Your PC won’t turn on? Well that is one possible sign but sometimes, long before your Dell Optiplex or Dimension won’t power on, you are given some signs.

One of the most common indicators your Dell PCs power supply is on the way out is the computer is off and you didn’t turn it off. If you find your computer is shutting off on it’s own; and when you reboot windows is asking if you’d like to start regularly or in safe mode there is a good chance your power supply will stop functioning shortly.

Notice a blinking amber light on the front of your Dell computer at any point and the chances your power supply is about to fail is even greater.

To prolong it’s life while you wait for your replacement power supply to arrive from DiscountElectronics.com turn your computer off when not in use. Shutting it down will also help prevent possible data corruption from power failure.

If your Dell PC has difficulty powering on and you get the blinking amber light failure is eminent. I have seen instances where reducing the load on the power supply by unplugging unneeded USB and internal devices will put off inevitable.

Dell power supplies are better than most. The vast majority of the machines we see needing replacement are more than 2 years old and come from environments that are dusty, where computers are left on day and night or both. But when they do fail it is most often in the SFF or small form factor desktops. The limited size of these machines means the components are closer together. As a result there is less air and less air flow to dissipate the heat.

All Dell power supplies are easy to change. A swap can be done in less than five minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver.

If you want to lengthen the lifespan of your PC’s power supply keep the machine in a well ventilated area and free from dust. Vacuum out the inside of your computer every couple months. Holding the vacuum nozzle to the back of the power supply itself will help too.