pc wont boot

[Betts1964]

It is a computer that is 12 years old, worth replacing, worth fixing? It turns on but it doesn't boot up. what could be the issue? It is a all in 1 desktop Dell inspiron . Only thing I can think of is a bad RAM, MOBO or HDD. Is there something else I can be missing? 

Edited August 13, 2022 by Matt
Removed text formatting.

[Kalju]

Nothing usually happens to Mobo and RAM and I don't think there is a problem with them. Another story is HDD, but that does not usually prevent startup.
Remove HDD and start first in the BIOS settings (usually Dell F2), or in the boot selection menu (usually on Dell computers F12).
You must get there anyway and it should be possible always. When done, check the hard drive on another some computer which has  multiple hard drive slots or run any computer from the outside device (DVD, USB, etc.) and then check HDD. But I personally do not think there is much bad thing about it. Usually there is nothing happened, but if it is so old, you could do long format (I think, you know what it is). Of course, you could first check if nothing important is stored there and if needed, save it to somewhere else.
But of course the special question is what you are going to do with this antique. 
Because almost nothing works there anymore.

But to reassurance you, I can say that I have one even older (16 years) and it works with Windows 11 Pro, of course it is very slow, but it still works. Everything works.

[Matt]

@Betts1964 First of all, this is maybe the 4th time I have removed the text formatting from your posts, and yet you keep doing it. Please use the remove text formatting button after you copy any text and paste it on this site. 

 

Then please play attention where you are creating/posting new topics because your issue is releated to Hardware, and this is a software chat forum. 

 

Quote

Software Chat

Discussion relating to software items; things like web browsers, operating systems and games.

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Software Chat - Posting Guidelines

Please note: Requesting and posting links to illegal materials (including cracks, keygens and serial numbers) is not permitted. Further information is available in our Guidelines.

 

We moved your topic to Technology Talk forum where you can discusse hardware issues. 

 

Quote

Technology Talk

Discussion relating to computer hardware, gaming and other technology.

 

[Israeli_Eagle]

And simple answer: Not worth it, not even was 12 years ago. 

[kyber]

9 hours ago, Betts1964 said:

worth fixing?

Naaah. Not now. (You can install WIN 11 and all but what is the point here, as Kalju pointed it will load slow) do you seriously want to Work on it day to day?

 

 

 

[Betts1964]

21 hours ago, Matt said:

@Betts1964 Please use the remove text formatting button

 

 

No problem but WHERE IS IT   ???

 

EDIT,,,,  I see it. 

Edited August 14, 2022 by Betts1964

[AlienForce1]

On 8/13/2022 at 5:36 AM, Betts1964 said:

It is a computer that is 12 years old, worth replacing, worth fixing? It turns on but it doesn't boot up. what could be the issue? It is a all in 1 desktop Dell inspiron . Only thing I can think of is a bad RAM, MOBO or HDD. Is there something else I can be missing? 

I would try another power supply first , then , as Kalju said you should check HDD .

[AlienForce1]

Just now, AlienForce1 said:

I would try another power supply first , then , as Kalju said you should check HDD .

If you can arrive to BIOS , then your problem might be the OS , you can change HDD with an 2.5" SSD (now 500GB SSD is cheaper than HDD with same capacity)

[AlienForce1]

On 8/13/2022 at 5:36 AM, Betts1964 said:

It is a computer that is 12 years old, worth replacing, worth fixing? It turns on but it doesn't boot up. what could be the issue? It is a all in 1 desktop Dell inspiron . Only thing I can think of is a bad RAM, MOBO or HDD. Is there something else I can be missing? 

Depends on the PC configuration , if it`s an All in 1 , then the components used are like the ones for laptop (low power) and your PC is slower than a desktop with the same configuration components for desktop . 

 

For example , I write you now from an old PC with i3 3240 , 8GB RAM , SSD 2.5" SATA , Windows 11 and it`s not very much slower than a laptop with i7 8750H , 8GB RAM , SSD NVMe , Windows 11 .

[Israeli_Eagle]

4 hours ago, AlienForce1 said:

I would try another power supply first , then , as Kalju said you should check HDD .

 

Try to find a new non-standard PSU, coz Dell is allergic to standards. 

[lurch234]

On 8/12/2022 at 10:36 PM, Betts1964 said:

worth fixing?

No. Why? Take me for example. My 11 yr old i7 960 gave up the ghost last February. My MB only had pci express 2 and ddr3 ram no nvmes! Just an old slow outdated machine.

And my guess is the MB was the problem. And it wasn't worth the trouble dismantling everything for that old work horse.

I replaced it with a PC sporting a Ryzen 5600x with pci express 4 and ddr4 ram, nvme...etc.

The performance is just incredible. Do yourself a favor and don't waste anymore time on this endeavor.

[mp68terr]

On 8/13/2022 at 4:36 AM, Betts1964 said:

It is a computer that is 12 years old, worth replacing, worth fixing? It turns on but it doesn't boot up. what could be the issue? It is a all in 1 desktop Dell inspiron . Only thing I can think of is a bad RAM, MOBO or HDD. Is there something else I can be missing? 

Worth fixing?

Depends on its usage. Mine is even older than that. Changed HDD to SSD and µ$oft OS to linux (extra was a bigger screen), all fine for my needs.

[debebee]

On 8/13/2022 at 10:36 AM, Betts1964 said:

It is a computer that is 12 years old, worth replacing, worth fixing? It turns on but it doesn't boot up. what could be the issue? It is a all in 1 desktop Dell inspiron . Only thing I can think of is a bad RAM, MOBO or HDD. Is there something else I can be missing? 

Depends on

1. what you want to use it for. and what specs of the machine https://icecat.biz/en/p/dell/2305-2761/inspiron+one-all-in-one+pcs-workstations-2310-7814735.html
2. how much are you willing to spend on it. replacement hardware, OS software, labor, etc
3. how savvy are you in fixing the computer yourself, if not get help from someone with such expertise

TRY THIS

 

 If this machine  used to have windows 7 on it , dont expect it to run win 11

 

prob win 10 at most depending on hardware specs

[DKT27]

You did not mention whether it booted to BIOS or not.

 

I agree with others. Check the PSU, has to be it.

[andy2004]

my 2pence..

1 press the power button.. any power..

2 if no power.. check the psu.. is the fan spinning..noise. any fans spinning.

3. check the psu cable.. still no power..

4 check the fuse..

5 no difference, change the cable

6 still no difference.. PSU DEAD.. replace PSU.

7. if power but still not turning on.. due to the heat wave. CPU possible burnt out.. overheated..

8 check bios screen.. no bios screen.. motherboard dead

end.

[xkryptonx]

There is a malware rampant these days which targets BIOS. If Your fan can turn on, and still cannot boot into BIOS, You are most likely victim of this malware. It is similar to Sputnik malware and it targets BIOS. Chances are it most likely erased your BIOS, Only OEM can fix the issue. So, it is not worth fixing. All you can do now is get a new mainboard. This malware goes undetected by many major AVs such as Eset and Kaspersky, Bitdefender is able to catch it. It is time to get a new machine. If you have other machines in your house, update their BIOS asap to avoid damage to them.

[UberGeek]

A 12-year old computer can refuse to boot for a number of reasons . . . stating just a few here:-
BIOS misconfiguration
RAM corruption
Motherboard malfunction
SSD/HDD integrity
CPU Fan failure
PSU under-performance
GPU (if in case it's present a discrete peripheral)

Is it worth fixing . . . yes, of course (provided one possesses the competency to troubleshoot the problem/s & is resourceful enough to fix/workaround the issue/s.)