Memory beeping problem.....

[thespeakerbox]

I got this dell 4600c i just cant get to boot right. When it starts up, i get the LED reading A -green B,C,D - Yellow, which is the memory problem of the ram not being detected or not working. I get the equivalent beep code. 1-3-2, which is also memory. I replaced both sticks of 184pin 2700 with some ram out of antoher pc, and i still get the beeps and no boot. Ive alread tried ever dimm memory combo out there for the two slots. Can anyone offer me any advice or help in fixing this problem?

 

[thespeakerbox]

bump

 

[Silversierra]

Has it ever worked for you? You might try cleaning the dimm slot(compressed air or something). Other than that, maybe the boards blown.

 

[knothead34]

what exactly is the ram you tried out of another pc?

 

[thespeakerbox]

I think i pulled the same 2700, but ill double check. Does it matter? I thought any 184 pin would work.

Supposed everything goes south and its a fried board. I can just buy any micro atx board to replace it , right?

 

[thespeakerbox]

bump

 

[cobo]

I think you'd have better luck asking at the Dell forums (General Hardware -- Upgrade Hardware )

Is this memory that was working in the 4600c that suddenly won't boot?
Have you tried booting with 1 stick at a time?
If the memory hasn't been used with the 4600c before and it's CL 2 that may be why it doesn't work - some brands will and some won't.

The question about changing out the motherboard has been answered there in various posts. Their search function is unavailable for the moment, but from what I recall:

~ The front panel connector is propietary but there are links to pics and wiring diagrams for it at a couple of websites, so you could work out an adaptation for the connections.

~ The motherboard mounting to the tray is different than standard, but it can be adapted to a standard microATX mount.

~ The OS is tied to the motherboard so you'll have to ask MicroSoft to validate it (or whatever the proper term for it is) which they have done for some and not for others.

 

[thespeakerbox]

I could still pull the processor out and use it ,right?

How would i know what type it is? I cant find anything on the dell site except for the chipset type. I would like to drop the p4 into a new Sff

 

[FlyingPenguin]

I think i pulled the same 2700, but ill double check. Does it matter? I thought any 184 pin would work.

Dell's are VERY fussy about memory.

 

[cobo]

You could re-use the processor, but you'd have to get a new heatsink. The Dell heatsink only fits into a Dell motherboard retaining clip. It won't fit into a standard clip on a non-Dell motherboard.

You could buy a Dell Dim8300 motherboard for just under $100 on ebay or from one or two sites that you can find using search at Dell forums. You could also call Dell Parts and get their price on one.

Their should be a couple of service tag stickers on the case. Enter the service tag number on the Original System Configuration page to find out what CPU that particular machine was built with. I guess if you remove the heatsink the cpu would be marked as well.

Here's a link to the 4600C Service Manual.

 

[cobo]

After looking at the technical overviews for both systems I'm not so sure the Dim8300 motherboard would fit in the 4600c case - I was thinking of the 4600.

 

[thespeakerbox]

Yea, i dont think it will fit in the case either. I wanted to just get an SFF or HTPC barebone and make myself a little media pc. You think i should buy the motherboard for the 4600c and fix it or revamp the whole thing .

 

[cobo]

You're sure its the motherboard then? Did you try the Dell ram in another computer to rule it out as the problem? Dells are fussy about ram if they don't have standard oem timing tables in the SPD chip, so that could be the cause of the replacement sticks not working.

I geuss you should just cost out the different options and decide which is worth it for what you get. It would probably be less trouble to re-use some of the Dell components in a new box than to fit a non-Dell motherboard in the 4600c case.