It's dead Jim, PC help required, others may also opine.

[tw]

Originally Posted by BrianR

I am following since I have a computer with the same problem, other than it's NOT a Dell.

Once the numbers are obtained, then the problem can be defined. Procedure was posted in Power supply problem? .

[Beest]

Originally Posted by tw

Once the numbers are obtained, then the problem can be defined. Procedure was posted in Power supply problem? .

Originally Posted by tw

Measure a purple wire from PSU where it connects to the motherboard. It should read about 5 VDC. Report that number to three digits.

Measure the green and gray wires both before and when the power switch is pressed. Report those 3 digit numbers.

got my $5 Harbor freight meter.

I see the purple green and grey wires, but where do I put the other lead to the meter, ground ?

On the inside there is only one solid orange LED, at one corner of the motherboard, if there are other LEDs they are not lit.

Since this is the secondary/kids/backup computer I have time for diagnostics.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by monster

If I'd been in, I'd've baulked at him pulling it apart. But I wasn't.

Originally Posted by Beest

I have time for diagnostics.

Careful. (The boss is right behind you...)

[Beest]

Black is ground, duh, lot's of blacks all the same ground of well.

5.02V on purple

3.45V on green

0V on grey

[tw]

Originally Posted by Beest

5.02V on purple
3.45V on green
0V on grey

So far, good. The black probe could also be connected to the chassis.

Now follow those directions. Measure the green and gray wires both before and when the power switch is pressed. Note the behavior on each wire as the power switch is pressed.

Obviously the system will not load and execute tasks. Whereas that third step is valid for BrianR, it is different for you. What does any one yellow, orange, and red wire do when the power switch is pressed? For example, do each start to rise and then fall? Does any one not move? Or do all not do anything?

Diagnostic LEDs are not inside. From one Dell service manual: "your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." These lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, ..."

To say more unique to your system requires the Service Tag number. Often a label somewhere on the side or back of a Dell Desktop. And often found on the underside of laptops.

[Beest]

Originally Posted by tw

So far, good. The black probe could also be connected to the chassis.

Now follow those directions. Measure the green and gray wires both before and when the power switch is pressed. Note the behavior on each wire as the power switch is pressed.

Obviously the system will not load and execute tasks. Whereas that third step is valid for BrianR, it is different for you. What does any one yellow, orange, and red wire do when the power switch is pressed? For example, do each start to rise and then fall? Does any one not move? Or do all not do anything?

Diagnostic LEDs are not inside. From one Dell service manual: "your computer is equipped with four lights on the back panel labeled "A," "B," "C," and "D." These lights can be yellow or green. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash. After the computer starts, the lights remain green. If the computer malfunctions, ..."

To say more unique to your system requires the Service Tag number. Often a label somewhere on the side or back of a Dell Desktop. And often found on the underside of laptops.

Not sure how I'm going to test the voltages plugged in yet, I guess I'd have to contact on the solder ends on the other side of the board, whihc would mean a more major dissassembly job. I'll put some more thought into this.

I don't think there are external indicator LEDs on this model, maybe older or higher end models, think of the cents they save by not including them.

I see some models used the keyboard caps lock, num lock light as indicators, but not mentioned in the manual for this one.

At this base model it's barely worth changing anything but the power supply, certainly not to pay a professional to do it.

Dell Service code: JJ8FJG1

[tw]

Originally Posted by Beest

Not sure how I'm going to test the voltages plugged in yet, I guess I'd have to contact on the solder ends on the other side of the board, whihc would mean a more major dissassembly job. I'll put some more thought into this.

The previous post said:

Measure a purple wire from PSU where it connects to the motherboard. It should read about 5 VDC.

How did you measure the purple wire (5.02 volts)? Only one place to measure it. Push the meter probe into that nylon connector to touch a wire inside that connector. Do same for all other measurements.

Again, if not clear. Disconnect, remove, or disassemble nothing (other than the cover plate). Disconnecting or removing can make a problem more complex. If also not stated earlier, disconnecting sometimes can create more damage.

The entire task should take as little as 60 seconds. Touch the probe to each wire where it connects to the motherboard. Record those numbers and behavior. Post numbers. That's it. Most time should be spent posting those numbers.

Was this Inspiron 518 purchased in Best Buy? If those critically important Diagnostic lights are not on the front panel, then that MBA attitude says why. Best prices for a Dell means purchasing direct from Dell. Have seen too many products (even HP printers) missing essential functions to meet Best Buy's 'increase our profits at the expense of the customer' attitude.

From the Technology Guide for your machine:

Some desktop computers have lights labeled with numbers on the front panel. When the computer starts normally, the lights flash, and then turn off. If the computer malfunctions, the sequence of the lights can be used to help
identify the problem.

BTW, two updates have been available for Inspiron 518 after you purchased it in Mar 2009. One was a recommended update for the video display. The other was a critically important updatda for serial ATA. Enter that Service Tag into the Dell website (under Product Support) to learn more.