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Dimension 4100 project
Just starting and trying to bring it back to life. It hasn't run for a few years. I bought a replacement motherboard way back so there's a possible problem. Have not taken anything apart. But first this question....it came with Win ME...was upgraded to XP. I've heard it won't go to Win 10 but is there anything more recent than XP which will work? I'm ok with XP but just wondering. Thanks.
I have the original packing slip.
Mary G
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May 4th, 2016 09:00
First thing (and possibly the only thing) to do is replace the bios battery on the board. A cheap fix since battery costs $2-- cr2032. Fire it up and see if it works. If it doesn't or even if it does--send it to the recycle bin. This is an obsolete model that cannot run anything nowadays. XP is unsafe and should not be on an Internet connected computer. You could infect your home network.
rdunnill
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May 4th, 2016 14:00
It might run Windows 7, but I'm not sure.
shesagordie
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May 4th, 2016 20:00
Regards to running Win 7, forget it, the Dimension 4100 only supports maximum 512MB of SDRAM memory and Socket 370 (FC-PGA) Pentium 3 Coppermine processors.
It barely ran XP.
Bev.
speedstep
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May 6th, 2016 09:00
LCD or CRT VGA monitors work on ANY machine with at least a VGA card all the way back to 1981 computers aka IBM PC.
You won't want to use an LCD older than XGA however aka 1024 x 768.
VGA and SVGA aka 640 x 480 and 800 x 600 is not good enough for most all modern os aka Windows XP, VISTA, 7, 8, 10.
shesagordie
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May 6th, 2016 10:00
Brian222
Yes, I've used LCD monitors with the Dell L Series Desktops, that are the same age as the 4100, without any issues, using either the VGA port, or a discrete PCI graphics card.
Bev.
speedstep
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May 6th, 2016 10:00
Best results for a 4100 will be windows XP max and Geforce 6200 AGP card. The cards that dell shipped are passive with no fan to fail.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GeForce-6200A-128MB-AGP-Graphics-Card-VGA-DVI-and-TV-OUT-/222098123370
Brian222
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May 6th, 2016 07:00
thanks for all replies. Have decided to stick with this project. Never been inside a computer. Lots to learn and I have time and patience. I'll start with a new battery (done) and a cleanup....1/2 inch of dust in places. Then give it a try and see what happens. Now have owners manual. If I may I'd like to ask basic questions...such as the monitor.Don't have one yet. CRT or LCD...does it matter?
Steve Bevan
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May 6th, 2016 07:00
Hi, i think you can run Windows 7 on this PC. But it will require more disc space for installation and more Ram memory for better performance. Check your PC's specifications first.
speedstep
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May 6th, 2016 07:00
Dimension 4100 is a modified INTEL motherboard with PROPRIETARY power supply.
You CANNOT USE THE power supply from this unit on another board it will blow up and catch fire.
You CANNOT USE any power supply other than DELL 9228C or a special STARTECH replacement.
You can buy a DELL Specific Power supply from Startech to replace the 9228C unit which is 200W.
http://ca.startech.com/media/products/ATXPW300DELL/PDFs/ATXPW300DELL_Datasheet.pdf
ATXPW300DELL This is the ONLY model that works.
The 300 Watt ATX12V 2.01 Dell PC Power Supply is compatible with standard ATX style versions of following: Dimension Series Models: 2100 / 4100 / B1000R / L Series / V350 / V400 / XPS B Series / XPS Dxxx / XPS Mxxx / XPS P133c MT / XPS Pro 180n / XPS Rxxx / XPS Txxx Optiplex Series Models: GN / GN+ / G1 / GX1 / GX1p / GX100 / GX110 / GX115 / GX300 / Gxa / Gxi Power Edge Series Models: 2100 / 2200 Precision Workstation Series Models: 210 / 400
No other supply will work.
You will damage your system beyond repair otherwise.
The motherboard is a modified Seattle Motherboard aka
Intel SE440BX-2
If you change to an INTEL board you MUST REPLACE the power supply.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/17782/Intel-SE440BX2-Motherboard
Brian222
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May 6th, 2016 09:00
I'm not quite at the motherboard/power supply stage yet but I will come back to these posts if needed.
Just to repeat my earlier question...is LCD monitor ok with the 4100?
Thanks for your time.
shesagordie
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May 6th, 2016 10:00
Steve Bevan
You cannot run Windows 7 on the Dimension 4100, because Win 7 requires a minimum of1 gigabyte of RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit).
Check my last post, the 4100 only supports a maximum of 512 MB of RAM.
The 815e chipset on the 4100 motherboard is limited to 512 MB's of RAM, there is no way around this.
ftp.dell.com/.../dimension-4100_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf
Bev.
speedstep
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May 6th, 2016 10:00
The only other modern OS that WILL RUN on this machine is UBUNTU 12.04 LTS
ubuntu-12.04.5-dvd-i386.iso
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/12.04/release/
Brian222
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May 9th, 2016 18:00
first power-up and no green light. There is a power-like sound and the lower fan comes on. No lights at the back. No lights on the keyboard. Monitor shows life but not getting to the Dell icon. Forced power-off. CD drawer works.Both power cords ok. Don't want to give up yet. Thanks.
Brian222
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May 22nd, 2016 08:00
update..
it's working.
installed new motherboard. Still have old one which MIGHT be ok. Anyone wants it email me. I will pack and ship if you pay shipping.
installed 2 new ram...now 512. Still have old ones that gave me 256...same deal as above.
installed new to me Pent 3.
also got new keyboard/mouse...both working fine.
so far just under $100 invested
now waiting on new $5 wireless card
disconnected floppy...could not get around Invalid Boot Diskette in A:
running Win XP Pro
lights on the back working
still no green light on the front. Could it be burned out bulb?
both fans working
shesagordie
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May 22nd, 2016 19:00
Brian222
Congratulations.
Bev.