added memory, no boot--switched power supply and motherboard, still no boot

[onosideboards]

ok, i had a measely 64 MB of RAM in my Dell Dimension 4400 so i ordered some 256 from crucial about 3 weeks ago. i installed it myself and when i tried to reboot, only the fan would come on. the cd-rom drives and one other LED light flashed a couple times, but the main power button never lit up.

i called dell and we ripped apart the computer's guts. the only time i could get the power button LED to work was when there was NO memory installed, in which case I got 3 beeps at start up.

so for some reason, the Dell techie sent me a new power supply. when i got the power supply, i immediatly noticed that it was not identical to my old one. for instance, there were 2 visible screws on each side of the top. and the part that faces outside the computer was cosmetically different (though only slightly) and was not as flush with the exterior back of the tower. the techie went to check on this and came back to say that i had the correct power supply anyway. ok.

so i tried to reboot it and, from what i remember, the situation did not change at all. so, this techie sent me a new motherboard.

i installed the new motherboard with a computer geek friend. when we tried to boot it, this time absolutely NOTHING happened. no lights, no fan, no nothing. we double checked all the connections and as far as we can tell, we hooked it up right.

so, now dell is sending me a SECOND power supply.

does anyone have any ideas of why all of this started in the first place. all i was doing was installing more memory and then my computer wouldn't turn on. i should add that when we installed the new motherboard, we did include the new memory. i am POSITIVE that i have the correct memory. still, neither motherboard will work with only the old memory. besides, the power button DID light up when NO memory was in.

SOMEONE SAVE ME!!!!

[YODA74]

maybe I didn' catch this right are you saying both boards WILL work with the old memory ? But will not work with the new?
Or will not work with either memory?

The next thing I would ask is did you ground your self before messing with the memory?

3 beeps........Base 64K RAM failure

do you know which Bios you have?

did you try switching different memory bank configurations?

[onosideboards]

thanks for you reply.

no, neither board will work with either of my memory chips. That's the weird part--i took out the new memory immediately after it wouldn't boot the first time. the old board would at least activate the fan with memory installed. when NO memory was installed on the old board, the power button lit up.

but with the new board absolutely NOTHING happens no matter what i do with the memory.

yes, i was grounding myself per the procedures listed in my computer manual and the memory installation guide. however, when i told a a friend of mine who builds his own computers, he said that if i had it on the carpet as i worked inside, that would have fried the motherboard. well, ok, i did have it on the carpet but neither manuals said not to do that and besides, i made extra sure to ground myself each time i touched anything inside the computer. i admit that probably did screw something up.

anyway, when we installed the new motherboard we had it on a wood table on some towels (to protect the wood table). i really don't have anywhere else to do it and my computer-tester friend who helped me install the new motherboard said nothing about it being in a high-static area.

thanks again

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,

had a similar problem once. Bought a 256Meg Dimm for a 450 P111. After installing the 256Meg Dimm the PC exhibited exactly the same problem as what you are experiencing.

My solution - the PC cannot accept 256Meg Dimms (as per the MOBO manual). Took two older 128Megs installed these NO PROBLEMS, PC working well.

Good Luck
Andrew

[onosideboards]

that is very interesting andrew. i got the memory from crucial, whose website provides a procedure for picking out memory specifically for your system. maybe i'll try your solution but i'm about ready to give up. i have a very slow cd-rw drive and only medium-fast processor anyway so it might be time for a new computer.

i'm waiting for a new power supply and if that doesn't work, then they'll replace my tower with (probably) a refurbished one. i think then i'll sell that one and get a whole new computer. ugh!