Bios Failure

I have a similar issue going on. The tread is System Lockout. Maybe we can resolve this together lol!

HeyGabe

From what you have described it sounds like the problem started after you played around with the hard drive.  If that is the case then I would go through the machine and reseat everything.  Possibly the processor, memory, an expansion card or a cable was bumped loose and is no longer making good contact.  This can prevent the machine from booting.  The link below is for an on-line version of your model's User Guide and will explain the diagnostic light codes:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dwill/Diag_ind.htm 

YYYY is usually a motherboard failure.  It means it cannot load the bios.  You might want to reseat the processor and look for the reset jumper on the motherboard to try and force it into the bios. 

So, yeah. Much thanks to all who suggested things. But nothing worked. I've fiddled with the jumper, seated and reseated things, dusted, canned aired, re-twisted all the cabeling, and I still got nothing.

Can a motherboard just die? It worked on saturday, and then on sunday it's dead. And won't come back? Don't make no sense.
I mean, I know I'm probably asking a lot of a computer built in 1998, but I still think there has to be something fixable.

Or should I just give up the board.

And on that thought, does dell sell replacement boards? I'm way out of warantee, so I don't rightly care if it's even a dell, really? Can i use just any old board? OR am I better off buying me one of them $400 jobbers and getting a bigger drive and more ram and a faster processer in the process?

Yes... motherboards can just die. It is hard to say exactly what happend. You can follow the standard No Post troubleshooting steps. Remove all pci cards and drives from the motherboard and just leave the motherboard, cpu and ram (power supply too!). See if it turns on, if not, pull the ram and then turn it back on. If you get beeps you might have a memory problem. But with the lights you have on the back I would say it is a motherboard. Now you can call Dell Spare parts and see if they have a board available. You can also check Ebay. I wouldn't know the exact price but if you get close to $300-$400 I would consider just buying a new tower. You can get a Dim2400 for like $499-$599 depending on what special they are running.

Before you declare it dead try stripping the machine down to the bare minimum to see if it will boot.  Just leave the processor, memory and graphics card in and disconnect/remove the expansion cards and drive cables.  If it will boot up the problem lies in one of those devices.  Have you tried changing the jumper on the motherboard to put the machine into maintenance mode?

Yes, a motherboard can die suddenly.  While working on it you may have accidently zapped a motherboard component with static electricity which is deadly to electronics.  Also check over all the sockets you worked with to see that none of the pins are bent or broken. 

You could check with Dell Spare parts at the number below to to see if they still have a board available.  Considering the age of the machine they may or may not have one.  You might also post a question over in the Dimension - Upgrade Hardware forum to see if a board from another Dell model will fit in your machine.  A lot of hardware gurus hang out in that forum and possibly someone will know. 

Dell Spare Parts Phone 800-372-3355 Mon thru Fri 8 to 5 CDT

In the end it might be a wiser investment to just purchase a new machine rather than stick anymore money into your present system.  Just be advised if you are considering a low end Dell system they have limited upgrade potential so ask around or check the on-line tech specifications of any model you are interested in to see if the machine will meet your needs or expectations.

 

Message Edited by Majestic on 06-25-2004 08:59 AM

Opps. ..we posted at the sametime Majestic! Sorry

No problem Allowiches.  I done the same thing many a time myself. Besides we each offer a slightly different twist in resolving the problem which is good for HeyGabe.

Message Edited by Majestic on 06-25-2004 09:08 AM