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

[f1wade]

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

[SpywareDr]

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.

[photolady]

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: