Dell sx270 is it Dead?

amccoy00 · 07-14-2007, 05:33 PM

I planned on using this PC in my car it has been running for 3 months. i remodelled my room and it was left off for a month now it will not even post to BIOS. Nothing just a yellow light when last on it worked just fine any help is appreciated.

binary.h4x · 07-15-2007, 09:14 PM

Do any of the fans spin? If I remember correctly, on the GX260's, yellow light means bad PSU. If it has been plugged in all this time, try unplugging it for a minute, then try it.

luckybaker4 · 07-15-2007, 11:25 PM

Open it up and see if any of the capacitors are swollen on the motherboard. This is very common with the 270. I have replaced probably 20 motherboards in 270's.

luckybaker4 · 07-15-2007, 11:26 PM

Forgot to mention, if it is, call Dell. Even if it is out of warranty, they should replace it.

Jahntassa · 07-16-2007, 10:12 AM

It's either what luckybaker4 is suggesting, or the power supply being stupid. If you see any caps bulging or leaking, Dell should replace it at no cost. Otherwise try unplugging the power supply completely and replugging it. Sometimes that works..

amccoy00 · 07-19-2007, 09:27 PM

The fans does come on and there is a yellow LED on the board as well as yellow light on power switch. the capacitors above the CPU have something brownish on top. I bought this on ebay does Dell have a policy to replace even if PC is out of warranty?
Thxs, Tony

ctsoccer13 · 07-19-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by luckybaker4

Even if it is out of warranty, they should replace it.

If the caps are bulging or leaking, its a poor product and they should replace it regardless of warranty. From what I've experienced with Dell, they have a pretty good customer support system, so you shouldn't have any trouble.

I just wouldn't mention that you bought it on Ebay, throw in a few "I've been a long time customer of Dell..."s, blah blah blah, and they'll probably do it.

Regardless, it doesn't hurt to try

cam69 · 11-18-2007, 06:55 PM

Dell™ will provide out of warranty coverage in North, Central and South America for OptiPlex™SX270(UFF), GX270, GX280 systems with failed motherboards due to expanding or leaking capacitors for 5 years from date of purchase, or until 31-January-2008, whichever comes first.

greatwhite · 11-18-2007, 07:06 PM

The yellow led on the board only indicates the board has power.

It's the same as my gx270.........

If you're not even getting the bios to load up that's not a good thing........unless the power supply is toast.

kajenius · 11-18-2007, 08:15 PM

I have the same problem with my gator mini itx. When i click the power button they fan on the psu goes on but the board doesnt get any power (i think). The cpu fan on the board doesnt spin and get no post..

amccoy00 · 01-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Even though I have a Dell PC with a known problem, Dell will not fix my PC. They don't even have a motherboard to sell me to fix it myself. They say since I bought it from a reseller Dell will not warranty despite the Out of Warranty program. And a new motherboard is not going to happen. What capacitors were used to replace the leaking capacitors....I'll replace them myself and never ever buy another Dell PC?

StraitUpFya · 02-23-2008, 01:44 PM

I have a GX270 and all of a sudden,

No BIOS, and Orange light on the on button, orange light on moterboard, both the cpu and power supply fans are on. and as i check for bulging CAPS, i found that hiding behind the cpu their are about 8 caps 4 of which appear different. The top of them are a little bulged out u might say and the top of them is also a little brown rust color.
Im guess Bad board right? How do i know if the cpu is fine?

greatwhite · 02-23-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by StraitUpFya

I have a GX270 and all of a sudden,

No BIOS, and Orange light on the on button, orange light on moterboard, both the cpu and power supply fans are on. and as i check for bulging CAPS, i found that hiding behind the cpu their are about 8 caps 4 of which appear different. The top of them are a little bulged out u might say and the top of them is also a little brown rust color.
Im guess Bad board right? How do i know if the cpu is fine?

You're screwed if it's the caps.

Dell had a board replacement program, but I think it expired at the beginning of this year.
The 270's had an issue with bad capacitors. Check out a forum called "badcaps" for more info................Google should turn up the site adress for you.

mt2man · 02-24-2008, 04:35 PM

I have the same motherboard on one of my pc's and every so often my pc does what you have described, the only way i managed to get it running again was to unplug the cd and hard drives and plug them back in again and it started

has only done it once since but i done the same again and it powered up and ran no problem lol. God knows why.
Jack

StraitUpFya · 02-24-2008, 10:26 PM

greatwhite-- thanks alot, after looking on their site i found that hundreds of small form factor GX270's have the bad cap problem. now im going to search my @$$ off and fix this so i can put it in my car instead of the GX150 i have, YES THERE IS HOPE!