By Martin Jansen, Owner of Jansen-PCINFO
My main computer is a Dell Optiplex 7010 i5-3550 Mini-Tower with 12GB RAM and a 240GB SSD. It’s an old computer that runs Linux Mint Cinnamon 21.1 beautifully. I can count on one hand the number of times this computer has locked up – this despite numerous updates and upgrades of the OS.
So imagine my consternation when I was multitasking on the computer when it suddenly died. I couldn’t turn the computer back on. Remember that this computer is also my Plex server and does have an LG M-DISC for ripping DVD movies. In fact, I was ready to rip another movie when it died.
This computer also contains additional storage in the form of a 640GB WD Black 3.5” Hard Drive (for movies, music and TV) and a recently added 512GB SP NVMe on a PCIe adapter card. The 7010 also has plenty of USB 3.0 ports for additional storage in the form of USB backup drives and a 7 port expansion hub for desktop connections.
Needless to say the computer is fully loaded taking just about every possible connection available. Maybe too many connections?
So, faithful reader, what do you think happened to my lovely computer?
Geez! If you don’t know I certainly don’t!!!
For Jansen PC Info did you write a bookkeeping program? I will be in need of something soon. The simpler the better. I stink at documenting and will need to keep impeccable books. ?
Hi Marianne,
Thanks for reading the article. If you need to keep financial records I recommend Moneydance. If other information, I suggest a spreadsheet containing the data you need for reporting purposes. I can help you create the form if you supply the categories you need to record. Like dates, times and actions, etc.
I would guess power supply based on the basic symptoms. This assumes you confirmed power at the outlet is providing power. Also assumes you have no response at all from the power button.
If you open the case, observe the fan while pressing the power button, does the CPU fan or power supply fan spin up at all? If not, the power supply is bad and will need replaced. If both of those do power up, but you’re getting no boot screen or POST beep then you have a problem with either monitor or graphics card. If you get no fan movement on CPU but fan in power supply spins then suspect bad motherboard.
Can you define died? Is it not powering on or is just not booting? Did you make any change on the system before this incident? Dell has troubleshoot guides for their systems, this usually leads to remove components until you obtain a positive result and isolate the error cause.gl!