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Dell Dimension XPS D300 - monitor problem
I have a very old Dell Dimension XPS D300 which I use for one specific purpose. Having been inactive for several years I fired it up again about seven years ago and keep a database on it which I update regularly. Fortunately I also keep copies on a floppy. After many years of good service I turned the monitor on this week to find that the screen comes on and then goes black. If I turn the screen off and on again the same happens it comes on momentarily and then goes black. Assuming that this was a monitor related issue I changed the monitor and exactly the same thing happens on the replacement monitor. the screen comes on momentarily and then goes off. Can anyone help me resolve this issue or has the desktop finally failed after 27 years of dedicated service. Thanking you in anticipation.
Chino de Oro
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April 22nd, 2023 14:00
Don't know if the motherboard uses a coin cell battery back then. You can check and replacing the battery if it has one. The battery model (size) is imprinted on the battery. Remember the direction of positive (+) usually facing up.
redxps630
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April 22nd, 2023 16:00
screen is not getting any post video from legacy pc, thus on then off.
even if this pc is rescued this time does not mean it will run for another 3 years or longer. rather than waiting for the real end, consider moving hdd/data to newer pc. D300 is a Pentium II pc. Users who use this era of pc tend to be more interested in retro pc or vintage for old games etc.
Dellicious1
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April 27th, 2023 10:00
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Do you have thoughts on how this sort of problem can be fixed please? It is a shame to lose use of the old pc completely and I would like to get it working again if possible - I will not use it for anything important going forward though. Thank you again Paul
Dellicious1
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April 27th, 2023 10:00
Thank you for taking the time to reply. The pc is working it just isn’t generating any visual output on the monitor apart from when it comes on for a fraction of a second. A battery problem sounds more terminal than that - what do you think? Thanks again
Chino de Oro
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April 27th, 2023 15:00
The issue of non-display could be anything such as graphics card, cable, monitor. The suggestion for battery replacement was due to combination of the age of machine and the length of storage. The battery would had been dead by now. It's an essential part, function as backup power to the BIOS. Due to its low cost (1 - 2 dollars), battery replacement was the first troubleshooting step suggested and brought good results in many cases.
A computer that old will eventually stop functioning due to electrical damage on motherboard. Burnt out IC, leaked capacitor to name a few. Any type of costly maintenance or repair should be reconsider as the value is not worthy, even for nostalgic or collector value.
If you are in the US, a complete office machine with Windows 10, good enough for daily usages (no gaming) can be had for 79 usd. Example, these are OptiPlex with 6th generation processor and Win 10 pro.