troubleshooting my dell studio xps 8100 desktop with windows 7 operating system...amber solid lights on both monitor and driv?

[dreamergal]

so I have depressed every key on my keyboard (F8) and others. I am thinking the computer might be stuck in "SLEEP/WAIT" mode. I keep reading how I am supposed to double check all cables, try the F8 at the time when I am bringing up the PC power simutaneously. Monitor turns on with green power light and immidiately goes to a screen flash of "DSUB AND POWER SAVER" going to a SOLID AMBER color. My desktop hard drive when power is depressed goes into "SOLID AMBER" color also. The fans come on, but it does not go any further. What can I do?

So very frustrated,
Cheryl

 

[hang-the-9]

If you have no display, could be a power supply issue or a motherboard issue, maybe the video card if you have an add-one card. Check the motherboard for any capacitors that are puffy or have black stuff on top of them. That would mean bad motherboard. If you have onboard video and are using an card, remove the card and try the onboard video off the motherboard.

You can try to reset the BIOS by unplugging the computer from the wall and pulling out the CMOS battery on the motherboard for about 15 seconds, then try again. May as well reseat the RAM while you have the case open, and make sure fans and vents are all clean.

Did you actually check the cables to the monitor or just read about it?

 

[dreamergal]

If you have no display, could be a power supply issue or a motherboard issue, maybe the video card if you have an add-one card. Check the motherboard for any capacitors that are puffy or have black stuff on top of them. That would mean bad motherboard. If you have onboard video and are using an card, remove the card and try the onboard video off the motherboard.

You can try to reset the BIOS by unplugging the computer from the wall and pulling out the CMOS battery on the motherboard for about 15 seconds, then try again. May as well reseat the RAM while you have the case open, and make sure fans and vents are all clean.

Did you actually check the cables to the monitor or just read about it?

 

[dreamergal]

yes I have checked and double checked the monitor cables. I was just told by a local computer business to unplug from the wall for at least 1 minute. I plugged the power cord back into the wall then held down the power button solidly for 1 minute 10 seconds. Still no change. thanks so very much for your responding to my request for assistance. I am going to attempt trying to remove the back of my desktop model and figure out what a Motherboard is, and check out the looks of the board. Thanks again for our trying to help