PCA Forums

Posted: **Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:55 pm**

I bought this PC for my father-in-law in May, and it no longer boots. I get the solid amber light. I've tried the following:
Different power supply
Different graphics card
Re-seated memory and cleaned surfaces
Tried each stick individually
Re-seated the CPU

From reading this thread:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/618888
It sounds like a CPU failure. I noticed while having the system on for just 2 minutes or so, the CPU heat sink does get very warm, and this thing is massive. The caps look OK visually as I don't see any leakage.

Here is the info on my service tag:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/ ... dhs&~tab=2
(service tag = 3B2BT91)

I don't have a spare CPU laying around to try, but would not mind buying one. I don't need the fastest CPU, but either of the same speed or even lower would be fine. I would like to order one through NewEgg or the like and avoid the huge markup from Dell. Can one of you cpu gurus recommend a replacement cpu? According to the Dell sight for this service tag, it has:
Processor, 80547, PENTIUM D SMITHFIELD FOR DESKTOPS..., 820 SKT-T, Male

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:03 am**

According to this it could be almost anything on the mobo:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s ... shoot1.htm

The Dell Diagnostics is running a test, or a device on the system board may be faulty or incorrectly installed.

Since you tried everything else it may very well be the CPU, however a CPU failure is pretty rare unless the heatsink compound had a void and developed a hot spot. Worth a try I suppose but don't be surprised if a replacement CPU doesn't fix it. It may very well be a bad mobo.

BTW: You might be able to get an entire replacement mobo with a CPU from Dell for a reasonable price. Call Dell and ask. I had a client with a 4 year old PC call Dell and a replacement mobo and CPU was fairly reasonable. Prices vary depending on the model. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes it's not.

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:59 am**

I was thinking I would try the CPU first, but I'm not sure which one to get. I also don't mind having a spare laying around. You won't believe the size of the heat sink on this sucker, but I was surprised how hot it got within minutes. I even removed the old compound and applied some new stuff and it was still getting quite hot within minutes of being powered up.

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:54 pm**

The guys at Dell support are $$!@%%%

I'm on a live chat asking them what CPU's are supported for this PC. They only tell me a Pentium 4 and Celeron. Well duh!

After several typed sentences, where I still can't get an answer, they come back and tell me its cheaper to buy a new system.

Their page for my service tag does not have any CPU support information. I guess when I get home I'll pull the existing CPU and see if I can find a used one since that will be a lot cheaper than buying a new system from Dell.

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:59 pm**

Rack another one up for why I think Dell sucks..

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:00 pm**

Now for a helpful post.. It appears that's a Socket 775 CPU based on the smithfield core that I see above, Exec.. So it should be easy to find a replacement CPU pretty cheap.

eGo

***EDIT***

Here's one on eBay going pretty cheap..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentium-D-925-Dual- ... 335ef27444

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:11 pm**

Thanks for that. I went back to the Dell online chat support and this time I got someone that knows.

I have a Dell Dimension with a service tag of 3B2BT91 and I need to replace the CPU, but I don't know what CPU's will work. Please don't tell me Pentium or Celeron as I already know that. I need to know what are my options for a replacement CPU for this desktop unit.
1:05:01 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
I'll be glad to assist you on that. Please give me a minute or two to check. Thanks.
1:06:42 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
I see this is for your Dimension E510 ,Intel Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.8 GHz)
1:06:53 PM Customer Charlie
Yes
1:08:57 PM Customer Charlie
What CPU's will work for this motherboard/bios setup? It does not have to be an exact replacement. A lesser speed CPU will be fine. I jsut need to know the range that will work and what type I have to stay with.
1:10:46 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
As far as Pentium 4 series, this is the highest you can go: Prescott Pentium 4 Kit, 650, 3.4G, 800FSB, 2MB, Socket-T,
1:10:56 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
Part#: W9856
1:11:31 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
For Celeron: Prescott Celeron Kit, 351, 3.20G, 533FSB, 256K, Socket-T
1:11:46 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
Part#: FD878
1:12:10 PM Customer Charlie
Great. Do you have prices for each and what is the phone number to call to place the order?
1:13:32 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
$125.99 and $177.95 respectively. Let me send you quotes.
1:13:50 PM Customer Charlie
OK thanks a bunch for your help.
1:14:57 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
You're welcome. But I suggest you call technical support for assistance on how to make newer processors work as well. For future reference, You can reach them at 1-800-624-9896 extension 726-9955.
1:15:17 PM Agent E&A_Ronald Ryan
and for parts, call 1-800-357-3355 Extension 7269937

What would help for Dell is to have the supported CPU's listed. Not asking for a lot, but I can also see for them not listing them since some idiot would try just about anything so they might be sued. What a hassle regardless.

Posted: **Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:35 pm**

Like FP said, it's very rare for a CPU to go out. If I had to bet, I'd put money on the mobo.

If you need a CPU that's cheap, I'm sure someone on a forum or ebay has a Pentium D that they're almost ready to give away (usually under $25).

Posted: **Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:09 am**

Yeah I found an exact replacement one on ebay. My max bid is $25. Its currently going for $12.50 and ends tomorrow.

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:12 pm**

Got my cpu and still no go. So at this point, I'm done with this pc. Probably go to Walmart and buy a new rig for my father-in-law since they are cheap.

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:38 pm**

Sorry to hear.

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 2:08 pm**

I can recommend this one: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/5 ... -Computer/

$380 without a monitor. I just bought one to use as a Media Center PC on my patio HDTV. Decent budget PC for the price. It does come loaded with all the usual HP crapware though.

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 2:56 pm**

Thanks for the link. I was looking at Walmart and I can get an e-machine desktop for just under $300.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/eMachines-EL1 ... w/14314621

I bought an e-machine laptop 3 months ago on sale for $298 at Walmart and its been working just fine. Thoughts on this desktop?

They also have this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Acer-ET1352-01/14575771
for $350

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:47 pm**

The $300 PC only has 2Gb. Not enough. Go with the $349 PC with 4Gb.

eMachines is making decent budget PCs. Acer owns them now.

Posted: **Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:42 pm**

I found a replacement motherboard. It was made by Intel for Dell, so I bought it. Got it installed. Power up and it says:
System Halted
Incompatible processor detected

I'm using the same processor from the old board. The board looks exactly like the replacement except for an extra cap here and there. The screen shows:
Dell DM051 Series
BIOS version A04

The CPU that I have is:
Pentium D
820
2.8GHz/2M/888/05A

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Dell Dimension 5150/E510 Help

Dell Dimension 5150/E510 Help