Dimension e310

Konishii

First, open the case and check that the chipset heatsink is still firmly attached to the motherboard.

The e310 Service Manual is HERE

Check the power button LED, is it solid green, blinking green, solid amber, blinking amber and the reading of Diagnostic Lights on the front panel, see HERE 

and report back.

 Bev.

Konishii

A silly question, there are two heatsinks, the large processor heatsink under the plastic shroud and the one to check was the small chipset heatsink attached to the motherboard with a Z wire clip.

Are the diagnostic lights lite?

Bev.

Bev

The chipset heatsink is firm.
the power button light is solid green, but the light inside on the motherboard above the 3v battery is amber/yellow solid.

Bev

darn, well i saw it there but i didn't think about checking it.
It appears to be firm (the heatsink) But, i tried moving it with just a tad bit of force and it does twist, it's not very firm.

if you mean are the lights dim, the power light is strong i think, but i never saw it when it worked so it could be dim.

if thats not what you meant then sorry
what should i do about the loose heatsink?

Thanks.

Konishii

Providing the wire Z clip is anchored to the motherboard, then heatsink is fine.

As you will see from reading the link I posted, there are four green diagnostic lights labeled 1-2-3-4, that can help troubleshoot problems.

 After the computer starts successfully, all four lights turn off.

If the computer malfunctions, the color and sequence of the lights can help to identify the problem.

When the PC starts, are there any 'Beeps'?

Bev.

one beep, and lights 3 & 4 are on.


Sorry it took me so long to respond, had to do some things last night.

I feel real stupid now, i should have read the entire page's you gave me sorry.

im going to try the memory thing and report back.

Ok, i removed both memory sticks and tried each of them in different slots, and when i tried booting it gave me a different checkpoint name where it is halted.
"WRIT"
And the lights 3 & 4 are still on,  and it still beeps once.

Thanks again!

Bev

First off thanks for all your help.

secondly, i tried everything with the memory and it would only give me a different checkpoint where the boot halts.

i found compatible memory, but i cannot find a motherboard.

Does dell still sell replacement mother boards for the e310?
i couldn't find one on the sites i normally visit for hardware.

Thanks again.

Konishii

Is it the original memory being used in the e310?

Did you tried the following:

Remove all the memory modules, then install only one module in slot 1, then see if the system boots and if the computer starts normally, reinstall the additional module.

Does not boot, move the module to slot 2 and again see if the system boots.

Does not boot, remove the first module and using the second one, repeat the sequence described above.

Still does not boot, buy a new compatible memory module and try that.

Then if the computer still does not start, it's possible that the motherboard has failed and needs to be replaced.

Bev.

Bev

Well, no I'm not sure.

I'll browse around for some refurbished ones i guess.

Especially since i cant be sure what all my friend could have done to this, I'd hate to get the mother board and need new everything else.

Thanks allot for all your help, I learned a few things.

Konishii

Yep, I know that 'feeling' only too well.

Forget to include in my previous post, you could call Dell Spare Parts HERE, about the E310 motherboard, but all their parts are also, labeled 'refurbished', with a 90 day warranty

Go HERE  for a E310 motherboard from Dell.

Bev.

Konishii

Try HERE, but as it's obsolete PC, you will probably receive either a refurbished, or used motherboard.

Are you certain you want to rebuild the e310, it could end up as a 'money pit', especially as newer Dell refurbished PC can be purchased for $300+- with a one year warranty.

Bev.