Same Problem - 7 Beeps then nothing

Question

Have the same problem as everyone else. Don't see how the thread can be shown as "answered" if Dell hasn't recalled all the defective laptops.

Maybe someone from Dell will assist me in getting my PC repaired.LOL. Purchased in Nov 2011 and now it's bricked -- says something about the quality of the products Dell sales.

Philip_Yip · Answer

There is no posts so its hard to know what you are talking about and hard to advise without knowing what your system is however 7 beeps indicates processor failure.

Code	Description	Suggested Remedy
1	BIOS ROM checksum in progress or failure	System board failure; covers BIOS corruption or ROM error
2	No memory modules detected	If you have two or more memory modules installed, remove the modules, reinstall one module, and then restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without error. If available, install a good memory module of the same type into the computer.
3	Chipset error (North and Southbridge chipset, DMA/IMR/Timer Error for Intel® platform); chipset error	System board failure. Power LED is Blinking Amber or Blinking White.
	Time-Of-Day Clock test failure
	Gate A20 failure
	Super I/O chip failure
	Keyboard controller test failure
4	RAM read/write failure	Ensure no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist. Verify the memory modules you are installing are compatible with the computer.
5	Real time clock failure. Possible battery failure or system board failure.	Replace the battery.
6	Video BIOS test failure	Video card failure
7	CPU cache test failure	Processor failure

bgbt3nk · Answer

Have Dell Inspiron M5030 laptop.  Suddenly it started emitting 7 beeps without booting.  Research indicates, as does your reply, that this is a CPU/motherboard issue.  Laptop is out of warranty but only 2 years old.  Should have given me more service than that.  Service Tag No. is: <ADMIN NOTE: Service tag removed per privacy policy>. Any assistance will be appreciated.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Okay its an AMD Processor which are generally cheaper but I find them usually less reliable than Intel. You have a few options:

1. Phone Dell Technical Support, likely they won't help you until you pay for out of warranty support. Then you will be charged for the actual replacement of the CPU. This is probably not going to be a cost effective solution and you should tally up all the costs with the support agent before proceeding.

2. Attempt repairs yourself. To do this you should examine the Service Manual: http://downloads.dell.com/Pages/Manuals/inspiron-15-n5030.html which will instruct you how to remove the processor.

There is also a video here which will help you:

You will need thermal paste and a new processor (although you could at first try to reseat your old one).

From here the processor is a 2.3-GHz AMD Athlon II P360:

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/dell-inspiron-15-m5030.aspx

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/dell-inspiron-m5030-15/4505-3121_7-35033932.html

The response from parts-people in the video comments is that the unit can use: AMD Turion II X2 P520 (2.3Ghz), 2 MB Cache AMD Athlon II X2 P320 (2.1Ghz), 1 MB Cache AMD Sempron V120 (2.2Ghz), 512 KB Cache.

These can be found here and here for relatively cheap:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XAMD+Athlon+II+P360&_nkw=AMD+Athlon+II+P360&_sacat=0&_from=R40

http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=category&id=141&subid=329&refine=cpu+processor

Thermal paste from here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Silver-Artic-Thermo-Syringe/dp/B000OGX5AM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387909641&sr=8-1&keywords=thermal+paste

Again its not guaranteed to work as it could also be a motherboard problem however it does seem to be a common issue solved with CPU replacement. If you can get the CPU for cheap, I would say its worth the try.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Same Problem - 7 Beeps then nothing

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