Huge problem with computer. plz help!!!

[samman101]

I have a pretty big problem with my computer(i think). First of all, let me tell about my computer. It's a dell dimension 8400. I've got 2 512mb chips of ram. A intel 3.4ghz processor (which hasn't been overclocked) and a radeon X300 series gpu. It all started when the computer stopped turning on. I was on it, got off to eat dinner, and when i came back, everything was completely frozen. I pulled the plug (which i know now is very bad) and tried to turn it on. The little light on the on button turned orange instead of green and the computer made noises as if it were trying to start. Also, nothing would show on the screen. I tried the next day and it started up fine. Again, the same thing happened. I waited a few more days and it started again. Eventually, it froze again. This time it wouldn't start even after waiting a few days. I brought it to "geek squad" and they said that it had overheated and we would need a new computer. A week or two later, i decided to try turning it on, and it worked. So far, it works ok(right now im using a different computer). It turns on but the fan makes an extreamly loud noise as the computer starts. This goes on and off once the computer is on. It sounds like the fan is working real hard to keep the computer running. I'm not sure whether the fan is getting a bad signal and is working to hard, or if somthing is getting too hot, or if it's somthing else. Also, i've been using it with the computer open so i could see inside. It blows out much more air than usual. If you know the problem, then plz tell me. Thanks! Also, if you need more info, then reply and we can email back and forth maybe. Thanks!

 

[The_Other_One]

Could be lots of things...bad power supply, bad RAM, maybe even some other things... However, Dell's did have some bad capacitors in certain models. Maybe you have some blown capaciters. The symptoms are similar...

have you checked your heat? Get a program like Speedfan or PC Wizard and it should tell you.