This post is more than 5 years old
2 Posts
0
174017
Dell Dimension 2350 Desktop Heatsink Problem,Help!
I own a Dell Dimension 2350.Well it isn't mine but will be since I am the only in my family who cares to see what's wrong with it.I posted pictures so you(the tech) can get an idea of where I think the problem is located.I think it has something to do with overheating.What happens when I go to turn the tower on,it starts up,starts loading icons & programs on the desktop,then all sudden as it's refreshing & loading up,you hear this slow down in the motor whatever and all sudden it just fades to black & shuts down.It's acting as if it overheated.It won't go past loading the desktop icons.In the pics,you will see this little slightly heavy,metal/silver cube that looks like a mini cooler.Next to it are these 2 hinges that look like they are supposed to be intact to the cube but they weren't when I opened the tower,they were hanging loosely so I think this is where the problem is.This is all I can figure out though.It looks like the silver cube has an imprint on 1 side as if it was glued somehow to the inside of this tower but it won't stay on anymore & I don't know if it was just glued?Either way,I think this is the problem.I want to know simply can it be fixed easily & is it worth it?Can I fix this or do I have to have somebody do it?How much is the part(if any needed) in stores & I guess that's it.Any help is appreciated,thanks!Dell Live Chat Tech said it isn't worth fixing with heatsink compound and & new plastic bracket but just to buy a whole new heatsink part # M0665.What do I do?I'd rather not purchase anything but if it isn't too much,I will look into it.:emotion-5: Thx All :emotion-48:
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
May 15th, 2009 23:00
femalefpsfan
Happy to have helped.
The following directions may be useful.
Both the base of the heatsink and the top of the processor should be cleaned and then reapply the thermal compound, see these Application Instructions.
How to remove and replace the processor
Bev.
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
May 15th, 2009 22:00
femalefpsfan
You can buy a Dimension 2350 replacement heatsink retention bracket for $4.99 from HERE
A small tube of thermal compound for the heatsink can be purchased from most local computer stores.
Bev.
femalefpsfan
2 Posts
0
May 15th, 2009 23:00
Thank you so very much Bev!I will look for those tommorrow,thanks!:emotion-1:
Mumbly Joe
1 Message
0
June 1st, 2009 15:00
I had the same problem on the same model Dell. I just replaced the retention module, cleaned the heatsink and reapplied the new thermal paste. Its still dying at start up. Is there a suggested wait period before trying to start again?
mlure
14 Posts
0
June 15th, 2009 18:00
I, too, have the exact problem with the exact same system, which belongs to a friend who asked for help. System would slowly boot to desktop but responded to no mouse clicks. Nor would it book to safe mode. When opened I found a couple of tiny plastic pieces on the floor of the case. When I removed the green case-fan cover the metal heatsink clips fell off. Found broken heatsink retention brackets. I see they cost little to replace, but HOW do you know if the processor has fried? She has run the computer with the heatsink loose, and a bit of dirt was under the heatsink. Why would the bracket break? No one has been inside this computer (apparently as it was pretty dusty in there). Could it have just broken by itself? Sorry so many questions. Thank you for reading.
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
June 15th, 2009 19:00
mlure
Normally when a processor starts to overheat, the system will shutdown and give a 'Thermal' error message.
Regards to the processor being fried, the only way to find out, is either to reinstall it and see if the PC boots, or try it in a working desktop that has a Socket 478.
Broken retention brackets seems to be an ongoing problem with Dimension 2350 PC's.
Bev.
mlure
14 Posts
0
June 15th, 2009 19:00
Well that's good to know about the error message. I think she would have told me if she'd seen it. Hopefully it's not fried. You answered another question I had: determining the type of processor, so thank you for mentioning its a Socket 478. I wont be trying it in a working system, that's alot of trouble. I'll order the part from the place you linked and hope for the best. I'm also buying Artic 5 compound and going read your "how to" links.
Thank you very very much for your quick informative response Bev. Very impressive. I've always rejected working on someone's computer when it sounded like processor problems because I'm ignorant in that respect. Time to learn and looking forward to it.
thanks again
karen (mlure)
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
June 15th, 2009 20:00
Karen.
Happy to have helped and hoping everything goes well. :emotion-11:
If you have any problems with the repair, just post back.
Bev.
mlure
14 Posts
0
June 28th, 2009 23:00
Bev
I certainly thank you for the help and the application link. Couldnt find the Artic Silver locally, had to order it. Applied it and replaced the heatsink and parts and its running just fine. Cooler, I think, than my own old Dell which is a 2400. The owner has been running it all day for days and no complaints.
Your help was exactly what I needed.
thanks again
karen
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
June 29th, 2009 10:00
Karen.
Thank you for the heads up. :emotion-1:
Bev,
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
July 9th, 2009 13:00
credmann15
You can buy a pair of 2350 Heatsink Retainer Clips, from either HERE, or HERE
Bev.
credmann15
3 Posts
0
July 9th, 2009 13:00
Umm yes shesagordie you seem like the one who is helping everyine here so maybe you can help me yet again. Well first off ty for the link to the retention module as mine broke lol. Next i kinda didnt know the clamps were important so i threw one away and then i realized i needed them so do you know anywhere i can get a new clamp id buy 2 if thats how it comes only. ty ty
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
July 9th, 2009 14:00
credmann15
Happy to have helped.
Bev.
credmann15
3 Posts
0
July 9th, 2009 14:00
tyvm
RebootITNow
5 Posts
0
November 21st, 2011 07:00
Thanks, Bev, for all your responses to the many great questions in this discussion. I have a client still using a Dell Dimension 2350 and the plastic bracket just broke and one of the clips came out, when I tipped it over to replace the fan. I'm glad to see it wasn't any physical damage caused by me. I replaced the fan and purchased/received the black plastic bracket on Friday. Today, I'm going to attempt replacing the bracket and heatsink and clips. I did not buy any paste, so I hope there is a pad there, or enough to hang on for a little longer. I am planning to move her to a slightly newer machine in the near future.
Thanks again!
- Elizabeth (Reboot IT Now, LLC.)