Like he said first check the power switch by jumping the pins on the motherboard. just put a screwdriver touching the two pins that the cable is attached to.
Do you have a test power supply or a power supply tester?
Nothing bad can possibly come out of this.
Oh wait. I have that backwards.
Go here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...MATCH&Description=power+supply+tester&x=0&y=0
A power supply tester is a pretty simple device. I imagine a Radio Shack with them. If you have a computer shop nearby that sells parts they would have them. Newegg is normally ontop of there prices, but I find those kind of overpriced. To me that $8.99 one is worth maybe $4.99.
*quick story*
I own a house that I rent out.
The house has a very unique button in the kitchen. It is called the 'New Refrigerator button'.
I had prepared the house for new tenants. I was getting ready to sign the lease. I was walking through the house one last time before the tenants got there to sign the lease when I discovered - to my horror - the refrigerator was broken.
Fuck.
I apologize to the tenants. I promise them a new frig before they move in.
We sign the lease, I run out to Sears, I pick out a new fridge.
The delivery date gets there. Sears packs up the old fridge. Brings in the new fridge, plugs it in...
nothing
I look around the kitchen. Next to the sink is one of those kitchen outlets/circuit breaker.
Someone had pressed the test button. I press reset and the fridge starts right up.
And that my friends is the 'new refrigerator button' in my house.
What does this have to do with you?
Everything.
Step one: BE ABSOLUTELY DEAD CERTAIN THAT THE REAL PROBLEM ISN'T AT EITHER THE OUTLET OR THE POWER PROTECTOR. REMEMBER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL OUTLETS ON CHEAP POWER PROTECTORS TO FRY OUT WITHOUT EVERYTHING FRYING OUT.
**
Back to your problem.
It is one of two things. It is very possible it is the actual button.
It is equally possible it is the power supply.
If I wanted to check if the power button was bad I would probably swap the reset button with the power button on the motherboard.
(you might have to hold in the reset button to get power, but it will tell you the power button is bad)
On a Dell you have a BIG problem.
Dell is known for designing there cases and mobos so that you can only use DELL power supplies.
Dell is doing exactly what you think they are doing. Attempting to force people to use Dell service if they have Dell computers.
What you need to do is figure out the part number for your power supply and google that part number.
Purchase said part and do the work yourself.
The only thing easier then a power supply swap is memory replacement. Swapping power supplies is straight forward. Just a screw driver is all you need.
