Dell blinking amber power button

[MattR658]

I have a Dell OptiPlex GX520 running Windows XP. The other day someone knocked the tower over, and when I went to turn the computer back on, the power light was blinking amber, as were the two lights on the Ethernet port on the rear of the computer. I looked up what the amber light meant in the Dell manual, and it states:

If the power light is blinking amber — The computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem might exist.
- Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable).
- Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board.

I first checked the voltage switch on the PSU, and it was correctly set to 115. I then checked all the connections to the mobo and they were tight. I also checked all the capacitors on the mobo for any leaks or bulges, still nothing. Next I took out the CMOS battery (for about 1-2 minutes) and put it back it, no luck there either. And I reseated the memory with no luck.

So I bought a new power supply and switched it out, still I had no luck, the light was still blinking amber. I am however able to get the PC to boot up if I jump out the Green (PWR_PS_ON) Pin with a Ground Pin on the ATX 24-pin connector. When I do this, the computer stays on and runs no problem, but once I shut it down, I can not turn it back on using the normal power button, it blinks amber again. In order to boot it up, I have to jump out the ports. If anyone has any idea, I'd appreciate the feedback. Thanks

- Matt R.

 

[lonewolf7]

I think the problem lies in front panel connectors, the electronics gone for good, or the power button switch on the cabinet. Try switching the power button with the reset button on MB. Then all you have to do it to press the reset button to boot up the PC. See how it works.

 

[MattR658]

I think the problem lies in front panel connectors, the electronics gone for good, or the power button switch on the cabinet. Try switching the power button with the reset button on MB. Then all you have to do it to press the reset button to boot up the PC. See how it works.

I can't switch the power button with the reset button because on this motherboard the entire front panel (Power Button, USB ports, MIC in, and headphones) are all connected to the MB through a single ribbon cable so I can't separate the individual components.

 

[lonewolf7]

Then you have to replace the whole front panel electronics. Google it you may find it.

 

[MattR658]

Then you have to replace the whole front panel electronics. Google it you may find it.

I found the front panel online, and it's not too expensive. I'll probably order one and give it a try. I'll let you know if it works out

 

[Kisianik]

Before you do that, one more thing - you removed battery for only 2 minutes, Dell generally recommends at least 5 minutes, and the good rule is at least 15 minutes.
Even better, turn off your PC, pull the plug off, press and hold power button for at least 20 seconds, next remove battery, leave it off for couple of hours, get a life, then reinstall it. If this doesn't work - proceed with what ever.

 

[MattR658]

Before you do that, one more thing - you removed battery for only 2 minutes, Dell generally recommends at least 5 minutes, and the good rule is at least 15 minutes.
Even better, turn off your PC, pull the plug off, press and hold power button for at least 20 seconds, next remove battery, leave it off for couple of hours, get a life, then reinstall it. If this doesn't work - proceed with what ever.

Alright, sounds good to me. I'll give that a try before I buy the part. Thanks

 

[MattR658]

So I took the battery out for a few hours and put it back. Still having the same problem. Looks like I'm going to have to replace the front panel.

 

[Kisianik]

So I took the battery out for a few hours and put it back. Still having the same problem. Looks like I'm going to have to replace the front panel.

I have a bad feeling about this, let me think more.

Meantime what is your form factor, look at the pictures below and identify yours:

This is link to manual ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-gx520_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf

I don't think manual provides part numbers.

 

[MattR658]

It's the Small Mini Tower

 

[Kisianik]

Lets try something cheap first - purchase new battery first and exchange (with couple hours battery off). At worst you loose $5 or so.

 

[MattR658]

Lets try something cheap first - purchase new battery first and exchange (with couple hours battery off). At worst you loose $5 or so.

Thanks for the cheaper alternative, but it still didn't do the trick. It seems to me that it is the front panel. Not sure what specifically in the front panel is causing the issue, but once I turned the computer on by jumping out the wires manually, I disconnected the front panel all together, and the computer has been running fine ever since. Of course, I can't turn it off without having to turn it on by jumping out the wires, so I'm going to purchase a new front panel. Maybe I'm wrong, but all the problems seem to go away when the front panel is disconnected. Thanks for all the help!

 

[lonewolf7]

The front panel electronics gone bad when it knocked over. When you push the front panel power on switch it simply sparks and in a way it shorts between the two wires and thus you have the PC to start up. Somehow it got messed up. So buying a front panel would solve the problem at least I believe it.

 

[skabita1]

I think the problem lies in front panel connectors, the electronics gone for good, or the power button switch on the cabinet. Try switching the power button with the reset button on MB. Then all you have to do it to press the reset button to boot up the PC. See how it works.

I can't switch the power button with the reset button because on this motherboard the entire front panel (Power Button, USB ports, MIC in, and headphones) are all connected to the MB through a single ribbon cable so I can't separate the individual components.

 

[skabita1]

dell optiplex780 won't boot. lights 1&3 green and power button amber. used the green wire and cut it around the middle. put another wire between them and solderd them together. held the third wire onto the chassis of the pc. the fan runs normally BUT still the monitor won't come on. any help from here?

 

[Kisianik]

dell optiplex780 won't boot. lights 1&3 green and power button amber. used the green wire and cut it around the middle. put another wire between them and solderd them together. held the third wire onto the chassis of the pc. the fan runs normally BUT still the monitor won't come on. any help from here?

Amber light - motherboard failure, plus you change configuration, so I am not sure what can happened next. Working fan means there is power distributed through motherboard, but this is not all.

Sorry, I can help you.

 

[Soroe]

Its not because of motherboard failure or the front panel. I have the same problem and tried to figure out what was wrong, so I've took a battery out from an old PC my mum was going to throw away and have it connected to my PC and it worked just fine. Been using it for months now.

 

[Daniel6511]

I have the exact same problem as OP. MattR658 or Anyone with knowledge, can you please give me instructions on how to Jump out the green (PWR_PS_ON) Pin with a Ground Pin on the ATX 24-pin connector ?

I also have that ribbon cable. I want to make sure it is the front connectors as well, by temporarrliy starting the computer.

Thanks

 

[sumitd]

once i just opened my pc like any other day and it started but no display and no bios loading the next time, i tried swapping ram,hdd swapping,one by one component removal and tried starting each time but to no avail,it only started when i re-installed the processor.

 

[gatepro1]

Lets try something cheap first - purchase new battery first and exchange (with couple hours battery off). At worst you loose $5 or so.

Thanks for the cheaper alternative, but it still didn't do the trick. It seems to me that it is the front panel. Not sure what specifically in the front panel is causing the issue, but once I turned the computer on by jumping out the wires manually, I disconnected the front panel all together, and the computer has been running fine ever since. Of course, I can't turn it off without having to turn it on by jumping out the wires, so I'm going to purchase a new front panel. Maybe I'm wrong, but all the problems seem to go away when the front panel is disconnected. Thanks for all the help!

I think the problem lies in front panel connectors, the electronics gone for good, or the power button switch on the cabinet. Try switching the power button with the reset button on MB. Then all you have to do it to press the reset button to boot up the PC. See how it works.

I can't switch the power button with the reset button because on this motherboard the entire front panel (Power Button, USB ports, MIC in, and headphones) are all connected to the MB through a single ribbon cable so I can't separate the individual components.

Just figure which wires go to power switch and jump the pins on mobo with small screwdriver or anything metal. Just don't touch any other pins . This will tell you if power button is defective .

 

[Bad-Boy]

Simple Solution
1st of all remove battery cell for at least 5 min, (Dell recommends usually 15 min) press power button for 20 sec. remove power cord from Mother-Board.
1- Locate power switch wire in PSU 24pin Connector, which is mostly green one.
2- cut it.
3- took an other wire put it with the green wire in between and solder them.
4- now connect power cord
5-when amber light blink just connect that wire to the Case and press power button.
6- Its done.

 

[Bad-Boy]

Fix the Dell OLOD (Orange Light Of Death)
If you have a Dell pc that won't turn on, Chances are that you have a power supply problem. Most of the time the power light will be flashing
Orange.

Step By Step:
(Disconnect all cables, Inc the power)
1. Open the case of your Dell Pc
2. On the power supply box (top right) find the GREEN wire
(The green wire will almost always be the power switch on all Pc's)
3. Cut it at around the middle
4. Strip Both Ends
5.Find a long enough piece of wire that will reach to the front of the pc
6. Solder the GREEN wires back together but putting your seperate peice of wire inbetween them
7. Tidy them up with zip ties and shrink tubing (Electrical Tape if not)
8. Plug the power cable into the pc
9. Hold the wire onto the chassis of the pc
10. If the fans start at full speed, press the power button and let the wire off
11. your pc should be running as normal.

 

[Tomiwa]

I had this same OLD on dell optiplex gx 360 or so. I pulled out the power cable from the main board and removed the cmos battery, it worked but after a week, the Orange Light of Death came up again. I tried my last trick but the pc refused to come up. Later I saw a small black button on the power supply unit psu, I now did the following.
1. Opened up the cpu
2. Connected all cables, power
cable inclusive
(keyboard, mouse, printer, vga)
Inserted the old battery
3. Powered on the ups and PUSH THE BLACK BUTTON ON THE PSU, this will supply power to the board and you will feel the air from the cpu fan, release the button, then try this the second time. after the second attempt now use the main power button, viola the pc will power on.
A friend of mine had this same problem with his dell pc, I guided him thru this steps and it also worked for him. Thanks
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