Dell Inspirion 2020 Power issues

[brothoff]

I have a Dell Inspirion 2020 All-In-One that powered off last week on its own.  When I would plug the power cord in, the blue fuse light would shut off instantly.  I tried the cord on other devices, worked fine.  Tried different cords on computer and had the same result of the light on the cord shutting off instantly.  After asking around, it appears to be the motherboard.  Bought one from Dell, and installed it.  All I did was unhook old one and install cables back in exact place.  I took a picture before hand to make sure.  Now I get a single amber light on the power button but will not power up.  I know the fan starts when I push the power button but as soon as the amber light comes on, which is 1 sec after I push the power button, the fan cuts off.  Any direction or assistance would be great to fix this large paperweight.

[patio]

Unfortunately it likely wasn't the MBoard...but the power pack...
See if they will work with you on an exchange.

[brothoff]

Thanks for the response.  I will check but I did this in the mean time.  I took the back of the computer off and there is a light on the motherboard that comes on when I plug the power cord in.  I did the same to the old motherboard and no light and the cord light cut off right away.  When I pushed the power button on the computer I get that single flash amber light, the fan starts but cuts off when the light goes out.  Would that still be a power pack issues?

[patio]

Based on that i would say likely that both components failed at the same time...
Keep the new board ...and search out a power pack.
NOTE...with power packs do not buy a generic one...nothin but headaches.

[brothoff]

Thank you

[Geek-9pm]

Is this the same power external power pack?

Compatible Part #'s: PA-4E, JU012, 2TXJ7, 331-5817, WRHKW, VJCH5, VNM7N, 2TXJ7, D232H, X408G, 330-1830.

Specifications:
Input: 100-240V~2.5A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5V-6.7A
Watts: 130 Watts

It should be easy to test the power pack with a load resistor and a standard Voltmeter.

A 3 ohm 100 Wat power resistor.
It is about $5 at newegg. It is used to test power packs. 
 

[patio]

Doesn't test under load.

[Geek-9pm]

Doesn't test under load.

Why ?

[patio]

I have to explain it ? ?
It checks continuity...it doesn't test what happens when the PSU is under load.

[Geek-9pm]

Sorry, my post was too short. A 3 ohm power resistor is sold by Newegg for industrialist and technical work. The 100 watt 3 ohm resistor is the correct load to test a 19 volt power pack. A voltmeter can confirm the 19 volts while the power pack is disappointing current into the resistor. That kind of power supply should keep the output very close to 18 volts while doing about 6 amps into the 3 ohm resistor. The cost of the resistor is a fraction of a new power pack. And the resistor can be used for other power supply testing. A field tech should have one in his tool kit if he does work on Dell systems with external power packs.

[patio]

So 5 Bucks...what about a voltmeter ?

All i'm stating is your post led him to believe it was a test that cost 5 Bucks.

[Geek-9pm]

So 5 Bucks...what about a voltmeter ?

All i'm stating is your post led him to believe it was a test that cost 5 Bucks.

I just thought he already have one.   
Newegg has multi voltmeters from $10 to $40 that are great for general purpose testing.