having some serious cpu issues
 

Alright, jokers, riddle me this:

I bought a Dell Dimension 4600 w/ P4 2.8 ghz, 800 mhz FSB, 256 MB RAM (I know, I know, I have a Dell, that's my first problem).

So about three or four weeks ago, I started up the computer and it wouldn't boot up. It powered up, and I could hear the fan blowing, but there's no signal to monitor, no power to peripherals (mouse, keyboard, USB wireless adapter, mem card reader).

Forced a shut down and tried to boot up maybe 5 or 6 more times. Finally it booted up as normal and worked fine.

Next time it wouldn't start up. Or the next time. Or the time after that.

The thing is, if I leave the computer in the stalled power-on mode for 5 or so minutes, it will boot itself up.

The Dell diagnostic lights in the rear say it's a memory problem. I ordered new RAM (which should be here, uh, yesterday), but I don't think that's the problem.

The motherboard power light is on, so it's being powered. Someone suggested that the board or the processor might be fried, but why would the computer work then? Is that possible?

My built-in network adapter, however, does NOT work. It shows both lights (green and orange), but does not pick up signals from my cable modem. I ran Time Warner's set-up CD and the diag program says it can't pick up a connection.

What's going on here? Is my computer totally fucked? I don't think any critical parts are broken, otherwise the effin' thing wouldn't start up.

Someone please spare me of my troubles!

-bn

Re: having some serious cpu issues
 

Hmmm... a long shot.. and I've drunk a bit :beer: so take it for what it's worth! .... If your ethernet adapter really seems to be hosed, try turning it off in the BIOS menus and see what happens. If it supports Wake-On-LAN and it's messed up I suppose it's remotely possible something's going on....

Oh, and call Dell and tell them to send you a new computer.

Oh, and why do think it's not a memory problem?

should find everything you need to solve your problems here.

-sm

Veeerrrrry funny ...

I should go back to Macs. Loved them ... from a IIe, to a Classic, to a Performa, to one of the early Power Macs (7100, I think).

I really wanted a G3 Cube, but I couldn't get my hands on one before they discontinued them.

But you're not helping my situation. Go sit in the corner. :P

Re: having some serious cpu issues
 

That motherboard light reports little that is useful. LED may be powered, but not enough to permit computer to boot. That LED is only from one power supply - not the one that would power rest of computer (since a PSU is really two separate power supplies).

Without readings that provide numbers, then you don't know if the PSU is working. If PSU is marginal, then everything else can appear intermittent or failed - including memory.

You are wildly speculating instead of seeking irrefutible facts. Were Dell comprehensive hardware diagnostics executed? What is reported in the system's event logs. Until voltage measurements are taken on DC power outputs, then you have no idea if the PSU is completely good or completely defective. A defective (intermittent) supply can make anything else appear to be failed.

Further information was posted previously in:
Let's play "what part is failing?"

In the meantime, this would be a new system - completely covered by warranty. Why are you fixing it?

Pay $30 for a new power supply, if that doesn't solve your problem (it very well might), call Dell, if they give you crap..accept it, they are Dell and will do things there way damnit.

If all else fails turn to the cellar, we don't know shit about your problem but we will try to help.

Failing that..it sucks when your PC breaks down...just like it sucks when your car won't start. I'm not trying to be a hardass here, but those are the facts of life.

If its just flakey, or just old, buy a new one. If you're not tech savvy, get the 3 year warranty. Yes it is a scam, but where are you now without it?

And FWIW Dell actually makes pretty good PCs. Sorry you had bad luck with yours. Who you gonna turn to, Compaq? Whoop, HP bought em out.

I've been in IT for about 15 years, built myself a new one every few years. Broke down last year and bought an Averatec/Sotec laptop dirt cheap. Thing rocks, XP PRO installed,,,first pc I ever had that isn't failing on me semi-regularily. Keyboard is a little weak but I paid half for it.

2 cents, I feel your pain...try a new PS, then assess your sit, get the bastards from Dell on the phone, ream em, talk em into the mother of all upgrades because you're a loyal customer.

Re: Re: having some serious cpu issues
 

Yep. Put er back in the box and send er home.

Re: Re: having some serious cpu issues
 

Because I have faith in my ability to uncover whatever silliness is going on inside my box, and fix it for a relatively small cost, as opposed to lugging that fucker to a shipping store and having to wait 8 years for either a repaired or new unit to come back. Keep in mind I'm in NYC and I don't have the original box - and there aren't many shipping places near my apartment.

I bought the CPU for $425 - if the repairs go above $150-200, I may just can the piece of shit and buy something else.

And tw, I haven't run the diag yet - I just found the CD two days ago, but I haven't been able to get my computer booted up (even off the CD).

I just came here to try and get some ideas of what exactly is happening. I'm not an idiot and I understand how a computer works, but when it comes to the more complex stuff, give me a few minutes to catch up. :D

Does sound to me like something on your mobo is severly screwed.

Hmm ...

I did run the Time Warner install CD the other day, and the config test showed two alarming things:

a) no network connection was present (both with cable modem plugged into network and USB)

b) processor was reading at 275 mHz

Didn't notice a slow-down in performance though. Could those problems signal something wrong with a mobo connection?

It sounds like something has literally blown, I've seen it before. The fact that both the lights are on on the network connector suggests it's utterly borked.

What speed is the bios saying?
What about windows? Type dxdiag in the run command.

Haven't been able to get to BIOS because generally to get the computer booted up, I have to leave it in the stalled power-on state for at least 5 minutes before it cranks up. And by then I'm usually too late to catch the start-up screen.

Unless there's a way to access BIOS in DOS?

Not that I'm aware of, you might just have to wait for 5 minutes and catch it.

Put a book on the DEL key.

Hey, is it always exactly 5 minutes? If so that is VERY suspicious and I would imagine that the BIOS is timing out on something. Maybe it wants to boot from the network and is waiting for a network adapter that isn't ready or some weird thing like that.

Yeah, that's kinda what I was thinking in suggesting disabling the onboard network.

But call Dell.... hold their feet to the fire.