Dell dimension c521 diagnostic lights 2 and 3 is on.

[nheskimo]

replaced DVD disc and still lights are on.took the hard disk away and used an external device to read the hard drive and that worked ok. So not sure if the hard disc is the issue.As per DEll service manual, if 2 and 3 are on, then the problem usually is with disc drive or hard disk. THey also recommended unseating the cables and reinserting them. I did that.
thanks for your help.

 

[Proximon]

So at some point the computer stopped working, and replacing the DVD drive did not help.

How is the drive connected to the board? SATA ports or the flat PATA cable? Have you tried replacing the cable?

 

[nheskimo]

The drive is connected to the power supply unit. and that is connected to the board. Its SATA ports. I havent tried replacing the cables.
Maybe I will give that a try.thanks for your help.