Question Dell Dimension 4500 Desktop: Tried turning it on first time in 10 years...NOTHING :(

[Fred Wax Bean Lasagna]

So, let me preface this post by saying that I know pretty much zippo about computers, hence I'm at this board.

I took my old Dell dimension 4500 desktop computer out of the attic (in a plastic bag somewhat protected). It hasn't been turned on in nearly 10 years. Before turning it on, I opened up the case and vacuumed / dusted out most of the dust (plenty of it). Not from storage, but from previous use.

I got to the moment of truth, plugged it in and hit the power button and nothing😕

I'm sure it could be a million things, but after sitting for near 10 years, what would be the most likely culprit for the computer not turning on.? Power supply? Or maybe the power button is dodgy?

I recently replaced the power button on a Dell XPS 8700, so I thought maybe the power button is no good.

I just thought it would be fun to see what was left on the Hard Drive (I had already moved all the important stuff) and to have access to a computer that has a 3 1/2 inch floppy drive, Windows XP etc.

thanks

 

[Lutfij]

You could try and inspect the entire motherboard for any blow/bulging capacitors. I would lean into the PSU as the issue, so sourcing a replacement PSU to fire up the build might be a good idea but considering the age of the prebuilt, I'd say it's kind of irrelevant for 2023/2024. Maybe as a nostalgic piece of tech, yes it's worth reviving but I don't see any need to do so.

 

[USAFRet]

I got to the moment of truth, plugged it in and hit the power button and nothing😕

I'm sure it could be a million things, but after sitting for near 10 years, what would be the most likely culprit for the computer not turning on.?

Something not connected properly.

But I agree with the above....what might you use this ancient thing for?

My systems of that vintage went to the Great Recycling Center in the Sky long long ago.

 

[stonecarver]

At the very least change the mother board battery. Dells in this area if the battery was dead so was the whole PC. Good luck

 

[Fred Wax Bean Lasagna]

Something not connected properly.

But I agree with the above....what might you use this ancient thing for?

My systems of that vintage went to the Great Recycling Center in the Sky long long ago.

well, the initial reason was for nostalgia (ok 10 years ago isn't really old enough to be nostalgic lol), to play some games on the machine (Star Trek Armada, and maybe use Microsoft Picture-it Photo 2002).

Yes, you can play Star Trek Armada on Windows now, and I suppose I could use Virtual Box to use older software titles that are not available on Windows 10 (like Microsoft picture it photo 2002).

But, after my initial fun, I thought I might wipe the hard-drive and give the computer to someone who enjoys playing vintage (somewhat vintage) games on timely hardware (with a factory-installed 3.5" floppy).

 

[Fred Wax Bean Lasagna]

At the very least change the mother board battery. Dells in this area if the battery was dead so was the whole PC. Good luck

Really?? hmm, never heard of that. No question the CMOS battery is toast, but I thought computer would still power up, and maybe have some trouble booting, time/date issues etc.

thanks, I can certainly try a cheap, quick battery replacement.

 

[stonecarver]

I learned this by people wanted me to build them a new computer as there Dell was dead.

I would do there new system and they would always ask me if I wanted the dead PC. Sure I would think maybe something in it worth salvaging.

One day for the heck of it I threw in a new battery and the darn thing booted.

 

[Fred Wax Bean Lasagna]

I learned this by people wanted me to build them a new computer as there Dell was dead.

I would do there new system and they would always ask me if I wanted the dead PC. Sure I would think maybe something in it worth salvaging.

One day for the heck of it I threw in a new battery and the darn thing booted.

I tried a new CR2032 battery. No good. It still won't turn on. I didn't think it would. The Dell manual for the Dimension 4500 even states the computer will turn on if the battery is dead..

HOWEVER, I had the case open when I plugged in the power cord, and there is a green light illuminated on the mother board.

Would that happen if the power supply was no good? Seems there's power getting to the board, just wont turn on.

Again, I don't know anything about computers. Is it possible a power supply can be supplying "some" power, but not enough to power boot the computer?

Maybe it's the power switch.

You can see green light, right next to the power supply connector.

 

[stonecarver]

You can also see in this thread how his was fixed maybe it can help you as well.

Question - Computer doesn't turn on.

Hey guys, me and my partner have gaming setups in one room, and wanting to move the setups around a bit, we moved mine and everything was okay, we both have the computers on the tables, but unfortunately, when we moved her table about 1-2 metres, not even touching the pc, when plugged in, it...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Fred Wax Bean Lasagna]

I tried a new CR2032 battery. No good. It still won't turn on. I didn't think it would. The Dell manual for the Dimension 4500 even states the computer will turn on if the battery is dead..

HOWEVER, I had the case open when I plugged in the power cord, and there is a green light illuminated on the mother board.

Would that happen if the power supply was no good? Seems there's power getting to the board, just wont turn on.

Again, I don't know anything about computers. Is it possible a power supply can be supplying "some" power, but not enough to power boot the computer?

Maybe it's the power switch.

You can see green light, right next to the power supply connector.

I guess I just found my answer. It could still be the power supply, even though LED light is on.

Motherboard light comes on but power button does nothing

I just installed a new zalman cooler on my mother baord and degreased and applied some mx-2, and now My computer won't even attempt to turn on, even though the green light on the motherboard is as bright as day. I tried using a different cpu, different ram, I'm alost positive its not the case...

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