Speed demon's PC efuses to start

:help: Please excuse my ignorance as I am a complete numpty :stupid: when it comes to computers, my expertise lies in the automotive dept. I have resolved problem with my computer on several occassions with the help of the boffins that spend their time in cyber land and been very appreciative of the help received. The problem I have this time is very simple to discribe, when I turn my DELL Dimension 3100c (I know it's an old lump so no comments on this please) on it makes a bleep bleep bleep sound and the numbers 3 & 4 become light up! the monitor remains blank. As it is located in a coldish corner of a room and had not been used for several weeks I had the inkling it could be cold / slightly damp so removed the side cover and warmed the interior up and it sparked up no problem :) . The issue now is that I need to do this every time I want to go on line :eek: So does any boffin out there have any idea what the issue coold be ! Is it worth getting it repaired ? do computers have a moisture/temperature sensor ?

I acknowledge this may seem like a DIMWIT :o question but as I stated earlier I am more at home up to my elbows in oil or grease or ripping up the tarmac in a Caterham 7, so show a little pity and :help: me get back on line before the boss catches me on line :whip:

The SPEED DEMON needs your help !

It may be that it isn't all that happy being all that cold, can you not move it to a warmer corner/room ?

It is indicating a memory fault. Remove one of the dimms and boot the machine with 1 dimm, if it boots then remove that dimm and insert the other dimm to see if it is faulty. The fault might magically disappear when the dimms have been reseated.

Ok, so we have a potential solution :) :clapping: the next question for one of you wiz kids is w.t.f. are DIMMS ? Pardon my French :o

Speed Demon

RAM sticks, they look something like this:
http://picom.priceindia.in/computer/...10/ddr-ram.png

As said, remove one, if it still doesn't start, insert the first and remove the second. That said, if it only has one stick of RAM, you may need to look up a replacement somewhere.

If nothing happens, the problem may be elsewhere. Maybe check for some blown capacitors on the motherboard? They may look like this (they not necessarily may be gooey, but have a bulging top):
http://www.thorschrock.com/wp-conten...blown-caps.jpg

Top Man Mr Queelis ! Will give this a try tonight once I escape from this slave pit !

Speed Demon

I'll be surprised if it's bulging caps, usually a CPU error is indicated when they've popped but certainly worth checcking while you are in there.

Speed Demon, I obviously over estimated your capabilities :)
To remove the DIMMs you need to push the little levers at the side of the DIMMs to get them to pop out, reinsertion requires you to line up the notch correctly, push the top of the DIMM until it clicks into place (your DIMMs will probably only have 1 notch as oppossed to the 2 shown in the picture below).
http://capita.wustl.edu/CAPITA/Peopl...l/system-6.gif

Yes when it come to computers my experience is limited :o but alway willing to learn and have a go :p

Will let you know how the Demon gots on tomorrow, thanks once again

Do note that Dell have full documentation on their website for computers past and present, with easy to follow instructions for things like RAM replacement (where the above picture comes from).

:clapping: The Speed Demon removes his hat to a collection of chaps with vastly superior computing knowledge :iloveyou: . I removed the second DIMM board and my PC fired up in a flash !!!! :) :rockon: but would like answers to the following if anybody has the time to reply.

1] What is the purpose of these boards ?
2] Do I need to replace it if I only use my pc primarily for the web, odd letter and photographs
3] Where do I get a replacement if required and is it an expensive part.

Once again thanks chaps

Regards

The Speed Demon

If in doubt, flat out !

Did you try refitting the DIMM to see if it would magically now work?

Do you know how much memory is in your computer? (click on 'start' 'control panel' and then you will then have to EITHER : click on 'performance and maintenance' and then 'system' or just double click on 'system') This will then tell you how much memory you have.

If you have at least 512Mb (or thereabouts) you will be fine. If it says 256 or 128 then you need to get more memory or your machine will run like a dog.

I'm pretty sure your machine uses DDR2 memory which is fairly cheap, a new 512Mb stick is £14 and a 1Gb stick is £19 http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/list...ension%203100#

Hi, Thanks Killie99 it is a 512mb machine but for that cost I might as well replace it. This little thread has saved me a pocket full of cash not having to stick it into a shop for repair and would like to thank all concerned, I use several forums from time to time but this one has the best responce times by far ! unsure how to add to the thanked list, if I did I would be addint to it right now.

Cheers from the Speed Demon

It's all about having the courage to take the lid off/bonnet up and have a poke around. You were most of the way there already.

to make sure you get the correct memory go here http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.aspx and click on the 'scan my system' button. It'll download a tool onto your computer and then give you a list of all compatible memory. Crucial are a great company, order today and you will most likely receive it tomorrow.
To give 'thanks' just click on the little pink 'thanks' hand in the bottom right of any post, not sure if you need a minimum number of posts before you get access to that though.