Having numerous problems with my D530 SFF, freezing and black monitor (windows xp operating system)

[naj959]

First off I want to start off by saying that I am a complete noob when it comes to computer repair. But since it wouldn't kill me if I lost the files on my computer and I plan on getting a laptop soon, I am willing to fiddle around and try to fix the issue with my desktop on my own. First off the fan on my cpu had begun to get progressively louder over the years as my hard drive got closer to capacity. And it seemed like the computer may have been getting hotter than optimal temperatures. At the present time I think the harddrive is completely full and may ultimately be what is causing my issues. Periodicly I started getting messages that my virtual memory was too low and that the system would make more room. At this time I would do a little housekeeping and delete some files in order to make more room. For a year and a half this computer had not been connected to the internet than last week I hooked it up and windows installed a bunch of auto updates (seemed to run quieter and cooler). I also deleted bitdefender and malwarebytes and installed Avira. Initially everything was working fine for a couple days (some lag at times but it had been lagging for a while) and than one day I left the system on and did some things around the house. When I came back my computer had powered down on its own. When I tried to reboot led's would turn on along with the fans and cpu but my monitor would not receive a signal. I turned the coputer off checked the cords, got rid of some dust within the case and than tried to reboot and got the same thing. After that I pulled the ram and cleaned the slots along with the riser board, and the cd drive and than tried to reboot after installation. If I remember correctly this time the monitor received the signal but the system froze at the hp start menu. After I shut it down and rebooted the monitor failed to receive the signal. At this point I decided to let the darn thing sit overnight and try again in the morning. I swopped out the ram and riser board with the ones in my father's d530 and got the same results. After about 6 hours or so I booted the computer up today and was able to start windows but when I tried to access the control panel the system froze.  Initially I thought my graphics card had gone out, and than I read somewhere else that others had similar problems when their cpu went out but the fact that windows started today has me stumped. It seems like I can get further along in the startup process the longer I let my desktop sit powered off. Could it be an overheating issue?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Your SFF model has two known issues. The CMT does not have the power supply issue.

1. The power supply blows up and smokes if left unplugged for an extended period of time, so don't leave it unplugged. There are videos of this on the internet for your viewing (dis)pleasure.  I had 2 of them blow up on me. Scares the heck out of you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHPf6jHdEFg

More info.

http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Deskpro-EVO/HP-D530-SFF-Power-Supply-Failure-Information/t...

2. The model came out during the counterfeit capacitor era.  The symptoms you are desribing fit the diagnosis of bad capacitors.

Check the PC for leaking or bulging capacitors around the processor, and around the motherboard in general.

Here is a good article on that, and what to look for. Start by navigating to the links on the left and there are pictures on the right.

http://badcaps.net/pages.php?vid=2

If you have bad capacitors, I would just scrap the PC. IMO it is not worth fixing--what with the ticking time bomb power supply and all.

Get a used dc7xxx on eBay for less than $100.

Paul

[naj959]

This morning I put in some extra ram just for the hell of it and tried to boot up the computer. Today it actually displayed the startup menu and ran a disk check. I entered my password and and thought it was going to open windows but instead it went ot a black screen with a flashing place marker like it was in DOS but I was not able to enter any commands. I shut the system down and rebooted only to longer get a signal on the monitor. I took another look at the capacitors today and it looks like about three of them are oozed brownish sludge so I think you were right on the money Paul. Same thing happened to my Fathers desktop and his repair man gave him the exact same advice. This may be a stupid question but is there anyway to recover the data on the hard drive? Could I install it into a new system? I was hoping that it might boot up one last time in order for me to move everything on to an external hard drive but I've had no such luck.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If you have another PC with an IDE hard drive, you can add the one from your d530 as a secondary drive and copy the files from the drive that way.

or...

You can purchase an USB to IDE 3.5" external hard drive enclosure, put your hard drive in that, copy the files from it and use that as an external hard drive when you are done getting your stuff from it.

Just format it after you get your files from it, and it will be good to go.

Something like these...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182154

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817145132

Paul

[naj959]

Hey thanks so much Paul. Knowing that the hard drive can just be pulled and than used externally is such a relief and the route I'm gonna take. I have been thinking about putting in new capacitors myself since I have a little experience soldering things within my guitars. I looked on youtube and it doesnt look terribly difficult. I think I might keep my machine just to practice doing simple computer repairs on. If I screw up I'll just trash it. Assuming I can get some capacitors pretty cheap, I think I'll have a nice little DIY hobby.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you are good at soldering, you should be able to to it. That website gives some tips as do other places, as you saw. Capacitors are cheap. Just make sure you get the right values.

Please post back if you go through with the repairs and let us know how it turned out.

Best Regards,

Paul