Dimension 4700 Hard drive and memory upgrade help needed

Question

After doing a search and not being able to find the answers I needed, I picked up a new hard drive and memory to upgrade instead of buying a new computer. Here is what I have:

Dimension 4700 with Pentium 4 520 (2.8GHZ), HT, INT SNDNICV

40GB SATA 7200RPM (OLD DRIVE) Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA 7200RPM (NEW HARD DRIVE)

512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHZ - 2X256MB, DIM (OLD MEMORY) PNY 2GB DDR2 PC2 400MHZ (NEW MEMORY)

OS Windows XP Home SP2 (RE-INSTALLATION DISC)

I ended up going the route of a new HD and memory upgrade due to a virus that wiped out my old HD (resulting in blue screen issues I don't know how to fix) so I decided to essentially start from scratch.

What I was hoping to find out, is how I go about loading the OS and drivers to essentially have a new computer. I will be downloading all the drivers from here onto a new 8GB flash drive. I have already installed the new HD (according to the Seagate manual I added a jumper to the new HD for 1.5 GB/sec unless this motherboard doesn't support 3GB/sec?) and memory and when I powered up, all I get is a long series of tones and nothing showing on my screen. So, with the help of some master compter gurus here, I will be off enjoying my computer and enabling my wife to resume surfing the internet on her desktop.

Thanks

shesagordie · Answer

arcosmo

Remove the new PNY 2gb memory and only use the 'default' 2 x 256mb and see if that makes a difference.

The 4700 only supports a maximum of 1gb per slot. See HERE

The directions for reinstalling XP are HERE

After installing XP, the drivers and applications need to be installed in the correct order. See HERE

Bev.

arcosmo · Answer

Thanks Bev!

While waiting for a reply, I cycled the power again and everything went OK. I didn't partition the hard drive at all since I didn't know how how many partitions or how much in each partition. The OS installed without a hitch and instead of loading all the other drivers and DSL software so I could go to Windows for an update, I just downloaded SP3 onto a flash drive and installed it straight up, also without a hitch. I did print off the above linked order of driver install sheet and am currently intalling the drivers. The only issue I am currently having is that I don't know what video chipset my computer has in order to install the video drivers. Can you tell me how I go about finding this information?

THANKS AGAIN!!!!

(BTW, I do have the DELL build sheet to reference.)

arcosmo · Answer

Well, everything was going brautifully...until...I started installing the 35 Windows XP updates that come AFTER SP3. I got them all downloaded and installed (including the update or IE to version 8) and it promps me to restart to effect the changes. So...I did. That is when it all came apart. I ended up getting the dreaded blue screen just like what prompted me to do the HD & memory upgrade. I'm lost now. I have no idea how to determine what needs to be changed for Windows to boot back up properly. Here, once again, is what the screen shows:

A prpblem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop Error Screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to be sure you have adequate disc space. If a driver is identified in the stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.

Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

*** Stop: 0x0000007e (0xc0000005, 0x00000000, oxBACC30c0, 0xBACC2DBC)

I have no idea what to do now. Can someone please help me.

Thanks in advance!!!

shesagordie · Answer

arcosmo I did find Microsoft articles on the error HERE and HERE that seems to indicate a possible memory problem, they might be worth a read. Bev.

arcosmo · Answer

Thanks for the links Bev. I read through all of those and Googled some more. I have decided to just start over by reinstalling Windows XP again. I have the printout that pertains to the order in which I should install the drivers and such, but it doesn't say when or if to install the updated BIOS. Should I do this first of follow the 1-10 order and then install it last?

Thanks again!

shesagordie · Answer

arcosmo

What is the reason for upgrading the BIOS?

Have you checked the BIOS version that's installed in the 4700, the latest version is A10?

I would wait until XP is fully installed and running to your satisfaction.

Bev.

shesagordie · Answer

arcosmo

Please edit your post and delete the service tag, it's a violation of Dell's T of S, to include it a post and unless it's removed Dell will delete the post. :emotion-5:

You only need to install the latest version of the drivers specific to your PC, but it is important to install then in the right order.

Bev.

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Dimension 4700 Hard drive and memory upgrade help needed

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