The Hell of owning a DELL - Help?

[HAVOC]

Ok. There is a company that makes PSU's for Dells. It's called PC Power and Cooling. www.pcpowerandcooling.com

The reason you need a special PSU for a DELL CASE is because they us a softpower switch - and the case chassis don't have a open slot for the PSU on/off switch. So PCP&C made one for dells without a switch.
I've already taken this PSU out of the Dell and tried it in another PC. So i know it works. So i'll be fine with that PSU.

As far as sticks go, I have 4 (512MB) sticks. I've tried them all in endless combinations. Nothing works.

The online Live chat wth Dell, sucks too. Just from my experience.
I still haven't fixed it yet. I'm still trying. I might just bite the bullet and order a new MOBO, CASE, HDD & OS - Then later when I build my monster PC, i can probably sell this one or convert it to a server or may-be a media center PC.

I hate Dell... Just My Opinion....

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

Most dell's do however need Dell specific power supply's havoc, I think yours is one of the few that didnt.

Its time to buy new stuff, you dont have to buy a new HD though.

 

[HAVOC]

Most dell's do however need Dell specific power supply's havoc, I think yours is one of the few that didnt.

Its time to buy new stuff, you dont have to buy a new HD though.

I've talked to the Dell Online Chat Live and we have narrowed it down to a bad Northbridge. Which requires a new "Dell MOBO for 8300's" No freakin' way am i buying another dell anything.

So I hit up newegg.com and ordered:
Thermaltake SHARK VA7000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower
ASUS P4P800-E DELUXE Socket 478 Intel 865PE ATX Intel
Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM

Total = $575.00 after a 40.00 rebate & $20.00 rebate.

Yeah, I didn't have to buy a new HDD, but it will be much easier and i can use it later/december in my monster build. I will also be using the case and OS. This MOBO and my current P4 i'll use in a server or a media center PC. Which will also be built at a later time.

All in all it's not that bad. I just have to wait until monday when my shipment arrives.

I hate computers!!! lol

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

Well I have a propisistion to make, I shall send you a PM.

 

[HAVOC]

Well I have a propisistion to make, I shall send you a PM.

I read your PM and tried to reply, but it seems that your INBOX is full..
LOL...

Thanks for your PM.

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

I empty'ed

 

[HAVOC]

I empty'ed

PM sent.

 

[HAVOC]

LOL - Here is my Dell Chat Online with a Dell Tech support guy.

Welcome to Dell Chat. Please wait for an available agent. You will be notified when your chat is accepted by an agent.
The session has been accepted.

{hemanth_s 8:50:18 PM} Thank you for contacting Dell Desktop Hardware Chat Support. My name is Hemanth . May I have your complete name , telephone number and E-Mail address as on the records, please ?

{ 8:50:59 PM} REMOVED TO PROTECT ME - LOL
{hemanth_s 8:51:14 PM} Thank you for all the information. Please give me a moment to review your question & check your system details.
{ 8:51:23 PM} ok.
{hemanth_s 8:52:04 PM} How may I help you today?
{ 8:52:31 PM} Well, as I posted. I'm having BIOS beep codes during POST
{ 8:53:15 PM} Last night the system froze, requiring a hard reboot.
{ 8:53:39 PM} At boot, I received BIOS beep code.
{ 8:53:53 PM} 1-long / 2-long / 3-long
{ 8:54:09 PM} A,B Yellow & C,D Green
{hemanth_s 8:54:23 PM} Ok
{ 8:54:26 PM} which refers to a memory issue or DMA issue.
{hemanth_s 8:54:36 PM} Are you comfortable opening the system tower ?
{hemanth_s 8:54:57 PM} Yes , That's correct . Did you reseat the memory on the computer ?
{ 8:55:01 PM} Yes, i'm A+ certified
{hemanth_s 8:55:12 PM} Ok
{ 8:55:29 PM} Yes, i currently have 4 (512mb)
DDR400
{ 8:55:43 PM} I took 3 out and left 1 in dimm slot 1
{ 8:55:52 PM} tried to reboot.
{ 8:55:57 PM} same beep codes
{ 8:56:10 PM} then i tried all of the 4 modules
{ 8:56:14 PM} same codes
{ 8:56:28 PM} the bios i believe to be Award A07
{hemanth_s 8:56:53 PM} Did you try on all the 4 different slots ?
{ 8:57:00 PM} yes
{ 8:57:04 PM} all 4
{ 8:57:15 PM} every possible combination
{hemanth_s 8:57:23 PM} Ok
{ 8:58:05 PM} I've also installed these same modules in a PC here at work and ran MEMTEST86 on them
{ 8:58:18 PM} They all passed with no errors reported
{ 8:59:19 PM} I've check my videocard, PSU, audio card, and processor, IDE drives as well as SATA drives in another PC and they all work fine.
{hemanth_s 8:59:22 PM} Does the memory work on a different system ?
{ 8:59:32 PM} yeah
{ 9:00:04 PM} I believe that this issue might be directly related to the Northbridge.
{ 9:00:56 PM} My memory is detected but can be read and also no i/o devices are being communicated with.
{hemanth_s 9:01:14 PM} Well , In that case , You will have to replace the motherboard.
{ 9:01:41 PM} Yes, I know. But, with another Dell Dimension 8300 MOBO?
{ 9:02:00 PM} Which i'm sure isn't under warranty?
{hemanth_s 9:02:40 PM} Unfortunately , Yes
{ 9:02:51 PM} What's the cost of that motherboard?
{hemanth_s 9:02:55 PM} I will give you the part number .
{ 9:03:00 PM} ok.
{hemanth_s 9:04:11 PM} W2562 : Part number for Motherboard .
{ 9:04:48 PM} If i do purchase the motherboard, will i be required to do a fresh format and reinstall of windows XP pro?
{ 9:04:59 PM} Is it the same motherboard and drivers?
{ 9:05:40 PM} And will my OEM Dell XP PRO recover / installation disk work with a new motherboard?
{hemanth_s 9:06:12 PM} Yes , You don't need to reinstall the Operating System
{hemanth_s 9:06:57 PM} Yes , That will work.
{ 9:07:13 PM} So, it's the identical motherboard?
{hemanth_s 9:07:23 PM} That's correct.
{ 9:07:24 PM} with what version of BIOS?
{ 9:08:04 PM} where do i search for that part W2562
{hemanth_s 9:08:09 PM} I am not sure . You can upgrade to the latest version.
{hemanth_s 9:08:39 PM} You need to call our sales department .You can reach our sales department at 1-800-372-3355.They are open from Monday through Friday 8AM-5PM.
{ 9:09:15 PM} hmm. ok... well thanks for your help hermanth..
{hemanth_s 9:09:57 PM} You are welcome

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

Wow, that dell guy had around half a brain, and was not an asshole

 

[macdude425]

Unlike most...most assume you are a total n00b who doesn't know jack...even if you tell them you do...