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#21
Is it possible to boot from the CD drive? That's an internal connection, right?
Is it possible to boot from the CD drive? That's an internal connection, right?
It looks like the Red or Orange cable is the Data cable for the CD/DVD drive & the Blue cable is the data cable for the Hard Drive. Even if these two were disconnected, the computer should boot to a screen that says NO BOOT device. Or a chance to go into the bios setup. IF the on-board VGA video is working! Even though you get nothing on the TV screen, does the computer power stay ON or does it shut down & OFF in a short period of time? I see where your VGA is connected (circled in blue), that is built in video on the MB.
(Circled in RED) is a PCI-E video slot that would take a half height video card because of the slimline case.
I am guessing possibly BAD MB VGA video, but I still could be wrong. It's Trial & Error !!
Docbrown
I left it on for several hours before to see if anything would happen and it didn't shut off.
Is there any way to tell if it is vga connection without getting a video card? Is this the most likely reason for the problem or is there anything else? Thank you.
One other thing that you said, something about HDMI connection for audio. HDMI can carry Audio & Video. So exactly how is the HDMI connected & what to ? Does the TV have a HDMI connection ?
Plus I found a Video card at NewEgg.com that has a half-height adapter bracket for $ 31.99 with a $10 rebate.
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card ( 100292DDR3L) - Newegg.com
You are welcome. You say that sometimes the pwr light stays solid amber?
The solid amber pwr light indicates:
- sleep/hibernate or
- Mobo or
- PwrSply
Here are the codes for the power light.Dell User Guide said:
DocBrown,
Thank you for mentioning this, I had thought about it before but then it slipped my mind. I will connect it to the TV via HDMI and see if that makes a difference. Preferably I would wait off on buying a video card until I can isolate that as the problem, but thank you for informing me about the video card you found.
Slartybart,
Is this serious and would it prevent anything from displaying?
Tried with HDMI. When the computer was off the TV said 'check signal cable' and when I turned it on it said 'no signal' so... something is happening when it turns on I guess.
So is the Power Button White or Amber. In laptops sleep/standby blanks the screen?
We never asked you if this computer was still in warranty with Dell ?
Well I did mention before the 650 will fit and it is a very nice card and if the OP lived closer he could have my 610 for free.