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General discussion

Dell computer dead?

by proudj Jul 4, 2007 6:25PM PDT

Hi. Yesterday I came home to the computer 'off' but the fan running loudly. It's a new Dell. The power button is not lit up and it won't respond when pressed. When I unplug the power it stops blowing air (obviously) and if i plug it back in it just starts again independent of the power button. The monitor is black, I don't think anything is 'on' except the fan. CD drive works but apart from that it is dead.

Yesterday there was a lightning hit in my town so I'm wondering if there was a power surge. Also, my cable modem, although lit up, does not seem to be sending anything, when i plugged it into two laptops and another desktop (all working ok) they don't register the USB connection so i can't get online at home.

Any ideas? The computer was off yesterday but plugged into the mains. The modem was on.

Also, depending on the problem, do you think i can recover anything off the hard drive?

Thanks

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Try warranty, but...

by Willy Jul 4, 2007 10:53PM PDT

You pretty much answered you're own question, "lighting hits" will do damage in all possible phases. Even a minor hit will cause all manner of troubles, so repair usually means replacement of some componets. You can replace the power supply and go from there, but make sure you have a minimal system so not to stress it out too quickly, then add more. Don't be surprised if a mtrbd. has to be replaced if found bad. If you have warranty, use it BUT don't mention the lighting part let them figure it out or not and replace it all(if lucky). The cable modem should be covered by your ISP or provider as well, call them. To recover the HD, try in another desktop system(as 2nd drive) or use ext. HD case to mount as USB/firewire HD.

Now, you know the value of surge protection, even a simple surge strip would help. Get that and more and also look into an UPS setup.

tada -----Willy