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16 Posts
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15096
April 2nd, 2008 15:00
Dimension 4300 mystery
Hi,
My Dimension 4300 does not boot.
I originally had a SL5VH (1.6Ghz/256/400/1.75V) on a 3E851 Motherboard.
1. I replace the CPU with a SL7EY (1.6Ghz/256/400/1.475V-1.55V)
Reboot the machine but I got a steady yellow light at the front of the computer and no light at the back.
I call Dell and they told me the motherboard was dead because the 3E851 motherboard does not support 2.0Ghz and above CPU due to voltage difference of the CPU and advise me to buy a 9J455 motherboard wich is to be used with 2.0Ghz and above CPU.
2. I replace the Motherboard with a 9J455 Motherboard and the SL7EY CPU but I still get a steady yellow light at the front of the computer and no light at the back!
I call dell ones more and they told me it could be the CPU or the Power supply! And suggested me to buy a new computer!
Does anyone have some ideas?
When booting the computer without CPU, Ram, and all other perifericals, should I get a yellow light at the front and no light at the back? or does that mean there is a power failure?
The Power fan goes on has well as the cooling fan and the light on the motherboard is yellow.
Thank you for your time.
Benur
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 17:00
I wouldn't expect the wrong CPU to destroy the motherboard. You can always put the original back in to see if the motherboard is working or not.
Sounds like the CPU is not compatible, but I'm not up on the details of those boards and CPUs. Sometimes you need a BIOS update, but in your case, it sounds more severe than that.
Normally, a power failure is indicated by flashing amber power light. Constant amber indicates a motherboard problem of some type. It sounds appropriate for no CPU. Diagnostic lights on the back can only light when the CPU is running (they indicate that the POST is running).
Sorry, I can't add more than that.
Peter
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 18:00
OK, just for "fun" I pulled the CPU out of an old D3000 and applied the power. No lights of any kind. It appeared to be totally dead. I was a bit surprised. Put the CPU back in and everything worked fine.
Peter
Benur
16 Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 18:00
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your time.
I am a bit reluctant to put the original CPU because the new motherboard does not support CPU below 2.0Ghz. I don't want to damage a new motherboard.
Lets recap:
Constant amber light mean motherboard faillure
No diagnostic lights on the back mean CPU faillure
I do not understand why I have the same problem with both CPU and both motherboard.
If you turn on a Dell computer on without CPU, would the power light be constand amber?
Benur
PETER345
5.8K Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 18:00
Are you saying that no motherboard/CPU combination ever worked?
No diagnostics lights mean the POST never started which requires the CPU. So no CPU mean no diagnostic lights. No diagnostic lights doesn't mean the CPU is missing or dead (i.e. you could have a motherboard problem and not a CPU problem).
Never tried to power up a machine with no CPU, so I can't tell you if the power light will always be amber.
Peter
Benur
16 Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 18:00
shesagordie
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46K Posts
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April 2nd, 2008 19:00
Not certain if this helps.
Checkout the discussion on 4300 processor upgrades here
Did you update the 4300 BIOS to the latest version, before installing the new processor?
Bev.
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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.
Benur
16 Posts
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April 3rd, 2008 16:00
Hi,
CPU:
SL5VH 1.6Ghz/256/400/1.75V (original)
SL7EY 2.8Ghz/256/400/1.475V-1.55V (new)
Motherboard:
3E851 I can't find the specifications (original)
9J455 I can't find the specifications (new)
If I try to put some logic into it, there is 3 senario possible:
When I start the computer without the CPU, I still get the amber power light, unlike you.
And yes, I have updated the Bios before changing the CPU.
It would really help if I could find out which processors the 3E851 and 9J455 motherboard support.
Before upgrading the CPU, I have read the forum, but no one have mentioned that Dell 4300 have different type of motherboard which support different CPU speed. I have learned from dell technical support that 3E851 does not support 2.0Ghz and above speed. The 9J455 seems to support 2.0Ghz and above only.
I am now wondering if the SL7EY is supported at all.
Any idea?
Thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate.
Benur