flove101
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Blank Screen at Computer Startup (no mouse or keyboard either) Fans and HD run.
When I plug my computer in and hit the tower power button, the fans and the hard drive fire up, but nothing happens on the screen (it's blank) and the monitor's power led flashes yellow on and off. The usb wireless mouse receiver doesn't light up nor does my (wired) keyboard num, caps, and scroll lock light up. What is going on?
I have tried switching monitors as well as confirming that the monitor connector is firmly attached. When I detach the monitor, the 'check signal box' comes up on the screen.
I have a Dell Dimension B100
I just returned from vacation and my computer worked fine when I left.
I hope you all can help.
Fred
I have tried switching monitors as well as confirming that the monitor connector is firmly attached. When I detach the monitor, the 'check signal box' comes up on the screen.
I have a Dell Dimension B100
I just returned from vacation and my computer worked fine when I left.
I hope you all can help.
Fred
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Does the hard drive light show activity like the drive is booting up?
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Wow. I'm telling you what. Your help is definately worth the premium fee. Let's see if I can clarify a few things.
mjcoyne - No bios beeps on startup. Strange thing was that the tower was unplugged the duration my trip but my monitor was plugged in. There was a storm while I was away (machines at work went offline due to thunderstorm). I have taken the cover off and the CPU fan is running.
mjcoyne - No bios beeps on startup. Strange thing was that the tower was unplugged the duration my trip but my monitor was plugged in. There was a storm while I was away (machines at work went offline due to thunderstorm). I have taken the cover off and the CPU fan is running.
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Callandor:
I was amazed to see how much dust was inside. They weren't classified as bunnies, but perhaps small dogs. I guess a trip to wally world for the compressed air is in order.
It all worked for months before. It doesn't seem like a compatibility issue on the hardware end would be the culprit. I do think that something could have gone bad over the break.
I was amazed to see how much dust was inside. They weren't classified as bunnies, but perhaps small dogs. I guess a trip to wally world for the compressed air is in order.
It all worked for months before. It doesn't seem like a compatibility issue on the hardware end would be the culprit. I do think that something could have gone bad over the break.
ASKER
ClickCentric:
I can hear the drive start and the light flashes indicating activity.
I can hear the drive start and the light flashes indicating activity.
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ClickCentric:
Update: The light only flashes once when I first start it. I don't know if that's of signifcance.
Update: The light only flashes once when I first start it. I don't know if that's of signifcance.
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I am out of warranty. Hey ClickCentric, thanks for the super fast response.
I'm just trying to make it down the line of solutions...
I'm just trying to make it down the line of solutions...
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Jamietoner:
A and B are Orange and C and D are Green.
A and B are Orange and C and D are Green.
ASKER
UPDATE::::
I found the diagnostic codes for dell (via post) and it says that there is a memory failure. The solution to that is to remove one and see if it will work. I'm going to give that a go.
I found the diagnostic codes for dell (via post) and it says that there is a memory failure. The solution to that is to remove one and see if it will work. I'm going to give that a go.
just post the results of try 1 stick of ram at a time, sounds like 1 of the sticks maybe bad
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UPDATE 2 !!!!
Well, Long story short, I blew out the dust and removed the ram and tried the different combos ( my ram comes in pairs) and got the bios beeps and basically put the ram in exactly the way it was in the first place, and it worked.
I'd be interested in knowing why I had to take out and reseat the ram for it to work....
Well, Long story short, I blew out the dust and removed the ram and tried the different combos ( my ram comes in pairs) and got the bios beeps and basically put the ram in exactly the way it was in the first place, and it worked.
I'd be interested in knowing why I had to take out and reseat the ram for it to work....
Excellent, flove101 -- congratulations. Quite a little detective story, huh?
>I'd be interested in knowing why I had to take out and reseat the ram for it to work....
Oxidation on the contacts, perhaps? Thermal expansion/shrinkage and loss of conductivity?
Oxidation on the contacts, perhaps? Thermal expansion/shrinkage and loss of conductivity?
Dust can wreak havoc if it's made of something conductive. Many times simply taking memory out, blowing it off and putting it back in has been the solution to a problem. For techs researching such a problem in which there wasn't a clear indication of cause, usually the first step would be to disassemble the system, clean it and put it back together. You'd be amazed how often that alone resolves problems.
I have seen this happen before on Dell computers twice where they wouldn't boot and I just reseated everything and they booted.
I have also had one time when I replaced a motherboard and it started beeping at me. Reseating the memory fixed this.
I have also had one time when I replaced a motherboard and it started beeping at me. Reseating the memory fixed this.