Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
594
July 22nd, 2023 12:00
Inspiron 2350 AIO, power supply issues
I got an almost-complete Inspiron 2350 All-In-One in a lot of computer parts I bought recently. It didn’t have a power supply so I found a matching desktop on eBay and got the specs from the included 130W power supply. I remembered I had a 135W HP unit and knew they were often interchangeable with Dells. I was able to get to the BIOS but it would go further except for a message about needing at least a Dell 150W power supply. I did some further research and found that this apparently came with a Dell 180W power supply. I found one locally and got it today. When I plug everything in, the green light on the power supply comes on, the blue-white light on the power button on the screen comes on, but the unit will only beep and the power button light turns amber a few seconds after being pressed. Since neither the 135W HP nor the 180W Dell will boot it, any ideas short of buying another power supply?
ejn63
10 Elder
•
29.2K Posts
0
July 22nd, 2023 12:00
Count the beeps between pauses -- how many do you hear?
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
July 22nd, 2023 16:00
That slipped my mind. I’ll check when I go by the office tmrw afternoon and post back.
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2023 10:00
The beeps start simultaneously with the power button turning amber. There are 5 beeps between pauses.
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
July 23rd, 2023 11:00
First, remove the CMOS battery by gently disconnecting its plug from the motherboard socket. There may be double-sided tape underneath the bottom of the battery case, sticking it into the receptacle, so you must pry that away.
Carefully disassemble the current casing and remove the contacts to reuse on the new battery. I used a utility knife to carefully cut the plastic casing along the edges, so as not to damage the contacts. Gently pry the metal contacts away from each side of the battery. I found that a thin plastic guitar pick was useful for that. Note which colour wire goes to positive battery face, so you can replicate that with the new battery.
This will give you the idea:
https://youtu.be/Mzr7Mbm1L3k
https://youtu.be/5DdAZrTZjEM
Do NOT solder the contacts to the new battery, even though some videos suggest that. The heat from a soldering gun can easily cause the battery to explode and you could be hurt. I used aluminum tape to fasten the contacts to the new battery, then wrapped it in electrical tape.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
July 23rd, 2023 11:00
I buy the 2032 batteries 100 at a time, so I’d be interested in your advice on how to replace the one in the casing. Prior to getting an AC adapter, I had already taken the base apart to see whether or not it had a hard drive and RAM present, so I noticed that the CMOS battery wasn’t the ‘bare’ type I was used to...
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
July 23rd, 2023 11:00
5 beeps is usually a Real Time Clock failure. You should replace the CMOS battery (coin-cell battery) with a fresh one.
Follow the disassembly and reassembly steps in Dell's Service Manual.
Look on YouTube for videos showing disassembly of your model. But, be cautious with them, as some use steps or methods that are not appropriate. Use the videos to add to your understanding of what to do, but follow the steps in Dell's manual.
It appears that your CMOS battery is the type that is encased in plastic with wires and connector. If you're willing to do a little more work, you can use a standard CR2032 coin battery that is widely available. You just need to carefully disassemble the current casing and remove the contacts to reuse on the new battery. I did it recently, so can help you with more details.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
July 27th, 2023 13:00
Are you getting the same pattern of beeps, or a new pattern?
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
July 27th, 2023 13:00
I have replaced the CMOS battery as you described, even going so far as buying a small roll of aluminum tape. I’m sure the positive and negative are connected correctly and used a brand new battery.
What I can’t figure out is why an underpowered power supply will let me get to the BIOS but the supposedly ‘correct’ one will only beep at me…
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
July 27th, 2023 13:00
Sorry, I had intended to clarify that. Same 5 beeps
SVJeff
1 Rookie
•
105 Posts
0
September 7th, 2023 18:30
@filbert
> That is quite odd. Are both
> AC adapters recognized in
> BIOS, and BIOS displays the
> correct wattage?
I will double check that tmrw and post back. Thanks.