Dell optiplex gx260

Blinking amber usually means power supply or memory if you changed the power supply I would change the memory

An amber power light that stays on indicates that the power supply is getting power to the motherboard, but the system can't process any data.

This is one of those cases where you would need to strip down the system and start with minimal hardware installed.
First remove all the PCI cards and the memory, as well as disconnecting the drives, to see if the system gives a beep code for no memory.
Next, add back the memory, one stick at a time if you have two in the computer. Connect the hard drive back to the system and see if it will boot up from this configuration. If not, then if you are using the onboard video, try an add in PCI video card.
If it still will not boot then the problem is likely to be the hard drive, mother board or processor.
You would want to try another hard drive to test. If you can boot from this configuration, then add back the other drives one at a time, then do the same with the PCI cards. At the point where the symptom returns, that will tell you which part is causing the issue.


Here is the manual
http://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-gx260_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf

You say the power light is orange--I'm assuming that you mean the monitor.
This indicates the monitor is not receiving a signal from the computer.
Assuming that the computer actually powers up (fan runs, you can hear the hard drive being accessed, etc) then your problem lies in the video card.

If, on startup, you do see the BIOS info and maybe even the Windows splash screen before your monitor goes dark, then the problem lies in the video card drivers. In this case, starting in safe mode will work and allow you to download and install new drivers.

Do you mean the monitor's power light starts green and then turns orange when you turn it on? Most monitors will go to a power saving mode when they do not get a signal from the computer.

The Dell GX260 has a green power light when on. When the computer is off, the light is off. If it is green and blinking, then the computer is in a power saving mode.

Diagnosis: start with the obvious: is the monitor cable plugged into both the computer and the monitor (if not permanently connected to the monitor)? Are you connected to the active port? (You can add a video graphics card in most desktops. The motherboard video port usually needs to be disabled to use the card ports. If you plug in the monitor cable to the disabled port, it won't work.) Is the monitor set to the correct input? (This applies if the monitor has several ports. In that case, there will be a Source or Input button on the monitor.) Is the computer on? The GX260 has the power button on the front. (Other computers have the power button on the top.) There is also the power supply switch on the back which needs to be on.

Next try a different data cable between the monitor and the computer (if you can). Try a different monitor. If a second monitor works, than the monitor has a damaged main board. If the second monitor doesn't work, then the video graphics adapter has probably failed. Replace the add-on card, if in use, then boot in the safe mode to remove the old graphics driver. Then install the correct driver for the graphics adapter.

Note: the computer and the monitor should both be off when you connect the cables. Then turn on the monitor first and set it to the correct source before turning on the computer.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

It depends on the color, if it's green or amber. This may indicate the computer is in sleep mode. Press the power button to see if you can turn on the pc. If it doesn't press and hold power button for five seconds. You may give more details. I hope this helps

chk to see if u have the right chipset or driver installed for ur video

That is a memory failure 1 or more sticks of memory are malfunctioning, here is a link with all the information about the diagnostic lights as well as a beep code list

http://www.austincc.edu/cloud/manuals/Dell/GX260/solvprob.htm#1167139

Open up the case and remove any add in cards and memory modules. Try to start up by adding these back one at a time until the unit stops booting normally. The light combination is not one recognised in the user manual so I am guessing you have a non-descript fault with one of your components. Be careful when you open the case as to not disturb the ribbon to the motherboard which controls the power, I have had a very long experience trying to get one of these reconnected!

when did you purchase the computer? you might try to call dell for support..one thing I suggest,try to check the cables including the power supply cables..

I had the same issue and accidentally discovered a temporary solution. Unplug the power from the back of the machine, open the case and unplug the ATX power connection from the motherboard. With the ATX cable unplugged, plug the power cord back in. When you try to turn the computer back on the power light should turn orange and fans should be spinning, with it powered on plug the ATX connector back in. That should turn the computer off. Turn it back on and it should boot fine. You can even shutdown and restart, but when the power is unplugged you will have to go thru the same process to get it back up. This sounds crazy but it worked on mine. Good Luck!