Dell Computer Won't Turn On

Hey guys,

I reformated my Windows XP with a clean install of Windows 7 Home yesterday. All was working well; Today I went out and bought two 1GB pieces of ram, installed them, and used my computer. Everything was working perfectly.

I went out, left my computer on (turned my monitor off). Came home later, turned my monitor off, and got a messaging about "Power Save Mode". The monitor light then went from green to orange.

I tried using a different monitor; same thing.

On the front of my Dell are the 4 diagnostic lights. When I turn the PC on, number 1 is green, but the rest are off. According to Dell, this means there is a problem with memory (RAM?). Also, note that when I press the power button to turn my computer on, and makes a 1-3-2 beep pattern.

Anybody have some suggestions?

Thanks BH'ers

EDIT: Exact same problem even when I take out the new RAM, and only leave the old RAM in.

Maybe your computer is not compatable with that RAM? I know it sounds crazy but for some some RAM just doesn't work in some computer. I bought a 2GB Kingston HyperX for my Eee netbook and it just doesn't work for that model, but works for the earlier models. But I got just the normal 2GB Kingston RAM and it works fine.

I would suggest reseating the RAM, and if it doesn't start after that, I'd put the old RAM back in, as it should recognize that.

Chronos said:

Maybe your computer is not compatable with that RAM? I know it sounds crazy but for some some RAM just doesn't work in some computer. I bought a 2GB Kingston HyperX for my Eee netbook and it just doesn't work for that model, but works for the earlier models. But I got just the normal 2GB Kingston RAM and it works fine.

I would suggest reseating the RAM, and if it doesn't start after that, I'd put the old RAM back in, as it should recognize that.

Click to expand...

Thing is, the new RAM is the exact same kind as the old RAM. I also tried just taking out the new RAM, and simply leaving in the old RAM; same problem.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080829121607AAcaEwp

Pretty much reiterates what I've already said, but I suggest pulling out, and blowing on the RAM, and RAM seat, then reseating the RAM. It sounds a bit old school, but RAM sorta works the way old Nintendo game cartridges do.

EDIT: Upon further research on the Dell website, the 1-3-2 beeping is specifcally this, "No memory installed or faulty or improperly seated DIMM"

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dtor/beep.htm

So, it's one of those three. It has to be. Since it's already worked once, It'd make sense that it's the "improperly seated" one. But that's just speculation on my end.

Did you check if the Mhz on the RAM matches your motherboard MHz? If yes, then try this:

Unplug the computer from its power source completely and then hold the Power button pressed for 30seconds. after that plug in the computer to a power source and try to power it on again.

Hope it helps.

Turn everything off, pull out the RAM chips, install them again and try again. It should be ok...

Chronos said:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080829121607AAcaEwp

Pretty much reiterates what I've already said, but I suggest pulling out, and blowing on the RAM, and RAM seat, then reseating the RAM. It sounds a bit old school, but RAM sorta works the way old Nintendo game cartridges do.

EDIT: Upon further research on the Dell website, the 1-3-2 beeping is specifcally this, "No memory installed or faulty or improperly seated DIMM"

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dtor/beep.htm

So, it's one of those three. It has to be. Since it's already worked once, It'd make sense that it's the "improperly seated" one. But that's just speculation on my end.

Click to expand...

Thanks for looking that up. I tried blowing on the RAM, putting it back in; no luck.

sippick said:

Did you check if the Mhz on the RAM matches your motherboard MHz? If yes, then try this:

Unplug the computer from its power source completely and then hold the Power button pressed for 30seconds. after that plug in the computer to a power source and try to power it on again.

Hope it helps.

Click to expand...

Just tried that; didn't work. Thanks anyways.

Ramsweb said:

Turn everything off, pull out the RAM chips, install them again and try again. It should be ok...

Click to expand...

No luck.

thedon23 said:

Hey guys,

I reformated my Windows XP with a clean install of Windows 7 Home yesterday. All was working well; Today I went out and bought two 1GB pieces of ram, installed them, and used my computer. Everything was working perfectly.

I went out, left my computer on (turned my monitor off). Came home later, turned my monitor off, and got a messaging about "Power Save Mode". The monitor light then went from green to orange.

I tried using a different monitor; same thing.

On the front of my Dell are the 4 diagnostic lights. When I turn the PC on, number 1 is green, but the rest are off. According to Dell, this means there is a problem with memory (RAM?). Also, note that when I press the power button to turn my computer on, and makes a 1-3-2 beep pattern.

Anybody have some suggestions?

Thanks BH'ers

Click to expand...

Diagnostic process:
- before installing your RAM to their docks, get a pencil eraser rub it down like erasing a pencil stroke within the brass area of the RAM where the contacs are located (at the bottom of the ram that looks like this IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII )
- check all RAM if properly placed or mounted on to its docks. tightly secure it on its docks.
- check all wire connectors if properly installed. like hard drive, etc.

If problem still there...do this
- Try removing the power source for your hard drive leave it unplugged for 5 min or so. This will reset its connection with the entire system. Refreshing everything up. This will probably work.


LoL do not blow on the RAM or its docks, and do not touch the contacts of the RAM without washing your hands. Cause this will only add up carbons to the brass contacts. Just use an eraser on the contacts and clean it with a dry cloth after using the eraser. Try the steps that is just posted.

And when you remove the RAM let it be unplugged for 5 min to reset its connection to the system as well aside from the hard drive power source.




Let me know if problem still there....

try to change the placements of the rams, so put 1 in place of 2 and vice versa.
or change pairings

Also check all BIOS settings, and as last attempt, try Clear CMOS (This can also be done through software in BIOS by Restore Default Settings

Sounds rather serious. The exact same happened here with a Dell Studio some days ago. These are the options: replace HDD, replace RAM, replace power - when all these fails, take the baby to a pro.
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You could've fried your RAM, static maybe?