Constant Standby Mode

[never7]

Hey I'm just going to be straight up honest here, I'm not really that good with computers on the diagnostic/internal side. As far as applications and replacing parts go, I'm fine. The problem is that I currently have two Dell Optiplex GX150s that have power but nothing else.

When I turn on the computer it has a solid green light, and remains solid. The monitor (which works perfectly fine) stays in standby mode (amber light). This is the case with both computers. On the back dell has four LED lights A,B,C,D that are like diagnostic tools. When using that guide it says that Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.

I just replaced both the power supplies, with ones that again I know are working. There is one last thing, when I turn on power and get all of that above, I opened the cases and saw that an amber light on the motherboard was lit. I have no idea what the problem can be. Is there any way someone can help me??????

[SufferWell1396]

When using that guide it says that Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred.


I just replaced both the power supplies, with ones that again I know are working.

isnt that your problem solved in a nutshell? there was probably nothing wrong with your old PSU's.
try replacing the RAM. see if that helps.

[never7]

I'm not quite sure I follow......What happened was these two computers were plugged into a regular outlet, no surge protector, and a storm blew out power. After that the PSU's weren't working for sure, and so I replaced them. Now that I replaced the PSU's, everytime I turn it on it gives me a signal of beeps, and when connected to a monitor, the monitor just stays in sleep mode.

Like I said in my first post, Im not really sure about internal components for computers. So I have no idea where my RAM is located on these computers, and how to check its connection.

[never7]

After Listening to the beeps again when turning on the computer (this time with the cover open) I noticed I got them wrong....The beeps according to Dell's manual means that No Memory is Installed. So I guess you might be right on the RAM, it could be loose or bad connection. Its just that I still dont know what Im looking for or where to look.

[saphalline]

What happened was these two computers were plugged into a regular outlet, no surge protector, and a storm blew out power.Ahhh, that would explain it. There's a large possibility at this point that both systems got fried by the storm. :( The only way to test them now is to chop up some cardboard and do a barebones boot...

[never7]

LOL! I think you guys are overestimating my computer abilities here. This is like the first internal computer problem I have ever decided to tackle. I have no clue what a barebones boot is...

To my understanding I figured that just the PSU's would fry from the storm and everything else would be fine, well after buying new PSU's and installing them, I found that this was a project way above my level. Thats why I came to this site. I am realllllllllly hoping that someone could kind of walk me through this whole thing.

[Whyzman]

Barebones: http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=39685

[DellCA]

My name is John, and I am a support analyst at Dell headquarters.

If these units have been overvoltaged, more may be wrong than just the memory. I would strongly suspect the motherboards have probably been fizzled, and are no longer able to detect RAM. :(

All in all, I would be very suprised if new memory fixed this. The good news is that boards for GX150's can be purchased relatively cheaply if that's what it ends up being:

http://www.discountelectronics.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=278

John
Dell Customer Advocate