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66721
January 22nd, 2011 14:00
Inspiron 530 CPU upgrade.
Hi all. I have a stock Inspiron 530 (not a 530a/b/c/d, etc.) running Vista Home Premium, board model 0RY007. BIOS is 1.0.3 (that seems... hopelessly out of date, but what do I know?). Previous research told me I couldn't upgrade to a quad core with this motherboard, but a dual core is fine for my gaming needs. I settled on a Pentium E6500 2.93 GHz dual core processor as it seemed like a modest upgrade that would realistically work in a 3-year old machine.
When I boot up, I get the black screen, green progress bar with the copyright Microsoft line at the bottom. It won't go past that screen. When I reboot, the comp enters recovery mode, but then also freezes. I reinstalled the old single core processor, it reentered recovery mode, this time successfully, and I did a system restore to a week ago. That's where I am now. Machine is running fine with the old processor (I also upgraded the RAM and that appears to be fine too), so I'm left wondering if this new processor is compatible with my old Inspiron. Any help/advice would be appreciated, thanks!
-Jimmy
shesagordie
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January 22nd, 2011 15:00
jimmycolorado
Before installing the processor, update the BIOS to Version 1.0.15, or higher, when support for new Intel CPU's was added and see if that makes a difference.
Also, please post the sSpec number of the e6500 processor.
Bev.
jimmycolorado
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January 22nd, 2011 15:00
Thanks for the reply! I'll try to update the BIOS next, but honestly I'm a layperson and don't really know how to do that. I've found the download on the Dell site though. The sSpec number for the E6500 is SLGUH (at least, that's what is says on the box under "S-spec:" haha).
jimmycolorado
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January 22nd, 2011 16:00
Alright, total victory. I installed the old fan, as I can't get this new one plugged in, used some thermal paste just in case. Machine booted right up, I ran Belarc Advisor, and it's telling me I'm running a 2.93 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core. Thanks for all the help, Bev. And yeah, if using the old fan isn't the right call, I'd like to know! Then again, I'll probably get the hint when the machine starts smoking... But there has to be an easier way to install that screwless/peg-thing and I'm just doing it wrong. Thanks again!
jimmycolorado
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January 22nd, 2011 16:00
Ok, updated to BIOS 1.0.15 (I didn't need to make a boot disk or boot flash dive: the update I downloaded from Dell appeared to update it. Is this correct? Everywhere I've read about "how to update your BIOS" involved boot disks and making partitions and nonsense like that).
Before I install the new dual core processor and fire it up, one minor question: the new processor came with a CPU fan/heatsink. My old one screwed in using attached phillips head screws. This new fan has these weird plastic spikes that are like, "injected" into where the screw holes are. It lines up properly and everything, but there doesn't seem to be an easy way to install this fan, unless I'm doing something wrong. The directions say to push the spike/pins into the screw holes, but they aren't budging, and I don't want to snap my motherboard, haha! Is there any danger in using my old fan? Thanks again for helping out.
shesagordie
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January 22nd, 2011 16:00
jimmycolorado
The installation instructions are on the BIOS download page, it may help if you print a copy, to use as a reference.
A Hint, Don't use Dell's Download Manager, use the 'Download via your browser' option instead.
Bev.
shesagordie
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January 22nd, 2011 17:00
jimmycolorado
You are welcome. :emotion-21:
That's great, please to hear the upgrade was successful.
The default Dell processor heatsink and fan will work fine, the Intel heatsink, as you found out, does not fit the Dell motherboard retention bracket.
Bev.
rdunnill
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January 22nd, 2011 19:00
Remove the plastic push-pins from the new heat sink and attach the fan with spring-dampened screws like the ones in this kit.
I did that with my Studio 540s and Vostro 220s.
xtecmain
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July 10th, 2015 17:00
the 530 cab run quad core I have been running a q6600 cpu for years using the same fan
the system came that way
also the 530 will q9650
the other boards can't like 530b I don't know about 530a or 530c
you have to check the cpu voltage on the board why dell did this I don't know but that is the only the one can change voltage and the other can't
check here for boards: downloads.dell.com/.../inspiron-530_Owner%27s%20Manual_en-us.pdf
shesagordie
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July 10th, 2015 19:00
This thread has been locked due to it's age, if you have a similar issue, please use the 'New Post' feature at the top of this page and start a new thread.
Bev.