[Reciever80]

Hey, Reciever80 here.

My computer a while ago got the solid amber light, and I believe i blew dust out of my case and took out/put back in the power cord and it was all good after that. Then maybe a month later, I got the flashing amber light (which was maybe 3 weeks ago).

I've used my old power supply, my current one (around 500 watts), and my second optiplex's PSU (yes i have 2--one in my study and one in my bedroom).

I've replaced the RAM, the Processor, i've disconnected all the cords, PCI cards etc. and reconnected them and it still gives me the same error.

And also, i have to unplug and plug in the power cord in order to retry the boot, and each time i do, the fan on my graphics card flutters for a single flick, and then stops. The CPU fan and PSU fan do not move.

So i figure it's the motherboard. I've looked up on the internet what busted capacitors look like, and nowhere on my motherboard is one. They all (from what i can see...) look fine, and everything seems to be running normal, however that's not the case...

Any help? I'd like to know whats wrong before i end up buying a new motherboard...

Is there anychance the motherboard warped or something? If so how can i tell?

Thanks for any help in advance....

-Reciever80

[Reciever80]

bumpp eh

[Reciever80]

bump again it already went down another page...

[dlsayremn]

You have eliminated everything that a home tester can check without equipment.

The majority of bad caps look look like good caps and nothing like the pictures posted on the internet.

Choices:
Take it it to a shop and let them check it. End results wil probably be: It is a bad cap (meaniong we couldn't find anything else wrong), and the motherboard needs to be replaced.

Replace the motherboard. Do it yourself or have a friend who is a computer whiz do it for a case. (Case to be delivered only after the job is done or course)

If you do it yourself and it is the first time, check for How To's onthe internet. There are good ones with pictures. Might even find one for your specific model. Heard Optiplex MB's are notoiuos for bad caps.

Also checkout crjdriver's post "Moving a windows install or swapping motherboards without a clean install of windows". Sticky located at TechGuys Hardware Forum.

http://forums.techguy.org/hardware/8...herboards.html

[Reciever80]

Cool thanks I'll make sure to check that out, and Confirmation was much appreciated.

[Reciever80]

Yeah, it turns out it was a bad motherboard. Got it replaced, and now it's back to normal. Thanks!