[XP] Dell Dimension 8400; beeps, doesn't start

Hi I have a similar problem but cannot find the code or lights on the dell troubleshooting manuel.
The tower starts gets to a green b yellow c yellow d green and then beeps like crazy, the beeping is continous so i cant find a continous beeping code, and wondered what might be wrong.

also when i look at the abcd lights, it starts beeping on the above, but then changes to others and slower than normal will reach all green??

cheers for all help
chris

Welcome to VirtualDr. :)

Test the hardware first:

1. Reset the BIOS to factory defaults.
   
   
2. Test the RAM.
   
   Memtest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic
   http://www.memtest86.com/
   
   Windows Memory Diagnostic
   http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
   
   
3. Test the hard drive.
   
   
   
   • Fujitsu
     http://www.fujitsu.com/us/services/c...utilities.html
     
     
   • Hitachi "Drive Fitness Test"
     http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT
     
     
   • Samsung
     http://www.samsung.com/global/busine...ort_HUTIL.html
     
     
   • Seagate / Maxtor "SeaTools"
     http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup...loads/seatools
     
     
   • Toshiba
     Toshiba does not provide diagnostic tools for their hard drives.
     
     
   • Western Digital
     (Use the "Find by Model Number" on the right)
     http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en

If the computer won't boot from any bootable disk/disc, swap in a known-good power supply, then try steps 1-3 again.

If you have a Dell Dimension 8400, I suggest you open the case and check the motherboard also. Their model of this computer had a bad habit of blown caps on the motherboard. I had several in my shop that this happened to and was, at that time, repaired by Dell. I doubt they will do that now though.

Blown caps photo:

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2011/06/9.jpg