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