garkarp

Please post the computer model and the version of windows, that is installed.

Bev.

I'm running Vista on a XPS 710

 garkarp

 Is the power button LED, is it blinking green, solid green?

What is the sequence of the four diagnostic lights on the front panel?

Are there any 'Beeps', or error messages?

The XPS 710 Diagnostic Guide and Troubleshooter, is HERE

Bev.

Number 1 light blinks once. Number 2 light is off. Number 3 & 4 lights are steady green. No beeps. The amount of time between when I press the start button and the computer stops running, is about 2 seconds

garkarp,
The 3 and 4 diagnostic lights pattern indicates memory modules are detected but a memory failure has occurred. Try following the suggested resolution steps at the link Bev included in her last post to see if that fixes the issue.

OK. I removed all 4 memory. Hit the start button. Number 1 lit green. 2 nothing. 3 & 4 blinked green and went off. Then there was a 1,3,2 beep while the computer stayed running.

You need to install two of the memory modules in slots 1 and 2 (as DDR2 memory modules are meant to be installed in pairs of matched memory size and speed) then power the computer on and see if anything changes.

 garkarp

DDR2 RAM will work with only one module installed, but at a reduced speed.

Remove all the memory modules, then install only one module in slot 1 and see if the system boots and if the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module.

Does not boot, move the module to slot 2 and again see if the system boots, no boot, try the module in slot 3, no boot, try installing in slot 4.

Still does not boot, then remove the first module and using the second one, repeat the sequence described above.

Still no boot, try installing any remaining modules, one at a time, using the above procedure.

Continue until you have identified any faulty module [or slot] or reinstalled all modules without error.

Bev.

Installed memory in number 1 & 2 slots. Pressed the start button and got my original problem. Number 1 blinked. Number 2 nothing. Number 3 & 4 stayed green. No beeps. Video card fan spun and everything went off within 2 seconds.

On my third memory stick in the fourth slot the computer started. 1,3,2 beeps No video. Turned off computer tried the fourth stick, nothing. Retried the third stick in the fourth slot. Nothing