Dell gx280 sff show orange light when turned off.fans running though My Dell Optiplex GX280 makes a lot of nice and fails to boot. It also displays orange lights and just hangs, it does not even boot the BIOS

Hello here is the home page:

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/ussoho1/Product/optiplex-gx280

I think you have some kind of a virus or malware on your system.

Install this program and make a full scan:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

You maybe have to start the pc in failsafe mode by pressing F8 while you reboot.

Install also a better FREE antivirus program:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201

Please uninstall any other antivirus programs before you install microsoft security essentials. Run a full scan when installed and updated.It`not great to have more than one anti virus program installed. Most antivirus programs have a background scanner running to protect you from virus vhile you surf on the internet open a file etc.With more than one antivirus program the pc`s performance will be decreased.

There are a lot of things that can cause a computer to shut down.This could also be the power supply.Try also to renew the thermal grease between the cpu and the fan but BE CAREFULL not to damage the cpu.
If you are unsuccessfull at resolving the problem visit a computer repair shop.

When you talk about checking memory, it's the physical RAM stick inside the computer. RAM does not have sectors like a hard disk drive. If it does happen to be bad I'd replace it with at least 1GB to 2GB. 512MB is really low.

Good luck

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;
Small Form Factor (SFF)
Small Desktop
Desktop
Small Mini-Tower
Mini-Tower

Computer and Software Problems > Troubleshooting Tools and Utilities > System Lights,

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

Now scroll down. What do the Diagnostic Lights indicate?
Post back in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Normally a solid amber light indicates there has been some type of hardware failure. Possibly power supply, possibly motherboard.


Here is a link with a few things you can try.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/t/17145803.aspx

This looks like a software or hardware conflict. Try running 'chkdsk' from WinXP setup cd (or Vista's), (after booting, choose option to repair).

If disk check does not help, then you will have to back-up your data manually, format the harddrive, and re-install OS.

GM from pakistan fsd problem in motherboard chepset......you should repare u r gx 280 or heat the chepset with heat gun ........ 

Sounds like a bad motherboard, I try resetting the bios , removing everything but the video , could be a bad power supply too (if you have one jump the wires in there as a test). you can buy those dell MBs cheap on fleabay.
Eric

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/eric_ab7c09ec01841771

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.

The M9475 board came on the GX280 amongst other Dell models. This is socket LGA775

make sure that the ram is seated well, and check to see if there are any cards that are loose. Also check to see if your power source in properly connected, and secure.

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.