How to Troubleshoot a Dell Desktop That Won't Start Up
- 1). Check the power supply. If you are trying to power the computer on and it either does not turn on or just randomly shuts off, there is most likely an issue with the power supply. In this case, the solution is to replace the power supply. Check whether your computer is still under warranty with Dell. Most Dell computers feature a one-year warranty, during which the company will most likely replace any faulty system components. If the computer is not under warranty, you will have to pay to have the power supply replaced. Contact Dell customer support for warranty issues (see Resources).
- 2). Identify the software issue. If your computer is starting up, but you are receiving a blue screen error, chances are there is something amiss with your system settings or operating system (OS). When the computer experiences the error, reboot the system. To do this press and hold the computers power button until the system powers down. Then press the power button again to restart the system. As the system boots, you will be presented with boot options. Select "Reset System to a Previously Saved Stable System Configuration." If the error persists, insert the Dell operating system install disk into the appropriate drive and reset the computer. You will be prompted with the option to boot from the operating system disk. Select that option and press enter. Boot from the operating system disk and from the menu selection "Repair.". You can then reset the computer to factory settings, which can fix the computer's problems. This option will erase all saved data on your hard drive, so be cautious when restoring to factory settings.
- 3). Contact Dell if you are still experiencing errors. If using the Dell-provided OS software is unable to solve the problem, contact Dell customer support. Because the error may be related to a problem with your specific Dell computer, accessing the webpage from a non-affected computer can help. Dell has a customer support webpage that can help pinpoint and troubleshoot problems. If you are unable to access the Internet while trying to troubleshoot, contact Dell customer support for Netbooks and Desktops at 800-874-4096. Have the computer in question ready, because the customer service support professional will need its specific identification numbers to look up the product information. See Resources for a list of all Dell customer support phone numbers.
