Dell OptiPlex GX280 PC Desktop Logo
Posted on Sep 30, 2008
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Dell Optiplex gx280 shuts down and orange power light blinks

My Dell Optiplex gx280 will start up fine and run for about 30 mins to 1 hour at times. It then completely just shuts off and im left with a blinking orang power light. I then have to hold in the power button to shut it off completely. i can start it right back up but then it will only run for a few minutes and the do the same. I need to let it sit off for awhile then i can run it for another 30 mins

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  • dnev6784 Oct 16, 2008

    I also have a GX280, and based off the advice of this and other forums, I ordered a replacement power supply. After installing the new PS, I booted up the system, and the same thing happened. System powered up for a half second, then off. The orange light was blinking again. I've noticed that when I remove the smaller cable that attaches near the CPU the system will stay powered up, but will not post.



    I imagine this problem is motherboard related, and isnt going to be fixed easily.

  • spragumi Nov 22, 2008

    I have an Optiplex-GX280, the system was running fine and all of a sudden everything shuts down. The power button blinks orange and the light on the MOBO is orange also. Solution(s) would be greatly appreciated.
    thanks.


  • jstubb Jan 13, 2009

    I have the same problem with a Dell OPtiplex GX280 SFF.

    I did intstall a VC to the system. It worked well for a long time and I had a Sound card installed too. Now I have the exact same symptoms - All pointing too overheating - The power supply is hot to the touch. I am going to order PS replacement and if that does not work I am going to part it out and buy a Mini Mac for the 1st time.

  • jabri75 Jan 30, 2009

    I get the same problem with dell gx520, I replaced motherboard and power supply but still shutting off after 10 minutes being on. I really dont know what causing it. Any ideas ? Thank you !

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It happens because the power supply is overheats and computer goes to standby. The power supply is 160w or lower. Specially it will happen if you put more devices in such as video card or sound card. So the only solution you have is to place a small 1or2 fans toward the power supply to make it cooler. And 1 more thing the power for the fans should come from other sources.

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Check the capacitors on the motherboard, they tend to bulge on some of the GX280 motherboards!

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At the business where I'm IT director we have over 50 dell pc's and I've had this issue probably a dozen times. The problem is that Dell used cheap fans in their power supplies. When the computer is cold it boots fine but as it heats up eventually the temp sensors shut the system off. Once you've let it cool again it will boot up and run until it heats up again and you are back where you started. I've written how to repair this in detail on my website: John Fixes Stuff How to Replace the Power Supply Fan in Dell Optiplex GX520

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I have dell Gx-280, problem is when i stat its work good no sound after almost 15 minutes start to give high sound. i am in too tention, pls tell me if have any solution.

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I make cooling fans, and am interested in somebody sending me there exhaust cooler, to try and modify it so it will cool properly. Minimal cost to the person who provides it. I have 51 listings for computer cooling cards on the list

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I've heard that unplugging USB devices and booting up may solve the problem. 
Another solution is checking the pins on the USB connections on the computer.  Sometimes a bent pin will give you this error.
Lastly you can try changing the CMOS battery.  This is the little battery on the Motherboard that looks like a watch battery.

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I have a similar issue, however i wouldnt reccommned removeing any cables near the Cpu, quite often with pentiums this is for voltage regulation, in other words you run the serious risk of fragging your cpu or shortening its life.

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Anonymous

I have had this happen to several systems and Dell usually sends me a replacement power supply - the power down to a flashing amber power light is regularly related to a PS fail. It can occasionally be a motherboard, but usually is not.

I would look at your power supply fan - is it running? When the power downs get closer and closer throughout the day, it shows signs of overheating (even though it does not show thermal events in the BIOS or logs).

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For the Optiplex 320, a flashing amber light with no sound indication can mean 3 things.


1) Your power supply has failed

2) Your motherboard failed, most likely from a bad capacitor.

3) The front panel board (where the power button is located) is faulty or not connected properly.


I've worked with 10's of 1000's of Dell Optiplex's over the past 8 years and the flashing amber light is well known as a tell-tail sign of one of those three failure. Always start your trouble shoot with a PSU tester, then inspect the motherboard for domed or split/leaking capacitors...then on to the front panel which would require another panel and ribbon from the same model.

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Dell Support > Optiplex GX280 Desktop PC > User Manual,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx280/en/ug/tindex.htm


I chose the Mini-Tower model because the following information applies to all models;
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Computer and Software Problems > Troubleshooting Tools and Utilities > System Lights,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx280/en/ug/tools02.htm#wp1114432

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Orange light bliking

press and hold power button until the machine shuts down completely then wait a few seconds and press the power button again it should power up normally if not there could be a problem with your power source, processor or RAM.
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Dell Optiplex gx280 shuts down and orange power light blinks

The power supply is definitely overheating. SO if tweaking the fan doesn't help, then replace the power supply
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OPTIPLEX GX280 BIOS UPDATE NOW SYSTEM WONT START. ORANGE LIGHT SHOWING ONLY! Before the upgradation, My system was working perfectly fine. After the installation. My system is not working and the orange...

You need a start-up CD and re-flash the Bios to Factory settings that worked. Best guess would be something was wrong with the BIOS package you had installed or someone/something messed up the installation which is causing your problem.

If you have factory CD Try to start the computer with that in.
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Dell Optiplex GX280 - On power ON , no Fan movement no display

Confirm no leaking or bulging capacitors on your mothboard.
refer to here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

As this was a common problem with the GX280.
If found, you will need to replace the capacitors.

The other check is to make sure the heatsink is fitted correctly, perhaps reaply the thermal paste if you have any. I know that high temps would switch the GX280 off.
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Dell GX280

Same problem... orange power light, fan starts slow and builds up to very high speed.
I removed my video card and SIMMs --> it beeped on boot and the fan did not speed up.
Put one SIMM back in --> booted fine, pressed F2 to view BIOS. Memory reported fine.
Put all SIMMs back in --> all fine now.
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Dell GX 280 wont start

An Amber blinking power button indicates a low voltage problem. This can be caused by a defective power supply or a defective motherboard. Just to make sure that nothing else is causing the problem, remove any PCI cards like modem, video card, sound card, etc... Remove the memory modules and disconnect cables to CD/DVD drives. Look at the USB ports to see if any are damaged.



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