Upgraded Dell E521 with no problems

I used this forum while searching for answers on upgrade my latest project.  It was no help.  So I decided to post my research, findings, and finished product on here, in case anybody else wants to do the same desktop.

Dell E521 Service Tag: <ADMIN NOTE:Service tag removed per privacy policy> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dime521/en/index.htm

Amd Athlon X2 6000+ ADA6000IAA6CZ http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Athlon%2064%20X2%206000%2B%20-%20ADA6000IAA6CZ%20(ADA6000CZBOX).html

AMD COPPER FAN SOCKET AM2,AM3,940,939,754,940,1207 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350417881762&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Kingston Memory 4 Gb. http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/partsinfo.asp?root=&LinkBack=&ktcpartno=KVR533D2N4/1G

650 Watt Power Supply http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=400197733288&si=WIiFMDmbwcqIfTge7Dfy6BmCncA%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive SATA http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113

HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000 HDS721010KLA330 (0A34915) 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145141

2X SATA Cables One end has to be right angle http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200075&cm_re=sata_cable-_-12-200-075-_-Product

2X SATA Right Angle Power Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812339234&cm_re=sata_power_adapter-_-12-339-234-_-Product

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit

Roxio 2011

Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate

Now for the issues I had.  Dell is a pain to upgrade, just keep that in mind before attempting this.  I will not be responsible for you killing your motherboard, so pay attention.

Don't try to install everything listed above at once it will not work.

Install a single core cpu (I used the one that came with the Dell).

Install 2 Gb. or less of memory (Again I used what came with the Dell).

Install Windows XP (Home or Pro) make sure it's the 32-Bit.

The Dell Installer works on Windows XP 32-Bit, not any 64-Bit.

Upgrade the BIOS (I upgraded it from windows, using Dell's updater). http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&releaseid=R164018&SystemID=DIM_P4_E521&servicetag=&os=ww1&osl=en&deviceid=308&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=5&catid=&impid=&formatcnt=0&libid=1&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=220156  The Dell Had 1.0.3, when I got the desktop.  I tried everyone, 1.1.4, 1.1.10, and 1.1.11.  The 1.1.11 works, the others gave me problems.

Now you can install Windows 7 64-Bit (whichever one you want). Don't try to upgrade, Just do a fresh install.

Shut the desktop down, and install the AMD 6000+ CPU.

Start the desktop back up.

I used Driver Genius http://www.driver-soft.com/ for all the drivers.

After all the drivers are installed, shut the desktop down and install the rest of your memory up to 4 Gb. (Make sure your memory is 533 MHZ. any higher MHZ. will not work.

Just do the updates, install your programs and you are all set.

I used to hard drives.  The 250 Gb. was for Windows, and The 1 Tb. was for programs and files.

All the 90 Angled plugs are because you can’t fit the side cover on without them for the hard drives.

I choose that power supply for the longer cables and price.  You will have to push the two slides up into the case that hold the Dell power supply in, and I had to cut the case on the back, where the power supply fits. If you do it right you can’t tell.