Confusing beep codes--dead PC

Question

Hi!

My saga started several days ago when my Dell Dimension e520 refused to boot up after restart. All I got and continue to get is a black screen on the monitor. I've tried various fixes from various forums, including reseating the RAM, switching the RAM around, putting the RAM in 1 stick at a time, and removing the battery from the motherboard. After returning the battery and trying to boot again, I now get 2 beeps and diagnostic lights 123. The power light is a steady green. When I first plug the computer back in, lights briefly flash and the fan spins for a couple of seconds. At one point, I was able to access my hard drive on a laptop hooked into our home network, but now I'm not able to do that. Which, when I think of it, makes sense. At first the HD light on the front was blinking weakly and now it's dark.

Other things I've tried: All cables have been pulled and firmly reseated; I bought a cheapo fan, unhooked everything from the power supply, plugged in the fan and got a nice breeze, so I know it's not the power supply; unplugged everything from the power supply and plugged things in 1 at a time--didn't seem to tell me anything except put the RAM and graphics card back in. I have not tried another graphics card as all friends and family so far all have integrated cards or AGP instead of PCI--I'm still looking, though. The diagnostic disk does no good because nothing inside the case seems to be doing anything.

Back to the title of this thread--a friend who has been helping me and I can't make sense of the 2 short beeps I get as Dell beep codes are supposed to be a series of three. I'm hoping someone here can tell me what this means, if anything, so I know which way to go from here. I fear it's the motherboard, which really ticks me off as I bought this less than 2 years ago. From what I can tell, if it is the mobo, I might as well start shopping for a new PC.

Thanks for reading and for any advice!

Davet50 · Accepted Answer

The size make no difference and because it is smaller it may be better.

there can be many factors as to how both sticks could go.
I would suggest you do take a good look at the capacitors on the motherboard looking for any that show signs of leaking or bulging tops.

Davet50 · Answer

Lights 123,,, the Dreaded 'Another Failue has Occured' I am leaning at the moment harddrive as a possible suspect. *** try this. remove everthing from the computer, ram cards, and pull the power from all the drives. Remove all external connection too and power it up. look at the powerbutton light, the diagnostic lights, If there is no change then the motherboard is gone.

Davet50 · Answer

With all removed you saw the beep code and diagnostic code for no ram modules being detected. What indication do you get with all the ram removed and all else installed?

danamz · Answer

Firstly, thanks for responding to my post.

Okay, there was a change when I pulled everything. First I got light 1 and beep code 1-3-2. I added the following one at a time: one stick of RAM in slot 1, the graphics card, power to the hard drive, then power to the CD/DVD drive. After adding the RAM it went back to the original 123 and 2 beeps, and it stayed the same through each addition. One thing I noted this time that I hadn't the other times is that the HD light comes on briefly while the diagnostic lights are flashing. So, what do you think? My head has been swimming so much with trying to figure this out that I'm incapable at this point of analyzing what this means. I can't tell you how much I appreciate any input. If this thing is truly dead I want it declared as such so I can move on.

danamz · Answer

With all RAM removed and everything else plugged in, I again get light 1 and beep code 1-3-2.

Davet50 · Answer

I would suspect the memory at this time. one or both could be bad. You can try putting one stick in slot 1 and see if it boots, then remove that stick and instert the next. If neither work then they both are probably gone.

If there were other issues besides the memory you would get a different sequence of lights and beeps

danamz · Answer

I pulled stick 1 and put in stick 2, and at first I got lights 34 and 1-3-2 beep code, but after reseating it, it went back to lights 123 with 2 beeps. I'm going to try to find someone with the same type of RAM who will let me try theirs in my machine. If it doesn't have the same capacity as mine (1G each), will that make a difference in determining if my RAM is bad? (I know Vista won't run well with less, but I'm just looking for a firm diagnosis before I run out to buy new RAM.) And just out curiosity and for future reference, if both sticks of RAM spontaneously went bad, what could cause this?

Again, thanks for the help.

danamz · Answer

I really can't thank you enough for taking the time to help me.  You're my hero. :emotion-2: Have a great day!

Davet50 · Answer

Looks like a new board will run you in the 250+ price range. No there is really not much one can do to prevent this and it is just a fact of electronics. chances are if there is one there might be more that are ready to go too.

It might just be a time to salvage what you can and upgrade to a new system.

danamz · Answer

OMG, you so hit the nail on the head. I have one bulged capacitor. So, is that it? Declare time of death and move on to a new computer? Or what about a repair? From my research, it doesn't sound like it's worth it to replace the motherboard, but I haven't priced out a repair. Is there some way I could have avoided this or was it just bad luck?

Thank you!

Davet50 · Answer

You are most welcome.

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Confusing beep codes--dead PC

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