has my computer died?

needaspirin

Unplug it from the mains and take off the side covers (usually 2 screws). Have a look inside with a torch to see if anything is obviously amiss. Sometimes the CPU (processor) fan and heatsink fall off older Intel 478 based motherboards due to the poor design. If things seem OK have a look inside the fan on the motherboard. After 5 years I would expect it to look like this:
Clean out the dust and try the PC again.

JasX

Codes starting with 2 long beeeps indicate a bad RAM chip on most system BIOSs

**INFO RAM memory chips are very susceptible to damage from static electricity -precautions are to make sure you GROUND yourself before handling/poking hands anywhere near the inside of your case ie touch bare metal on something grounded within reach nearby eg radiator pipe etc, vacume cleaners generate huge levels of static and shouldn't be used *anywhere* near a PC you are not intentionally trying to destroy**

You could confirm this by downloading a free RAM testing tool (eg: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memtest86) and running it from a boot disk/CD to look for RAM errors.

How many RAM modules does your PC have? (they look like the top picture in this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory). If it has more than one and only one is faulty removing the faulty board would be one way to resolve the problem

macman

Agree, get the side panel off and blow all the dust out, you can't do it just by hoovering from outside. Use a can of compresed air to do the job properly, blast all the dust out of the PSU fans and everywhere else. If the power supply is on the way out (which is what it sounds like) then it's not hard to replace it-if you can change the hard drive, then you can change a PSU.
BTW, what you are referring to as the 'processor' is the base unit. The processor is the small component with a fan on top of it attached to the motherboard. Clean that fan out too.
If you post the model no. we can send you a link to the manual on the Dell site to help you ID the components.

enigma52

check and make sure the keyboard is plugged in properly if it is try another keyboard (if possible), just could be the problem.

macman

enigma52 wrote: »

check and make sure the keyboard is plugged in properly if it is try another keyboard (if possible), just could be the problem.

How does that account for the burning smell? It's got to be the PSU or a huge build up of dust inside (possibly both).

virgin_moneysaver

macman wrote: »

Agree, get the side panel off and blow all the dust out, you can't do it just by hoovering from outside. Use a can of compresed air to do the job properly, blast all the dust out of the PSU fans and everywhere else. If the power supply is on the way out (which is what it sounds like) then it's not hard to replace it-if you can change the hard drive, then you can change a PSU.
BTW, what you are referring to as the 'processor' is the base unit. The processor is the small component with a fan on top of it attached to the motherboard. Clean that fan out too.
If you post the model no. we can send you a link to the manual on the Dell site to help you ID the components.

im assuming psu stands for power supply unit? - i'm going to have a go at removing the cover & will report findings back later

macman

Yes PSU is the power supply unit. The big box at the top rear where the main lead plugs in.
Most Dell desktops are pretty easy to open up and work on inside.

virgin_moneysaver

found the book so had alook inside to see if anything amiss, nothing obvious, blew out the dust around the fan/filter, the ide connection was loose but couldn't be sure it wasn't done opening the casing - anyway, no dice, still not working, beeps again when start & it just sounds really ropey - next step?

fwor

If you're to find out with any certainty what the beep code that you're getting means, you need to find out who the BIOS was made by.

Often if you look on the main board you will see that one of the smaller square or rectangular chips has a sticker on with the BIOS makers name - typically Award, Phoenix or AMI, though there are a few others. Alternatively if you can be specific about make and model of base unit, Google will probably provide the info on BIOS.

The IDE cable may have been relevant, but unlikely - they don't generally carry enough current to cause overheating. In fact there are typically only four major components in a PC that could overheat - as others have said, the PSU and the processor are the two most likely, so it shouldn't be hard to track down.

macman

Reboot it with the side panel off and if it's still giving a burning smell you should be able to locate the source of it better.
TBH it doesn't sound like you've cleaned it very extensively, you need to blast it with a can over the motherboard, around the processor fan and heatsink, and from both both inlet and outlet of the PSU. Just blowing with your mouth will not really do the job
Most Dells have a set of 4 diagnostic lights on them that can be interpreted to tell you what is wrong, if you post the model number or better still, the service tag (7 digit code on a label at the front or side) then better advice can be given.
Is the IDE connector now secure?