dimension 4100 -error beep codes: does anyone know what it means

one LONG, three short

I went below but it doesn't say long or short...

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dzuul/codemess.htm#post_beep_codes

 

It's better to take a look at the back of the case where you should be able
to see 4 led's in a row.

Make a note of what color each of them are, and look that combination up in
the same document you posted a link to.

 

like was suggested look on the back of the case for the 4 lights labeled
abcd. they may be off or yellow or green. i suspect you will see yellow
green yellow green (abcd). if so, re-seat the video card. by the way, 1
long one short on other bios' also refers to video card problems.

 

Thanks. As you can tell, this is an old computer. Those lights are not
working for some reason.

 

Thanks. Like in my reply above, those lights are not operational.

This has one long and3 short - what would that mean?

Also, I upgraded to xp home and when I F8 I get a frozen DOS text menu.
Can't go to Safe Mode; SO, I tried to "reinstall" XP Home, but if fails
on the video.sys which would suggest what you said about the video -
only I have 3 short after 1 long

Agian, thanks.

 

i typo'd in my previous reply. meant three beeps when i said one. in ami
bios one long followed by three short is a video error. remove and replace
the video card.
but the abcd leds are more helpful in diagnosing a problem. watch them from
power on to failure to see if they report any codes. when you first boot a
system they should change many times before a successful boot. also, you
can just try to reseat everything (processor, memory, video card, pci cards)
and you can remove any usb devices which may be causing a boot problem. and
try disconnecting the hard drive and boot from cd or floppy to help you
identify the problem.

 

Shoot, should I reply above or below with this group.

Thanks. That helps very much. What you says goes with the video.sys
error I get with reloading xp.

 

Either bad ram or bad video. Those are the choices.

I'd put my money on ram. Always try reaseating before replacing (easier
on pocketbook).

 

I'm surprised he's getting no diag LED's in back if either of those have
failed - unless the failure is due to a power event.

 

I don't like it either, But the fact that it IS beeping at all is
encourging. Lots of people are red-green colorblind, and can't easily
see the green and yellow LEDs.