I also looked for physical signs like faulty capacitors and all that but found none. I did however have the fans running at one point, I think when I only had the 4 pin power connected (I'm not sure though, should've kept a log).

But here are the three things that raise eyebrows: The case is FILLED with dust and I mean filled everywhere even under the heatsinks by the CPU, also they said they let in run constantly for days. The third thing is that it stopped working after a power outage yesterday, but it is plugged into a surge protector and has no PSU issues at all.

So can anyone shed some light on my problem from past experience? I told them to bring it to me tomorrow so I can completely clean everything out.

 

[16k_zx81]

So can anyone shed some light on my problem from past experience? I told them to bring it to me tomorrow so I can completely clean everything out.

Consider taking a blower and brush with you to onsite jobs. No point working in a dirty case. Just adds additional problems with component seating and visual inspection.

Rule of thumb is, if you have tested and verified everything else, its board.

 

[Skymountcs]

Yeah I agree, I need to have a can of dust off on hand. I'm going to clean the whole thing out tomorrow and also try another power switch just in case, but I am thinking that it is the board.

Thank you for replying though, I greatly appreciate it!

 

[red12049]

So Hi guys this is my first thread on here and today I also went for what I would say is my first repair call on site.

My neighbor down the road has a Dell Inspiron Desktop 519 that will not respond when the power button is pressed. I tested the power supply and its good, and the motherboard did have a standby light on when plugged in. I tried to reseat the RAM, power button cables, and CPU but it made no difference. I also looked for physical signs like faulty capacitors and all that but found none. I did however have the fans running at one point, I think when I only had the 4 pin power connected (I'm not sure though, should've kept a log).

But here are the three things that raise eyebrows: The case is FILLED with dust and I mean filled everywhere even under the heatsinks by the CPU, also they said they let in run constantly for days. The third thing is that it stopped working after a power outage yesterday, but it is plugged into a surge protector and has no PSU issues at all.

So can anyone shed some light on my problem from past experience? I told them to bring it to me tomorrow so I can completely clean everything out.

Have you tried testing it with a known good power supply?

Rick

 

[Skymountcs]

Have you tried testing it with a known good power supply?

Rick

Yes I did but the problem didn't change at all.

 

[phaZed]

Silly question, but did you try to short the jumpers of the Power button, at the board? I have had a couple of systems where the power button either fell out of its press-fit position, or the switch/wires were bad. Shorting the jumpers on the board with your screwdriver eliminates that.

 

[mm201]

I mean filled everywhere even under the heatsinks by the CPU ...

If I'm understanding this correctly, there was dust between the CPU and the heat sinks? Better include some thermal grease in your travel kit if that's case.

 

[TechLady]

I have had a couple of systems where the power button either fell out of its press-fit position, or the switch/wires were bad. Shorting the jumpers on the board with your screwdriver eliminates that.

Yeah I actually replaced a motherboard once and later realized this is what had happened, arrrgh!

 

[papuchazo]

Consider taking a blower and brush with you to onsite jobs. No point working in a dirty case. Just adds additional problems with component seating and visual inspection.

Rule of thumb is, if you have tested and verified everything else, its board.

consider getting this puppy! http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW

I take it with me to every job, I like to hear the "wow" from the client when all accumulated dust goes flying out their case This thing pays for itself quickly in the money you save from not buying cans.

 

[Skymountcs]

Silly question, but did you try to short the jumpers of the Power button, at the board? I have had a couple of systems where the power button either fell out of its press-fit position, or the switch/wires were bad. Shorting the jumpers on the board with your screwdriver eliminates that.

Hey thanks for the tip, I actually didn't know that could be done. I had a power button break on my old desktop so I did play with it a little at their house earlier. Tomorrow I will have the machine at my place so I can try that as well.

If I'm understanding this correctly, there was dust between the CPU and the heat sinks? Better include some thermal grease in your travel kit if that's case.

Yes there was dust all over the CPU and the fan was filled with it. I'm going to clean it all off and put some new paste on it as well.

consider getting this puppy! http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW

I take it with me to every job, I like to hear the "wow" from the client when all accumulated dust goes flying out their case This thing pays for itself quickly in the money you save from not buying cans.

Thanks for the recommendation! I've been thinking about getting a small vac so I will probably order one soon.