Dell Latitude C640

Hi all can anybody on here help as Dell support dont wanna know.
I dug out my old latitude c640 for my son to use for his school work however when i press the power button the middle light (uppercase letter function enabled light) above the keyboard flashes a few times then the system powers down.
Is the system dead or is it a simple fix?

 

Try swapping the RAM modules around.

 

Thanks for your reply Namaiki however i have tryed this with no affect....

 

This might be a little silly... but what if you press down (down being towards the motherboard) on the modules while you try to boot the machine?

 

The error flash codes usually come in a sequence...from Dells support site:

Table 2. Flash Codes and Corrective Actions

Message Cause Action
1-1-3 NVRAM write/read failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
1-1-4 ROM BIOS checksum failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
1-2-1 Programmable interval timer failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
1-2-2 DMA initialization failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
1-2-3 DMA page register write/read failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
1-3-1
through
2-4-4 An installed memory module is not being properly identified or used. Make sure that a memory module is installed in one of the memory module sockets on the system board. The computer will not function unless at least one memory module is installed.
3-1-1 Slave DMA register failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
3-1-2 Master DMA register failure. Run the System Set tests in the Dell Diagnostics. If the program does not load, call Dell for technical assistance.
3-1-3 Master interrupt mask register failure. Call Dell for technical assistance.
3-1-4 Slave interrupt mask register failure. Call Dell for technical assistance.
3-2-4 Keyboard controller test failure. Run the Keyboard Controller test in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-3-4 Display memory test failure. Run the Video Memory test in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-1 Display initialization failure. Run the Video tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
3-4-2 Display retrace test failure. Run the Video tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-2-1 No timer tick. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-2 Shutdown failure. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-3 Gate A20 failure. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-2-4 Unexpected interrupt in protected mode. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-3-1 Memory failure above address 0FFFFh. Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
4-3-3 Timer chip counter 2 failure. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-3-4 Time-of-day clock stopped. Call Dell for technical assistance.
4-4-1 Serial port failure. Run the Serial/Infrared Ports tests in the Dell Diagnostics.
5-1-2 No usable memory. Run the System Memory tests in the Dell Diagnostics.

Not sure if that helps.

I would try totally unplugging the ram, then turn the machine on. The system (if its working right) will give you a RAM error (the caps lock - or first button will blink) then it will shut down. If you get the same error as before (without the RAM error) it could be a system board problem.

Also try unplugging other parts, such as, hard drive, optical, battery, etc...

 

Thanks The Star! It worked & my son is now a happy bunny!
Do you av any idea what caused this problem & if i can take steps to stop it happening again?
Many thanks again!

 

Could have been loose or something...keep your fingers crossed.