Press and hold F8 key after your computer initially powers on.
Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu (or hear a beep) you can stop.
Use the up/down arrow keys to highlight your selection.
Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
You should see drivers loading, this may take a few moments.
You should then be at the Welcome Screen.
Logon to your computer using an account with Administrator privileges.
Now you should download (free) MalwareBytes fromhere:http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncolinstall, update then do a scan of your system in safe mode, to make sure it is indeed clean! Once the scan is done delete anything it finds. Then simply reboot your PC to see if your issue has been resolved!
your internet explorer may be out of date..... if you can use another computer to download firefox and put it on a usb stick and install it on your computer to verify if its an internet explorer problem or maybe something else
Put the first disk in that will say operating System.
Turn the computer on and immediately keep tapping F12. This will show a boot menu. Select the CD/DVD Drive.
If prompted 'Press and key to boot from CD/DVD...' press any key.
This will load into the recovery disk follow the on screen instructions to recover the computer.
Test your PSU power supply unit or replace it if your power supply units fan is not working your PSU is faulty http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/f/powersupplytest.htmTesting & replacing the PC's power supplyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbNxhvm0czs One bad lead can cause a computer to continue on a cycle of restarting or to shutdown or fail to detect/ boot up a computer hard drive WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Test all leads that attach to your hard drive power and data cables IDE SATA the leads from your MOTHERBOARD TO YOUR HARD DRIVE make sure they have a secure dust free connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty Make sure all leads that are attached to your dvd\cd floppy drives have secure connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty. Computers need power and data to travel through every working device to continue its cycle and have an end so any faulty leads will end up with a computer error. Even something as small as a faulty electrical or fan lead can cause you problems Motherboard and a Hard Drive any leads between them will fail before your motherboard or your hard drive if its a flat ribbon 40 pin type IDE replace it this will be the first to fail. Check all electrical power input and extensions make sure they are securely seated even the cd/dvd floppy drives need to have current go through make sure these drives are working also check the Cmos battery and computer RAM modules make sure they are securely seated with no dust built up or in the sockets on some motherboards cmos batteries are soldered in. Check you CPU central processing unit make sure its securely seated and has thermal paste it might be getting to hot the thermal paste will help disperse the heat Thermal compound is a sticky paste that is placed directly onto the CPU. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-February-2012/1490 Allowing for a more direct heat transfer between the CPU and HEAT SINK and preventing air gaps from forming between the CPU and heat sink. Another possible reason could be a memory dump you might be running to many programs at the one time putting to much strain on the CPU central processing unit. If you can get your computer stable enough scroll to bottom toolbar bottom of screen right click select task manager applications you will see whats running if you see anything you dont need running select end now also under processes see what is ticking over again if you see something you don't need to be running end now or you might uninstall that program and some unnecessary programs not having enough computer ram can cause memory dumps If you are not sure if a module is right for your system use the Crucial Memory Advisor tool for a list of guaranteed compatible modules. first you will need to select the manufacturer from a drop down list then select your product line from a drop down list then select the model then click find it will take you directly to compatible ram also you will have an option to scan your system you should always for a guarantee on any ram modules when purchasing them or buy working pairs if possible. You might have a virus or malware. Download at least one of these of course it will depend on your operating system. http://www.majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Security_Essentials_for_Windows_d6242.html microsoft security essentials your operating system must be registered Win7/Vista/XP 64 bit http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4281&file=1&evp=dbb3b0aebe6a6a4ff18089a6489a5e62 anti malware free edition Win XP/2003/Vista/Windows7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials/product-information malware protection http://100-downloads.com/download.php?p=615 windows xp microsoft security essentials http://100-downloads.com/download.php?p=614 windows 7 microsoft security essentials Capacitors look like small metallic canisters and they are found in many different computer components including computer monitors, computer motherboards, video cards, power supplies and a variety of other consumer products. A bad capacitor can cause a variety of computer problems, but if you can identify the faulty capacitor you may be able to replace it and save your computer. Capacitor Capacitors, sometimes also called condensers, are used to store energy in an electric field. In the context of computing, capacitors are used to block the direct current being circulated around the motherboard. A typical capacitor should last up to 15 years, but some computer manufacturers use substandard capacitors resulting in shorter lifetimes. Computer Problems b> When a capacitor has gone bad on a computer you may experience a large range of problems. The computer may have trouble booting up, or it may shut down without notice after running for only a short period of time. The most common problems associated with faulty capacitors are that they cause unexpected computer crashes and general reliability issues ranging from read/write issues to distorted screen images. b> Identifying a Bad Capacitor b> To identify a bad capacitor you will need to open your computer case and locate the capacitors on your motherboard. A bad capacitor may exhibit swelling at the top or the base of the capacitor or it may sit at an awkward angle with the motherboard, so compare the various capacitors in your computer in terms of and placement. Additionally, a bad capacitor may have a funny smell or it may have a brownish residue leaking from the top or the base. b> Prevention b> Manufacturers claim that capacitors may go bad because a computer is not receiving enough power from a power supply, because of an overclocked processor or because a computer is operating in an environment with too much heat or humidity. However, some capacitors prematurely fail due to faulty work on the part of the manufacturer. If you have a bad capacitor be sure to do research as to the lifespan of other products made by your manufacturer. Identifying bad capacitors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA4k32jLGc Capacitor replacement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Pn2tEjY04 How to check a capacitor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tnHA0phcc Replacing a leaking capacitor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Pn2tEjY04 Could be a problem with the Hard Drive or the Hard drives PCB http://www.onepcbsolution.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0Qd_3wFWM
CMOS stands for Complementary metal--oxide--semiconductor and is a type of microprocessor that is used to store a computer's basic input/output system, or BIOS. The BIOS is a small set of instructions designed to get the computer up and running and to load the operating system. Clearing the CMOS will return all BIOS settings to their defaults. This can be useful when diagnosing computer problems. The Dell Inspiron 531 desktop computer contains a clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard that will allow you to easily clear the BIOS settings. Prepare the computer for service by first shutting it down and then disconnecting the power cable and all peripheral devices attached to the computer. Place the computer onto its left side as you face it from the rear. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the two screws from the rear of the case that hold the cover on. Pull the cover toward the rear of the case a few inches and then lift it off the case to expose the motherboard and other internal components. WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Attach your anti-static wrist strap. Make sure you attach the clip to an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis. This will ground you and prevent a static electric discharge which can damage sensitive computer parts like the RAM modules and processor. Locate the jumper located along the edge of the motherboard furthest from you as you face the rear of the computer. It has two rows of three pins each. The clear CMOS jumper is the set of three pins closest to the rear of the computer. Remove the jumper from its current position on pins one and two and place it onto pins two and three. Wait approximately five minutes for the CMOS to clear and replace the jumper onto pins one and two. The CMOS settings are now reset to the defaults. owner manual index http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd531/en/om/appendix.htm - wp1141353 owner manual http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd531/en/om/parts.htm - wp1595069
Try reconnecting the video cable to the PC and monitor.Try using a another video cable.Try connecting the monitor to another computer to see if the monitor is faulty.
That model does not have any SD card readers. Here's a link to the owner's manual:ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_inspiron_desktop/inspiron-531s_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf
Let's see if the Power On switch is the problem, or the Power Supply.(Power On switch is located inside the plastic assembly, of the Power On Button)The test is to bypass the Power On switch, using a jumper wire on the 24-pin ATX main power cable's, connector.http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-Inspiron-531-531s-M2N61-AX-MotherBoard-0RY206-/271109542659?pt=Motherboards&hash=item3f1f635303(Not advertising, using for reference)See the white connector on the bottom/middle edge, of the motherboard? Has two rows of 12 socket holes.This is a general example of a 24-pin ATX main power cable, and it's respective connector on the motherboard,(NOTE* Color of connectors does NOT matter),http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atxmain24The power cable is left connected to the motherboard, as shown in the photo to the far right.The BACK of the connector is where the wires go in.The BACK of the connector is where the jumper wire is used.The Green wire is the Soft Power On wire. Abbreviated as PS_ON.The Green wire is BRIEFLY jumped to ANY Black wire.ALL Black wires are Ground wires.The preferred jumper wire is a straightened out paperclip, bent into a U-shape.The top of the U is wrapped a few times with black plastic electrical tape, for your fingers, and thumb to hold onto.(Did you know that 1 wrap of black plastic electrical tape, is good for 600 Volts DC?)Turn the U shape upside down, and it is the 'legs' that you are going to use.One leg goes down into the Back of the power cable's connector, in the Green wire socket hole; and RIGHT NEXT to the insulation of the wire.Then slides down in far enough, to touch a female metal terminal,http://www.molex.com/molex/products/datasheet.jsp?part=active/0002081202_CRIMP_TERMINALS.xml&channel=Products&Lang=en-USThe leg of the U-shaped jumper wire, MUST touch that metal terminal.The other leg of the U-shaped jumper wire, goes down into a socket hole, with ANY Black wire in it.ALL Black wires are Ground wires.The contact period is no more than 2 seconds. The Power On switch is a Momentary Contact Switch.IF, the Power Supply comes on you have a bad Power On switch.IF, the Power Supply does NOT come on you have a bad Power Supply.http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp531s/en/OM/html/index.htmhttp://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp531s/en/OM/html/parts.htm#wp1659086http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp531s/en/OM/html/parts.htm#wp1508953FOLLOW Anti-Static PrecautionsAnti-Static Precautions:Your body carries Static electricity. Static WILL fry out (Short Circuit), the delicate hardware components inside a computer.Relieve your body of Static BEFORE reaching inside your computer.Computer ON a table, computer unplugged from power, computer case open;TOUCH an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of the open computer case.This action will relieve your body of Static.IF you leave your computer in the middle of working on it, be SURE to Touch the metal frame again upon your return.I disconnect all cables, lay a soft static free cloth on the table; and lay the computer on it's side; opening UP; to work on it.SO much easier.For additional questions please post in a Comment.Regards,joecoolvette
