No sign of output from computer

Sorry late reply mate ok so the volts are ok that one good sign. Now what Isaid abut the current that needs a device called an ammeter they used to havethem in the old days in cars and bikes but I don't know where you would findone now except at the service shop. But they are so expensive these days wedon't want to go there eh?

Now it is a pity you are not just around the corner or you could just hookup a spare PSU (I have shelves full) and see how it went - it doesn't have tobe fixed in the machine you just feed the cables in.

Now if the new one is coming well will just have to wait and see if that onedoesn't work then we shall have to re assess the whole thing again.

Plus I think maybe the card option will be the way to go if the PSU comes up to scratch.

randomperson1 said:

Now I'm probably getting this confused, but is it possible my multimeter has an ammeter in it? I'm not sure exactly all that my multimeter can do, but it has a label next to the dial marked mA which, I believe, is 1000th of an ampere which is what ammeters measure right? So if that comes in any use, let me know what I should do. Otherwise I guess we wait until that PSU comes. Thank you so much.

No mate it is an ammeter and you spot on it does measure milliamps but we are talking some serious amps here and it would of course not work with those.

Now to find the amps in a circuit you can use two formulas for the physics law known as Ohms law

1: Power (watts) divided by the Volts = amps so if a device is using say 25 watts @ 12 volts the current (amps) needed (or be flowing) would be = 2.08 Amps

2: Volts divided by the resistance (OHMS) in that circuit = current (amps) so if the circuit had a voltage of 12v resistance of say 500 ohms the current flowing in that circuit would be = 0.024 amps (240 milliamps) ( I might have my figures wrong there but I rushing to go out right now but you can check through a Google :)
see How voltage, current, and resistance relate : Ohm's Law

Now the formula you need is number 1 and you need to find the wattage of the devices say for example the GPU to work out how many amps that GPU will need. To fin that with an ammeter you would need to lace is series with the power supply and the device so the current flows through the meter but as you see the meter you have will only measure very small currents whereas the workshops would have much heavier or technically superior meters to do that with such as a meter that has a clamp type attachment to go around the cable to check the current but they are out of our price range.

randomperson1 said:

So I was about to take the PSU out in preparation for when the new one comes in when I noticed a random screw laying next to the MB. I know it isn't from the panel as I have kept those screws separated. I have found the place where I think it goes in the MB. I will replace it and turn it on and see what happens. If that was the problem all along I am going to be really mad at myself. (Though I really hope it is this easy of a fix.)

Edit: I replaced the screw (I have no clue how it came out) and now upon turning on, the power button turns white right away, but still no display. I currently have the memory, pci card, HD, and optical drive all unplugged/out. Shouldn't something show up on the display at least now? Would it still be the PSU? Should I cancel the order?

I know you mentioned resetting the CMOS. There is something in the service manual about a CMOS jumper. Should I try anything with that?

Edit #2: I looked up the CMOS jumper and I guess it's another way of doing what we did before with the battery except this time there are two options: 'reset cmos' and 'normal (default)'. I did both.

Now it stays amber again. So confusing...

Hi randomperson1,

I believe it would be better you check the system with a replacement PSU on the system. I am unsure about the voltage checking on the system and maybe some to the elite members of the hardware team would be able assist you on this.

If you happen to receive the power supply for the system then please check it and let us know the outcome of the same.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

randomperson1 said:

I received the replacement PSU yesterday and will try it out when I find time.

Hi randomperson1,

Please check the same at your convenience and let us know the results. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.

I take it you mean the BIOS (CMOS) battery so did you resetthe date and time afterwards?

I cannot access the drivers for this machine because I donot know the number/s it requires in this link try and see if you can find thegraphics driver.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/au/en/audhs1/DriversHome/ShowProductSelector