SPACEMAN SPIFF

Dell XPS 410

Use this to try and identify what might be going on, check the diagnostic light, and beep code sections.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1056411

For some reason your computer is not POSTing. First step I do is unplug / disconnect everything from the motherboard except RAM, CPU, Video card, and Power Supply. Yes, even unplug your hard drive temporarily.
It is not required to POST.

If you have it at this point and it still isn't POSTing then one of those parts is probably defective or your MB is defective. You can try reseating all of the components if you feel comfortable doing that. If you reseat the CPU you should clean off all the Thermal compound from the CPU and Heatsink with rubbing alcohol and apply new thermal compound before mounting the Heatsink/fan back on. Sometimes reseating the components will fix the problem.


If you didn't know the POST is the Power On Self Test. Successful POST gives you one beep and then shows you the BIOS splash screen or PC information.
If you get this then reconnect the devices one by one until you find that one that is defective and replace it.

PC manufacturers usually provide POST Beep codes in the technical manual. This may tell you which part is having the problem based on the beep code.

Good luck

Asher

Thanks for the link. I was trying to find something along these lines and not doing a very good job... Error lights indicated RAM, just unhooked one of the sticks and it's working. Mother fuck.

Oh well.

Thank you all so much for the help though. Appreciate it!

RAM is one of the most inexpensive parts to replace. Be happy. :D

Asher

Just poor is all.

I think there may be some RAM lying around the house anyway though (assuming my Dad will let me steal it before I go back to school).

Thanks again

generally when i have had ram problems, sometimes switching the sticks between the banks gets them all working again. also, sometimes just pulling it out and reseating it can fix it -- might want to try that before going all frankenstein on other comps in the house :)

Did you try booting it with the duck removed?

Too late... Already swapping keyboards incestuously around because I somehow broke my Dad's by unplugging it. :(

Bad night for technology everywhere.

That RAM better work, damn it.