Top 10 Dell Dimension 3100 PC Desktop Questions & Answers

are you SURE you connected up the power connector in addition to the SATA connector? If so, you may have hozed your drive.

download from http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ServiceTag=&SystemID=LATITUDE%20D830&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
you will stille need the operating system disc for xp or vista unless your system had a pre installed OS in which case there will be system recovery option in the computer
hope it helps!

If your computer is beeping at you, 9 times out of 10 its going to be an issue with the memory or video. (more often the memory) Try re-seating both. If your still hearing the beep fest, below is a list of the most common beeps and what they refer to. This will help you to find out what needs replacing.

Long beep followed by 3 sequential short beeps. This issue is linked to your Graphic card configurations
Short beep followed by three sequential long beeps You are facing a system memory problem
Beep- PAUSE- Beep- PAUSE- Two sequential beeps This error is linked to your CPU
Three beeps-PAUSE-Three beeps-PAUSE-Four beeps You have an issue with the video memory
Three beeps-PAUSE-Four beeps-PAUSE-Beep This is linked to an error with your Graphic Card
Four beeps-PAUSE-Three beeps-PAUSE-Beep You have a system memory problem
Five short beeps You are facing a problem with your CPU
Long constant beeps It’s a system memory problem
Short constant and high-pitched beeps The temperature of your CPU is too high

Does the system respond to boot keys (F2, F12) when the DELL logo appears? If so the problem is with Windows drivers and probably can be resolved by reinstalling or rolling back the drivers, but how? Do you have access to another keyboard? Does the system have PS/2 ports? Do you have access to a PS/2 keyboard or adapter? If boot keys work, you could also choose F8 for Last Known Good Config (XP) or System Restore (Vista).

Have you tried different ports (front if using back or visa-versa)?
Try using just keyboard or mouse to see if one has somehow shorted. Also check the ports for any sign of damage.

Easy.

1. Stand in front of the PC i.e. you face the start button.
2. Push the tab at the top back of the casing
3. Pull the right hand side cover of the casing and it should just pop open - the latches are at the bottom.

I think most people try to open the left side and wonder why the ......

GO TO BIOS SET UP VERIFY WHEATHER HARD DISK IS DETECTED OR NOT IF NOT CHANGE ID CABLE OR PLUG TO ANOTHER ID PORT ONCE GOT DETECTED TRY TO BOOT IF NOT BOOT IN SAFE MODE

Try the Vista Driver... if creative doesnt have the driver you maybe in trouble. Could force a generic driver or a similar SB driver using the Win7 preloaded drivers...have not tried but it may work...

You can found the drivers on Dell Support site for Dimension 3100 Desktop PC thru here.

If you had reinstalled your OS you may have to download Chipset first then second Software Utilities and lastly Video drivers.

and explination of that error can be found here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811270

Remove whatever USB cables in the front USB ports below the DVD. Then try starting it should work. If not remove USB from the rear one at a time. Once it restarts replace USB cables into ports.