My computer won't boot. When turning on - i see the dell screen - and then a series of fast beeps. Computer then shows F2/F12 option but will not respond to it and then goes black.

Looked up the beep codes - and tried a few suggestions

a) removed ram - - now 3 long beeps - still won't boot
b) unplugged/replug/reset all cards/ram, internal components - - same as a)

As I can't even get into setup menu to have it boot from a CD or something, I'm at a loss to troubleshoot.

Any ideas on the cause?

What is the model & # of the Dell?

Did this just happen all of a sudden? Was this computer working OK before?

Does the computer have both onboard graphics as well as a card? Or no card?*

Try booting with just one stick of RAM in the first slot; the CPU; & graphics card.

Remove everything else.

*If you have onboard graphics then also remove the graphics card.

It was one of my dimension 2400's. Only about a year old.

I tried disconnecting every item inside the box (ie/hard drive power, hard drive data) removed the ram, reinsterted ram, disconnect everything.. still the same

Looked up the beep codes and finally called dell.

Turns out it was the keyboard port. He suggested buying a USB keyboard and trying it that way (out of warrantee for dell to fix). So I did this and now the beeping has changed to a few 2/4/2 and then it boots.

In the long term - I would have to replace the port -Yes it was all of a sudden.

No graphic card (integrated)

THanks so much for your response though....

Sharon

Originally Posted by jephree

What is the model & # of the Dell?

Did this just happen all of a sudden? Was this computer working OK before?

Does the computer have both onboard graphics as well as a card? Or no card?*

Try booting with just one stick of RAM in the first slot; the CPU; & graphics card.

Remove everything else.

*If you have onboard graphics then also remove the graphics card.