Thank you so much for offering help. I still can't get it to boot. I have 
tried all your suggestions.  I just tried the ram in another computer and it 
worked fine and showed the correct amount so I now know it's not the ram 
that is bad. It has to be something on the motherboard.  Maybe a bad ram 
slot?  I did get a beep when I took out all the ram but no matter how I  put 
the ram in did it make a difference. It still had the 3rd and 4th lights 
burning and no boot.
Gloria




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Venkat Viswanathan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 3:17 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Dell won't bootþ


original msg.(clipped)

<<<< I have a Dell, XPS 400 with 3 gig ram >>>>>

<<<< I don't want to believe it's the ram because it's fairly new. I have 
removed the ram and tried different slots and sequences but that changed 
nothing. Gloria >>>>>

Hi,

from this i believe you have installed

(1) 1 or 2 sticks of new ram after u purchased the dell (which you say is 
out of warranty)

(2) you are comfortable working inside the box and know the essential 
precautions like anti-static measures to be taken

(3) there are 3 sticks of one gig each

shut the machine and take out all the sticks of ram and reboot. see if you 
get "a beep code". i will be surprised if you don't.


now shut down again and insert ANY ONE stick and reboot. if it works shut 
down (if no boot that is the bad ram)  then insert another one and reboot.if 
it does not boot that is the bad ram. if ok  try the last one.

at some point you should find the machine not booting.

that should be the bad ram.

let the list know how it works out and we will try other troubleshooting 
measures.

goodluck----Venkat

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