PC/Monitor problem

[kahle]

I have an old Dell (Dimension 4400) that I'm trying to give my son to surf the internet. However, the PC won't connect to a monitor so I tried 2 monitors and different cables. I then bought a new video card (PNY AGP 6200 256mb GeForce card). No luck. The A and B lights on the back are orange (C & D are green) so I assume something's not working, but can't tell what.

Any advice before I chuck it and buy a new PC?

Here are the specs on my Dell

1 4K249 Processor, 80531, 1.6GB, 0, 400FSBSocket N, D0
1 3K113 Dual Inline Memory Module, 256, 266M, 32X64M8K, 184
1 3K595 Card, Graphics, 64MB, NV11, TELEVISION OUTPUT..., 2nd
1 3J670 Hard Drive, 40G, IDE (INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS) ..., HALF HEIGHT..., 7.2K, 40G/P, SEAGATE SNOWMASS...

Thanks

[flaco]

I should ask what is the os?another thing what happens when you turn it on?
Does it have and old power supply with a setting in the back colored red?

[kahle]

Flaco

Thanks for your help.

The OS is XP
When I turn it on it beeps 3x and appears to stay on
The power supply is the original and it does have a setting on the back in red that says "115v".

Thanks again

[flaco]

well you told us that you tried 2 different monitors correct?I didn't work.You bought a new video card still didnt work?

These tells me that the thing that's messed up is the power supply.
By time the power supply always goes bad,you told me that that you have the factory power supply well try buying a new power supply.Sometimes although that it seems to work the power supply it not sending the correct power to make anything in your pc work correctly.

another thing lets hope is not the monitor you bought or the video card although you bought them new.Try using the new video card in another computer.

I hope these helps you if you need more help let me know

Good luck

[Sylvander]

1. Getting 3 beeps means the POST has started [a good sign], the POST has then continued running, and testing, and there has been a failure of some test which generates 3 beeps, and the POST halts.
When the POST halts that early [at a RAM test failure (see below)], you won't get any initialization of the video card, and therefore no output signal from the card, and therefore no image on screen generated by a signal from the card.

2. What make of BIOS?
AMI BIOS beep codes [and others] shown here. (http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm#04)
Notice that 3-beeps [by an AMI BIOS] indicates a "Base 64K RAM failure".
Try reseating the RAM, and possibly cleaning the connecting pins [and socket] with cleaning alcohol.
Have the RAM tested if that doesn't produce a fix.

[flaco]

ah yes sorry forgot about the ram thing

[flaco]

These guy should be ban in sight