Welcome to the user forums.  Lights 3 and 4 on indicate a memory failure issue.  Suggest unplugging computer, open case, then remove and reseat the memory modules. Diagnostic codes shown here: 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed / replaced from this post by Dell>

See this for removing modules: 

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed / replaced from this post by Dell>

 Let us know if this helped or not. 

I have an identical problem with an identical system.  Did you have any success .. by changing/re-installing the memory?  

We just joined the forum today (9-5-2010) and this is the first problem we have had on our Dimension E310 Desktop.

Your post  was written over a year ago... but we have just encountered what seems to be a similar problem.

Were you able to address the problem yourself? 

We saw the reply by europa303 indicating a memory failure issue. 

They requested that you let them know if their recommendations were helpful, but if you did, that feed was not posted.

Did you lose files, etc. because of it?

(We pray not... we have many precious photos which would not be replaceable.)

We haven't done anything yet... Would you be willing to share what your results were?

Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

Thanks

Vickie

We just joined the forum today (9-5-2010).

I believe we have a very similar problem.  The computer won't boot up... no monitor/mouse

Lights 3 and 4 on the tower...  a long beep, followed by 3 shorter  a pause and 2 other shorter ones

Were you able to solve your problem?  Any help you could share would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks.

Vickie

As was stated before the error code indicates a memory failure. The first question would be how comfortable would you be to opening the case and working on it? This isn't complicated but there are some precautions that you need to take in regard to static discharge etc.

Is this something you folks would be willing to try?

Welcome to the forums!!!

Jeff

No problem! As Bev said your files should be safe and sound but backups/copies are always a VERY good idea. Bev answered first because she has three hands and types much faster than I do.

As you said - just post again if and when you are ready to try to fix the problem. I say try because there is a chance that new parts will be required. We won't know that until we get into the case.

Again welcome to the forums! There are lot's of great folks here (most much smarter than I am) that love to try to help other users. And hey - you can't beat the price - FREE.

Jeff

campbellsusa

Memory failure does not cause the files and folders to be lost, as they are stored on the hard drive/s.

Files and folders are lost when the hard drive/s fail, or become corrupt, hence the reason for keeping the backups to other media current.

Bev.

Hi Jeff,

I am grateful that the forum is available to people like us.

Thanks for the quick response... and in answer to your question:

My husband said that he would be willing to do it, but not today.  It isn't urgent... but I would like for this problem to be resolved a.s.a.p.

I clicked on the links and printed out the pages about removing/installing parts... and also the pages about system lights and beep codes.

We rarely use the computer... in fact, prior to a couple of days ago, we had not tried to access it in over a year.

I asked this question before... and am anxious about the answer:

Does the "memory failure"... cause us to lose our files? 

I would really be sick if that was the case.

My husband and I were missionaries to Russia, and in the last 2 years spent 9 months in Montana.

We have countless files and photos there... most of them backed up on CDs, but not the last couple of years.

If we have questions once Chuck decides to look into it, I'll make another post.  

Thank you again, Jeff.

VC

 thisisjustincase

Congratulations, please to hear the issue was resolved.  :emotion-21:

Bev.