Dell Dimension – Flashing orange power light
If you have a Dell Dimension and experience the dreaded orange flashing light, there are normally ways to verify what is causing it to occur. I spoke to a Dell technician and he informed me on the Dell Dimension 5100 there are status lights right next to the front USB ports. The numbers are fairly faint so you have to look really good.
However, when I gave the tech the numbers on this computer I was working on, he seemed to be reading from a script and when I asked him what does code 2 and 4 mean he said the SATA cable is not connected – he was wrong.
Let me give you a little background into this computer. I’m working on it for a client. The main symptoms is that as soon as the unit receives power, the indicator light on the power button immediately starts to flash orange. I was unable to turn the computer on. I replaced the power supply and the orange light flashed constantly, again. I then disconnected everything except for the power supply, and CPU. I was hoping to at least get the unit to turn in then I could go from there by plugging each component back in one by one. I eventually came to the conclusion that the motherboard was bad.
I spoke to the client and she still had warranty with Dell. She called Dell and then the Dell tech called me. We spoke like I mentioned earlier, and eventually I was able to convince him that it was a motherboard problem.
Dell shipped the motherboard out next day air and I received it just before lunch.
As I was tearing down the Dimension what do I find?
You see that nasty corrosion? I don’t know what the hell that is but it isn’t dust. I tried blowing it off with a compressed can of air but was unsuccessful.
For reasons beyond me that was the only area of the motherboard that had that build up. Everywhere else was spotless.
So in conclusion, if you experience the dreaded blinking orange power light, make sure to check your motherboard for blown capacitors as well as something like the above pictures show.
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Ultimate solution to the problem–consigned my Dell to the dustbin and bought an HP–am blissfully happy!
OK so I had the same issue, replaced power supply, replaced mother board, disconnected USB ports on front, replaced battery….it still will not boot up and is flashing amber exactly the same as it was before.
disconnect all usb ports and disconnect power cord for 30 sec. then turn pc on and plug in all usb cords
Could be its from the capacitor next to it, it may have popped and squirted acid over the component, try replacing the capacitior and alcohol swab the effected areas
Got rid of one of my Dell 4700 due to this problem. With the other, I tried this and worked (so far): 1-unplug PC; 2-push the off/on switch like it is powered; 3-plug back the PC; 4-push the off/on switch again. Mine is working every time. Hope yours do too.
It’s the front power panel. Check your front USB ports first to make sure that none of the metal leads inside the ports are touching the housing. If they are you’ll have to replace the I/O panel. You’ll find the panels on ebay used for like $20-$25.
As to the capacitor leaking normally the electrolyte acid will foam up and harden upon contact with oxygen so I’d be shocked if that’s what you’re seeing. If the cap didn’t leak and popped you’d either find bits of the shell all over inside your PC or a very swollen capacitor. Since it appears the capacitor is still intact that shouldn’t be the case either. Most likely the diode came into contact with either liquid or condensation to cause a mess like that.
Have a Dell E510 with a flashing orange power light. Found this thread on Google. Bingo! Looked inside the front USB ports and found that someone smushed the leads so badly that they were touching the housing (the plastic tabs were broken off too). Simply bent them back with a screwdriver and the computer is working again. Thank you!
Had flash light problem and no power with Dell Dimension 5150. Saw this, checked USB at front. One was bent and plastic off. Removed panel and worked. Unbent USB pins, put cable back in. Works!
Found out that my Dell motherboard had accumluated too much dust so was not booting. Taking everything off the board and cleaning made it work!
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