dell vostro 220 board fails to initialize

[paulf]

when I went to use my comp tonight, instead of the usual blue power light, I had an amber light and I could nopt turn on the computer.  ZIn the instructionj manual, such as it is, it tells me that an amber light means that the board is failing to initialize.  Is there something that I can do here, or is an expert required?
Thanks

[Transfusion]

is an expert required?

No.
You will save a lot on those "experts" if you learn how to self-troubleshoot... And we'll gladly help you!

Try resetting your BIOS as a first step:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdp_L5IxaNI

If that doesn't work, try booting with just the essentials: 1 stick of RAM (Alternate RAM slots with each of the RAM modules to test), the CPU, nothing plugged into the PCI/PCIe expansion ports, and onboard graphics. Disconnect the hard drive.