My Standalone Computer Dies and Comes Back to Life

what on 23/05/2015 - 19:04
Last edited 23/05/2015 - 19:32

My standalone computer has a mind of its own. It stops working, I think it is on its way out (actually, it is out more than in). So, sometimes, when I turn it on, it works and lots of times when I turn it on, it gives me a message. Here is a picture of what is on the screen. It started to do this in the very hot weather in January. I have taken the back out of it and given the inside a clean but this has done no good. I am thinking that the fan may be out. Does anyone know what this message means.

EDIT: Silly me, how do you add a photo to a post?

Thank you all.

Here is the photo.

http://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/99851/30696/standalone.…

Computing

Comments

  • Riczter on 23/05/2015 - 19:27
    +1

    upload the photo to My Account > Files > Upload new file then copy a link to the file into your post.

  • Randxyz123 on 23/05/2015 - 19:28

    Use imgur or similar and share the link to post a photo :)

  • scrimshaw on 23/05/2015 - 19:44
    +2

    Is this a Dell computer?

    You'll need to double check your SATA cables — open up the chassis and make sure the SATA cables are in nice and tight,

    • what on 23/05/2015 - 19:45

      Yes. It is a Dell. You are very clever to guess that.

      • scrimshaw on 23/05/2015 - 19:51

        What model specifically? We could use that information to troubleshoot.

        I also suggest you backup your data if you want to safeguard against possible data loss.

        Anyway your computer symptoms aren't super clear to me so I can't say what exactly is wrong with your hardware — you will need to perform diagnostics to find the root cause of your problem.

        Since you're using a Dell, there are tools already built into your PC to perform the it (accessible via BIOS, called the Dell Pre-Boot System Assessment ) or you can read the Dell KB on where to find additional diag tools.

        Let's just hope it's only a bad SATA connection, but otherwise you will need to test to find out if your HDD, Mobo or PSU is dying.

        • what on 23/05/2015 - 20:02

          It is a very old one so I am aware that I am very lucky that it lasted this long.

          The model is - Inspirion 531S.

          Too late to back up any data. It is currently hibernating and is giving the dreaded screen message. Although, I did do a back up back in January. Don't think many more documents were added to that computer since then.

        • scrimshaw on 23/05/2015 - 20:04
          +1

          Well your data lives in the hard drive, and even if the PC doesn't boot properly, you can just take the HDD out.

          You can stick this drive into another computer and copy the data right off it. You can also buy a hard drive enclosure (or dock) from any large computer store and turn this drive into a portable one.

          This computer is not worth fixing IMO — buy new SATA cables to replace the old ones if you want, but if you want a computer up and running again I suggest you look into buying a new PC.

        • what on 23/05/2015 - 20:08

          @scrimshaw:

          Yes. You are probably right. I might try to fix it for the short term and look into getting another one.

        • sleepy120 on 23/05/2015 - 21:47

          @what: without buying new cables, try plugging only the boot hard drive in and unplug the other drives. If that fails switch sata cables from the other drive to the boot drive. If you have more than one drive and don't know which is the boot drive then repeat with the other drives.
          If you think it is the fan, start the pc with the case open to look at if it is spinning freely.
          Have you changed your bios Sata settings recently (from IDE compatible or Enhanced Acpi )?

        • what on 23/05/2015 - 21:57

          @sleepy120:

          Hello and thank you for your response.

          I opened up the back and found two flat cables which I assume are the sata cables. One red and one blue. I could see and check both ends of the red one but could only check one end of the blue one because the other end was under a metal bridge which I could not remove.

          Unfortunately, I am not as smart as the helpful ozbargainers that have been kind enough to respond to my post. I just do not know where to plug these cables to check if the drives work or not. However, I can check if the fan is working or not.

          I have not made any changes to my bios sata settings recently. (I don't know what it means).

  • stephendt on 23/05/2015 - 19:59
    +2

    Your hard drive is not functioning correctly. It is either not communicating with the motherboard, or not getting enough power. Backup ASAP. Check the connections. If they're all good and it continues to malfunction, replace the drive, and restore your backup onto the replacement drive (all your data lives on the drive FYI). You might want to get a professional to do this for you. It's not a hard job.

    Source: Computer Technican by trade

    • what on 23/05/2015 - 20:15

      Thank you.

      It is quite an old one. Will open up the back tonight and have a look if I can secure the cables.

      If it works, great, but as scrimshaw has mentioned, I may need to look at getting a new one.

    • what on 23/05/2015 - 22:20

      Edit my previous comment. Actually, if it is a simple task. It may be worth having someone look at it for me. I will look into that before purchasing a new one.

  • grog on 23/05/2015 - 22:31

    If the computer is 3 years or older, when was the last time you replaced the CR2032 cmos backup battery?

    It looks about the size of a 10 cent coin, usually easy to replace and cost about $4 or so in the battery racks in chemists,officeworks, woolies etc.

    If that battery goes flat strange things can happen at boot time.

    • what on 23/05/2015 - 23:07

      Thank you. The computer is well over 3 years old. I will have a look at this.

    • stephendt on 24/05/2015 - 19:43

      I doubt this has anything to do with it. The CMOS isn't being reset. That's the only function of the internal 3v battery. If you have the computer plugged in, it's usually bypassed.

  • Brendoo on 24/05/2015 - 14:33

    I would also suggest trying to boot from a USB stick, if this PC supports that. You'd need a bootable USB stick.

    This would show if the PC is still capable of booting. You could then try and read your hard drives.

    It sounds like your boot hard drive has died or become corrupted, or could be related to what others have already suggested.

    How many hard drives are in the computer?

    • stephendt on 24/05/2015 - 19:45

      Why? Booting from a USB won't prove anything or fix the problem. I've never seen a motherboard that will POST but then not want to boot from any medium. And I've seen a lot of motherboards screw up.

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