Is it the power cord?

If so it should unplug on both ends. Try just replugging it.

If it is consolidated into the PSU then you'd either have to strip the wire and see if you can fix it yourself or replace the PSU or else live with it although it will probably just get worse. Maybe not.

If it comes down to a new PSU you need to get it from Dell.

They have a 'sneaky' trick where their motherboards and PSU's have a dedicated wire that other boards and PSU's don't have. Thus only a Dell PSU will power a Dell motherboard.

yep I think it is the power lead ( hubby calls it a kettle lead as it has a plug on one end and one of those three pronged socket things on the other
we've just tried to turn it on now and its taken us 10 minutes of wiggling the lead which can't be right can it !!
whats a psu ??? is it the power lead ???
if I need to buy a new one can I only buy it direct from dell , I've tried google but cant' find a link

The PSU is the Power Supply Unit.

It could be a failing cord (lead). It could be the pins on the PSU are at fault.

Check the pins on the PSU for any looseness or perhaps corrosion.

Next check the lead. Hold the plug secure in the computer and see if wiggling the lead causes the on / off. This could be an issue with a wire in the lead.

You should be able to find a new lead at any electronics store. Just make sure the plugs are the same.

If it is the pins on the PSU it might need to be replaced or you could try a repair. Might require a bit of soldering.

I will try to find some Dell links if it needs to be replaced but check out the lead itself first etc..

I'm quite convinced that it is something to do with the lead
wiggling it definately makes a difference but sometimes it takes a while to get the unit to come on but thats literally all we're doing wiggling the lead which makes me think something there isn't quite right
I will take a closer look tomorrow ( off to bed now )
thanks once again for your help you've been great
if you can find a dell link that would be brilliant but I will go and look in somewhere like pc world , I'll take the lead with me
fingers crossed thats all it is and not something more serious

tried a new lead and got the flashing amber light again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what now ???

Check the connections in the PSU.

The three prongs that the lead leads to.

Are any loose? Corroded?

nope all checked
I rang pc world today and they said it sounds like the power supply unit although they were a bit baffled that once the computer is on it runs fine

The fact of the 'wiggling' suggest just a bad contact.

If the line is good it must be in the PSU. It could be quite simple but I don't know what you can do short of opening the PSU and checking it inside.

Of course replacing it is another option but I would try to open up this one and see if there is anything evident.

Anyway I found a replacement on eBay:

Dell™ Dimension™ 5100 Service Manual

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/sm/index.htm


NEW-DELL-Dimension-5000-5100-5150-Power-Supply-PSU

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-DELL-Dimen...sid=p1638.m124

thank you so much for all your help
I'm going to get someone round to have a look at it as I'm really not that confident about opening it up
maybe I'll watch what he does so I'll know for next time lol
I am really grateful for the time you've given me I will let you know the outcome

Alright. It is actually quite easy as far as replacing goes.

We can help you through it if you want.

As far as trying to fix the existing one it might be tricky. Again I'd image it needs a bit of solder on some connection inside.

Anyway let us know how it goes.