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Black screen on desktop computer.

  • 05-11-2011 1:21pm
    #1
    Monkey09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭


    Hi,
    I have a problem with my desk top. The computer loads up but then goes straight to a black screen. It doesn't give me any options or anything. Also, the tower is making a series of little beaps. Does anyone have any advice as to what might be wrong? And is there anything that I can do to fix it.
    Thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Monkey09 wrote: »
    Hi,
    I have a problem with my desk top. The computer loads up but then goes straight to a black screen. It doesn't give me any options or anything. Also, the tower is making a series of little beaps. Does anyone have any advice as to what might be wrong? And is there anything that I can do to fix it.
    Thanks in advance.

    Fault with some piece of hardware, use This to help diagnose. RAM is commonly the problem, try reseating/booting off with just one stick/the other etc...

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #3
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    Could be an issue with the profile.. Boot to Safe Mode and see if the desktop is the same.. Or try to log in as a different user if one exists.


  • #4
    allthedoyles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,893 ✭✭✭allthedoyles


    If you have the original recovery disk , it may solve the problem .

    Best to re-install again.

    As said above , into safe-mode by hitting F8 continuously and go to last know good configuration


  • #5
    Monkey09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Monkey09


    yoyo wrote: »
    Fault with some piece of hardware, use This to help diagnose. RAM is commonly the problem, try reseating/booting off with just one stick/the other etc...

    Nick
    JonathanAnon wrote: »
    Could be an issue with the profile.. Boot to Safe Mode and see if the desktop is the same.. Or try to log in as a different user if one exists.
    allthedoyles wrote: »
    If you have the original recovery disk , it may solve the problem .

    Best to re-install again.

    As said above , into safe-mode by hitting F8 continuously and go to last know good configuration


    Thanks for the responses everyone. Unfortunately I haven't managed to solve the problem. When I turn on the computer, the screen is completely black. I am unable to click into any other user. Also, I tried to go to safe mode by pressing F8 continuously but nothing happened, the screen remained blank...

    The number 3 and 4 are lit up on the tower of the computer but the little beeps have stopped.

    Is there any other way of starting the computer in safe mode?

    I know this is not looking good, but I'd really appreciate any advice.

    Thanks again!


  • #6
    brianwalshcork
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 611 ✭✭✭brianwalshcork


    Monkey09 wrote: »
    The number 3 and 4 are lit up on the tower of the computer but the little beeps have stopped.

    Is this a Dell?

    If so, the users manual has info on decoding the lights, and will help pin point which component is faulty.

    What model is it?

    Brian


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  • #7
    noodletop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 209 ✭✭noodletop


    By any chance is it a dell c521.
    Had same issue with one few weks ago and the lights are graphics error on motherboard had to replace the thing and unfortunatly replacent dell mo/bos are quite expensive.


  • #8
    Monkey09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 366 ✭✭Monkey09


    brianwalshcork wrote: »
    Is this a Dell?

    If so, the users manual has info on decoding the lights, and will help pin point which component is faulty.

    What model is it?

    Brian

    Hi Brian,
    Yes, it's a DELL Dimension 9100

    It looks like the problem is RAM failure and system timer failure...

    I'm not sure how bad that is...

    I'm starting to lose of hope of being able to fix this one myself. :(


  • #9
    brianwalshcork
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 611 ✭✭✭brianwalshcork


    Hi Monkey 09,

    Here's the user manual for the diagnostic lights on your computer:
    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9100/en/SM/adtshoot.htm#wp1054184

    When 3 & 4 are lit, then the erorr is:
    "Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred."

    and the troubleshooting adivice given is:
    If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module (see "Memory"), and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error.
    If available, install properly working memory of the same type into your computer (see "Memory").
    If the problem persists, contact Dell.



    How many DIMMS are installed in your computer, 2 or 4?

    YoYo, above, advised testing the DIMMS one by one, but you need to install the DIMMS in pairs in your computer, so unless you have 4 DIMMS installed you can't really troublshoot that way.
    If you do have 4 DIMMs, then you could try them in pairs until you can find the defective DIMM.

    If you don't have 4 DIMMs, and assuming the system is out of warranty, your next step would have to be getting your hands on some extra DIMMS.
    At this stage, I wouldn't bother trying to find the defective memory.... if you only have 2 GB of RAM installed as 2x 1 GB DIMMS, then upgrading to 4 GB will give your system a bit of a boost.
    2x 2 GB kits (so a total of 4x 1 GB DIMMS) can be got from crucial for just over €50.
    http://www.crucial.com/eu/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension%209100&Cat=RAM
    You might be able to find cheaper memory.

    Alternatively, depending on what you currently have installed, you could just purchase a single 512MB dimm or a single 1 GB DIMM and use that to determine which one of your existing DIMMs is defective.

    Brian
    Brian


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