-----Original Message-----
Date:    Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:11:54 -0400
From:    Gloria D <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Dell won't boot=?iso-8859-1?Q?=FE?=

Thank you so much for offering help. I still can't get it to boot. I have=
=20
tried all your suggestions.  I just tried the ram in another computer and=
 it=20
worked fine and showed the correct amount so I now know it's not the ram=20
that is bad. It has to be something on the motherboard.  Maybe a bad ram=20
slot?  I did get a beep when I took out all the ram but no matter how I  =
put=20
the ram in did it make a difference. It still had the 3rd and 4th lights=20
burning and no boot.
Gloria


----- Original Message -----=20
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 boot=FE


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=
=20
removed the ram and tried different slots and sequences but that changed=20
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=
=20
out of warranty)

(2) you are comfortable working inside the box and know the essential=20
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 yo=
u=20
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=
=20
down (if no boot that is the bad ram)  then insert another one and reboot=
.if=20
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=20
measures.

goodluck----Venkat


------------------------------
I just opened my Dell owners manual (Dimension 8400) and according to it, if
the "third" and "fourth" lights are amber that is an indication of faulty
RAM. But I just wanted to be sure about "third" and "fourth". The lights are
labeled "A-D" If as you say the third and fourth lights (read: "C" and "D")
are amber, then there is a memory problem somewhere. (You have tried just
one module in the first slot - closest to the processor?) If you have tried
the sticks in a different machine and they work correctly, as you have said,
then there may be a problem elsewhere on the motherboard. I also see in the
manual where if the first two lights are amber (read: "A" and "B") then
there is a problem with an expansion card (modem, sound card). I know this
sounds silly, but are you looking at the back of the case straight on or
"over the top"?

HTH

Chris Ryan

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