alt.certification.a-plus - Dell GX1 CPU Upgrade from Pen2 350 to Pen 3 500- Systme wont read ram.

Author

Dell GX1 CPU Upgrade from Pen2 350 to Pen 3 500- Systme wont read ram.

BobSakamano

2003-02-18, 5:23 pm

I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I flashed
the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok and
then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I can't
remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)

I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the system
had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it hadn't
enough memory.

I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
memory(128MB).

Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash the
BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a couple of
hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem

Thank You
BobSakamano.

Splitskull

2003-02-18, 6:23 pm

Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
BTW what version of windows u have installed?

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
> I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
flashed
> the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
and
> then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
can't
> remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
>
> I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the system
> had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it hadn't
> enough memory.
>
> I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> memory(128MB).
>
> Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash the
> BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a couple
of
> hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
>
> Thank You
> BobSakamano.
>
>

BobSakamano

2003-02-18, 6:23 pm

> Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
> BTW what version of windows u have installed?

winXP Pro

Splitskull

2003-02-18, 7:23 pm

U need the latest bios for sure. I upgrade a GX1 p2@400 to a p3@700 slot 1
100 fsb and i'm running winxp pro without problems( but i have 384MB
ram-dunno if make any diff). So I know for sure u can upgrade proc. BTW my
jumper is on auto and fsb is at 100
HTH
Splitskull

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b2uh5g$qjo$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
> > BTW what version of windows u have installed?
>
>
> winXP Pro
>
>

BobSakamano

2003-02-18, 8:23 pm

I upgraded to A010 but when I turned on the computer all I got was about 4/6
loud beeping sounds and then just a blank screen.

The CPU is fsb 100 as required.

However I don't see a jumper setting for auto, just 66mzh to 500mzh and
another two for Password and BIOS. I tried the jumper on 500 and off
altogether.

I think I'll return to an earlier BIOS to see if it is the latest BIOS
which is the prob or something else.

I bought the CPU second hand so that might be the problem, unfortunately I
don't have another Pen III to compare it with.

The last time I tried it on the A06 BIOS it worked ok for about 10mins
then made a beeping sound and turned itself off. When I got back into the
setup menu it said it had 1mb of system memory(it should state 128mb).
Have you seen anything like this happen before?

thanks for your help,
BobSakamano

"Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:LwA4a.9989$0q5.3007@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> U need the latest bios for sure. I upgrade a GX1 p2@400 to a p3@700 slot 1
> 100 fsb and i'm running winxp pro without problems( but i have 384MB
> ram-dunno if make any diff). So I know for sure u can upgrade proc. BTW my
> jumper is on auto and fsb is at 100
> HTH
> Splitskull
>
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:b2uh5g$qjo$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > > Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
> > > BTW what version of windows u have installed?
> >
> >
> > winXP Pro
> >
> >
>
>
>

Splitskull

2003-02-18, 10:23 pm

I just saw on dell site there are 2 revision of gx1
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/system...gx1/jumpers.htm
Maybe u have the 1st rev and your cpu is too good for it.

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b2up4h$vj2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> I upgraded to A010 but when I turned on the computer all I got was about
4/6
> loud beeping sounds and then just a blank screen.
>
> The CPU is fsb 100 as required.
>
> However I don't see a jumper setting for auto, just 66mzh to 500mzh and
> another two for Password and BIOS. I tried the jumper on 500 and off
> altogether.
>
> I think I'll return to an earlier BIOS to see if it is the latest BIOS
> which is the prob or something else.
>
> I bought the CPU second hand so that might be the problem, unfortunately I
> don't have another Pen III to compare it with.
>
> The last time I tried it on the A06 BIOS it worked ok for about 10mins
> then made a beeping sound and turned itself off. When I got back into the
> setup menu it said it had 1mb of system memory(it should state 128mb).
> Have you seen anything like this happen before?
>
> thanks for your help,
> BobSakamano
>
>
>
> "Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:LwA4a.9989$0q5.3007@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> > U need the latest bios for sure. I upgrade a GX1 p2@400 to a p3@700 slot
1
> > 100 fsb and i'm running winxp pro without problems( but i have 384MB
> > ram-dunno if make any diff). So I know for sure u can upgrade proc. BTW
my
> > jumper is on auto and fsb is at 100
> > HTH
> > Splitskull
> >
> > "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> > news:b2uh5g$qjo$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > > > Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
> > > > BTW what version of windows u have installed?
> > >
> > >
> > > winXP Pro
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Navin R. Johnson

2003-02-19, 1:23 am

On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:18:58 -0000, "BobSakamano"
<bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

>I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I flashed
>the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok and
>then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I can't
>remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)

Dell...... Garbage..... If you let the system kewl down for 30-minutes
does it start working again? I've had at least four of those GX1 systems
(three mini-towers and a desktop) with similar symptoms. They all ended
up having bad power supplies. And what a XXXXX they were to work with,
especially the desktop. I had to find exact replacement supplies to fit
in that piece of shit they call a case and ended up paying $45 or more
for each, and they were all used, and they put out a whopping 200 watts
- the desktop was only 145 watts and was the hardest to find. Tiny
little fans too. No wonder they crap out so often. Enough about Dell
garbage. What I'm suspecting is that when you use the faster CPU, the
weak power supply just can't handle it and overheats. You might try
opening it up and giving it a good cleaning, in addition to the entire
case and all the air vents. Definitely make sure the cpu fan is running
normally. And, if all else fails, try it with different memory, maybe
some PC-133 chips. Good luck.

NRJ

>I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the system
>had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
>pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it hadn't
>enough memory.
>
>I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
>memory(128MB).
>
>Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash the
>BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a couple of
>hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
>
>Thank You
>BobSakamano.

Peter Felgate

2003-02-19, 3:23 am

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Beware. BIOSes higher than A07 on the GX1 DO NOT support ANY
processor higher than 500MHz. If you put in too fast a processor you
will get an unsupported processor report and the machine will halt.
A07 is fine with all processor speeds.

The second revision motherboard GX1s will cope with PIIIs up to 1 GHz
as long as they have 100MHz FSB, and Coppermine Celerons up to 1.1GHz
using slockets. As suggested, see what revision motherboard you have.

"Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message news:<ALC4a.10074$0q5.9732@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com>...
> I just saw on dell site there are 2 revision of gx1
> http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/system...gx1/jumpers.htm
> Maybe u have the 1st rev and your cpu is too good for it.
>
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:b2up4h$vj2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > I upgraded to A010 but when I turned on the computer all I got was about
> 4/6
> > loud beeping sounds and then just a blank screen.
> >
> > The CPU is fsb 100 as required.
> >
> > However I don't see a jumper setting for auto, just 66mzh to 500mzh and
> > another two for Password and BIOS. I tried the jumper on 500 and off
> > altogether.
> >
> > I think I'll return to an earlier BIOS to see if it is the latest BIOS
> > which is the prob or something else.
> >
> > I bought the CPU second hand so that might be the problem, unfortunately I
> > don't have another Pen III to compare it with.
> >
> > The last time I tried it on the A06 BIOS it worked ok for about 10mins
> > then made a beeping sound and turned itself off. When I got back into the
> > setup menu it said it had 1mb of system memory(it should state 128mb).
> > Have you seen anything like this happen before?
> >
> > thanks for your help,
> > BobSakamano
> >
> >
> >
> > "Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> > news:LwA4a.9989$0q5.3007@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> > > U need the latest bios for sure. I upgrade a GX1 p2@400 to a p3@700 slot
> 1
> > > 100 fsb and i'm running winxp pro without problems( but i have 384MB
> > > ram-dunno if make any diff). So I know for sure u can upgrade proc. BTW
> my

> > > jumper is on auto and fsb is at 100
> > > HTH
> > > Splitskull
> > >
> > > "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> > > news:b2uh5g$qjo$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > > > > Flash the latest bios. The leave the jumper on AUTO.
> > > > > BTW what version of windows u have installed?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > winXP Pro
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

ImhoTech

2003-02-19, 9:23 am

In the BIOS disable the cpu level 2 cache

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
> I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
flashed
> the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
and
> then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
can't
> remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
>
> I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the system
> had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it hadn't
> enough memory.
>
> I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> memory(128MB).
>
> Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash the
> BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a couple
of
> hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
>
> Thank You
> BobSakamano.
>
>

Splitskull

2003-02-19, 4:23 pm

??????

"ImhoTech" <bobo@yodelers.net> wrote in message
news:v576tno9potu12@corp.supernews.com...
> In the BIOS disable the cpu level 2 cache
>
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
> flashed
> > the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
> and
> > then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
> can't
> > remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
> >
> > I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the
system
> > had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> > pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it
hadn't
> > enough memory.
> >
> > I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> > memory(128MB).
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash
the
> > BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a
couple
> of
> > hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
> >
> > Thank You
> > BobSakamano.
> >
> >
>
>

BobSakamano

2003-02-19, 7:23 pm

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Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
news:ALC4a.10074$0q5.9732@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> I just saw on dell site there are 2 revision of gx1
> http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/system...gx1/jumpers.htm
> Maybe u have the 1st rev and your cpu is too good for it.

I belive I have the latest version as it has a jumper position for 500mzh.

"Navin R. Johnson" <TheJerk@optigrab.net> wrote in message
news:gu965vgv8fqjtiau7um7r0bdl
p4v0cmjsg@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:18:58 -0000,
> Dell...... Garbage..... If you let the system kewl down for 30-minutes
> does it start working again? I've had at least four of those GX1 systems
> (three mini-towers and a desktop) with similar symptoms. They all ended
> up having bad power supplies. And what a XXXXX they were to work with,
> especially the desktop. I had to find exact replacement supplies to fit
> in that piece of shit they call a case and ended up paying $45 or more
> for each, and they were all used, and they put out a whopping 200 watts
> - the desktop was only 145 watts and was the hardest to find. Tiny
> little fans too. No wonder they crap out so often. Enough about Dell
> garbage. What I'm suspecting is that when you use the faster CPU, the
> weak power supply just can't handle it and overheats. You might try
> opening it up and giving it a good cleaning, in addition to the entire
> case and all the air vents. Definitely make sure the cpu fan is running
> normally. And, if all else fails, try it with different memory, maybe
> some PC-133 chips. Good luck.
>
>
> NRJ

Just one thing, the Pen III 500 CPU came with a heatsink and fan attached
but I was unable to connect the fan cable to the MB as it was too large.
There was no fan attached to the Pen II CPU, just a fan at the back of the
case. Do you think this might be a contributing factor?

Thanks
BobSakamano

Navin R. Johnson

2003-02-20, 3:23 am

On Thu, 20 Feb 2003 00:23:54 -0000, "BobSakamano"
<bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>snip<
>
>Just one thing, the Pen III 500 CPU came with a heatsink and fan attached
>but I was unable to connect the fan cable to the MB as it was too large.
>There was no fan attached to the Pen II CPU, just a fan at the back of the
>case. Do you think this might be a contributing factor?
>
>Thanks
>BobSakamano
>

What do you think?................................ Intel put a fan on
that chip for a good reason (Dell cases?). When that fan is not turning,
the CPU overheats. Especially in that crappy Dell case which has no
airflow to begin with. The fan in the back of that case is supposed to
cool the entire system, including the power supply. It draws in room
temp air from the front of the case, which heats up as it passes all the
components, then it sucks that air out the back, right over top of the
CPU. Wonderful (cheap) design. You probably fried the CPU. Is there a
lesson in all this? Dell sucks? Good luck........you'll need it. Sorry,
but I love to rag on Dell.

NRJ

Peter Felgate

2003-02-20, 8:23 am

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message news:<b317hh$e9h$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> news:ALC4a.10074$0q5.9732@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> > I just saw on dell site there are 2 revision of gx1
> > http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/system...gx1/jumpers.htm
> > Maybe u have the 1st rev and your cpu is too good for it.
>
> I belive I have the latest version as it has a jumper position for 500mzh.
>
> "Navin R. Johnson" <TheJerk@optigrab.net> wrote in message
> news:gu965vgv8fqjtiau7um7r0bdl
p4v0cmjsg@4ax.com...
> > On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:18:58 -0000,
> > Dell...... Garbage..... If you let the system kewl down for 30-minutes
> > does it start working again? I've had at least four of those GX1 systems
> > (three mini-towers and a desktop) with similar symptoms. They all ended
> > up having bad power supplies. And what a XXXXX they were to work with,
> > especially the desktop. I had to find exact replacement supplies to fit
> > in that piece of shit they call a case and ended up paying $45 or more
> > for each, and they were all used, and they put out a whopping 200 watts
> > - the desktop was only 145 watts and was the hardest to find. Tiny
> > little fans too. No wonder they crap out so often. Enough about Dell
> > garbage. What I'm suspecting is that when you use the faster CPU, the
> > weak power supply just can't handle it and overheats. You might try
> > opening it up and giving it a good cleaning, in addition to the entire
> > case and all the air vents. Definitely make sure the cpu fan is running
> > normally. And, if all else fails, try it with different memory, maybe
> > some PC-133 chips. Good luck.
> >
> >
> > NRJ
>
>
>
> Just one thing, the Pen III 500 CPU came with a heatsink and fan attached
> but I was unable to connect the fan cable to the MB as it was too large.
> There was no fan attached to the Pen II CPU, just a fan at the back of the
> case. Do you think this might be a contributing factor?
>
> Thanks
> BobSakamano

This may contribute to the issue; the original Dell case fan is
designed to cool the LARGE heatsink used on the GX1 processors - a
smaller heatsink with the fan not operational may cause a heat
problem. I suggest you get a 3 pin to 4p in adaptor to use the fan on
the heatsink as well as the case fan.

DON'T use PC133 memory - most PC133 will NOT work on the GX1s.

Are you sure the processor is good?

Splitskull

2003-02-20, 5:23 pm

I have PC133 and PC100(original) in my gx1. Works no problem. Works on
100MHz.
Splitskull

"Peter Felgate" <peterfelgate@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e3e02c23.0302200505.271bddd3@posting.google.com...
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<b317hh$e9h$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> > Splitskull" <someone@somewhere.com> wrote in message
> > news:ALC4a.10074$0q5.9732@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com...
> > > I just saw on dell site there are 2 revision of gx1
> > > http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/system...gx1/jumpers.htm
> > > Maybe u have the 1st rev and your cpu is too good for it.
> >
> > I belive I have the latest version as it has a jumper position for
500mzh.
> >
> > "Navin R. Johnson" <TheJerk@optigrab.net> wrote in message
> > news:gu965vgv8fqjtiau7um7r0bdl
p4v0cmjsg@4ax.com...
> > > On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:18:58 -0000,
> > > Dell...... Garbage..... If you let the system kewl down for 30-minutes
> > > does it start working again? I've had at least four of those GX1
systems
> > > (three mini-towers and a desktop) with similar symptoms. They all
ended

> > > up having bad power supplies. And what a XXXXX they were to work with,
> > > especially the desktop. I had to find exact replacement supplies to
fit[c
olor=darkred]
> > > in that piece of shit they call a case and ended up paying $45 or more
> > > for each, and they were all used, and they put out a whopping 200[/color]
watts

> > > - the desktop was only 145 watts and was the hardest to find. Tiny
> > > little fans too. No wonder they crap out so often. Enough about Dell
> > > garbage. What I'm suspecting is that when you use the faster CPU, the
> > > weak power supply just can't handle it and overheats. You might try
> > > opening it up and giving it a good cleaning, in addition to the entire
> > > case and all the air vents. Definitely make sure the cpu fan is
running
> > > normally. And, if all else fails, try it with different memory, maybe
> > > some PC-133 chips. Good luck.
> > >
> > >
> > > NRJ
> >
> >
> >
> > Just one thing, the Pen III 500 CPU came with a heatsink and fan
attached
> > but I was unable to connect the fan cable to the MB as it was too large.
> > There was no fan attached to the Pen II CPU, just a fan at the back of
the
> > case. Do you think this might be a contributing factor?
> >
> > Thanks
> > BobSakamano
>
>
> This may contribute to the issue; the original Dell case fan is
> designed to cool the LARGE heatsink used on the GX1 processors - a
> smaller heatsink with the fan not operational may cause a heat
> problem. I suggest you get a 3 pin to 4p in adaptor to use the fan on
> the heatsink as well as the case fan.
>
> DON'T use PC133 memory - most PC133 will NOT work on the GX1s.
>
> Are you sure the processor is good?

John D.

2003-02-20, 11:23 pm

No offense intended, but in my view you're wasting time, effort and
money going from one obsolete/slow machine to an only slightly less
obsolete/slow machine. Even cheap entry-level computers nowadays far
exceed a PIII-500.

Your resources would be better spent getting a $60 mobo that'll take
an AMD XP-2800+ or P4 equivalent...forget "upgrading" the 350...it's a
complete waste of time.

John D.

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message news:<b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I flashed
> the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok and
> then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I can't
> remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
>
> I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the system
> had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it hadn't
> enough memory.
>
> I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> memory(128MB).
>
> Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash the
> BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a couple of
> hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
>
> Thank You
> BobSakamano.

SBFan2000

2003-02-21, 2:23 am

AMEN, I already suggested it, I still think it would be a much better use of
your money!

"John D." <jcdech@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e821bab6.0302202102.48da47d@posting.google.com...
> No offense intended, but in my view you're wasting time, effort and
> money going from one obsolete/slow machine to an only slightly less
> obsolete/slow machine. Even cheap entry-level computers nowadays far
> exceed a PIII-500.
>
> Your resources would be better spent getting a $60 mobo that'll take
> an AMD XP-2800+ or P4 equivalent...forget "upgrading" the 350...it's a
> complete waste of time.
>
> John D.
>
>
>
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> > I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
flashed
> > the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
and
> > then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
can't

> > remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
> >
> > I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the
system
> > had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> > pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it
hadn't
> > enough memory.
> >
> > I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> > memory(128MB).
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash
the
> > BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a
couple of
> > hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
> >
> > Thank You
> > BobSakamano.

BobSakamano

2003-02-21, 5:23 am

Hi John,
I was thinking the same, will a socket A MB fit in a Dell OptiPlex GX1 Tower
Case?
Thanks
Bob

"John D." <jcdech@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e821bab6.0302202102.48da47d@posting.google.com...
> No offense intended, but in my view you're wasting time, effort and
> money going from one obsolete/slow machine to an only slightly less
> obsolete/slow machine. Even cheap entry-level computers nowadays far
> exceed a PIII-500.
>
> Your resources would be better spent getting a $60 mobo that'll take
> an AMD XP-2800+ or P4 equivalent...forget "upgrading" the 350...it's a
> complete waste of time.
>
> John D.
>
>
>
> "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> > I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
flashed
> > the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
and
> > then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
can't

> > remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
> >
> > I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the
system
> > had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> > pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it
hadn't
> > enough memory.
> >
> > I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> > memory(128MB).
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash
the
> > BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a
couple of
> > hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
> >
> > Thank You
> > BobSakamano.

Splitskull

2003-02-21, 7:23 am

no.

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:b3525e$ec$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi John,
> I was thinking the same, will a socket A MB fit in a Dell OptiPlex GX1
Tower
> Case?
> Thanks
> Bob
>
>
> "John D." <jcdech@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:e821bab6.0302202102.48da47d@posting.google.com...
> > No offense intended, but in my view you're wasting time, effort and
> > money going from one obsolete/slow machine to an only slightly less
> > obsolete/slow machine. Even cheap entry-level computers nowadays far
> > exceed a PIII-500.
> >
> > Your resources would be better spent getting a $60 mobo that'll take
> > an AMD XP-2800+ or P4 equivalent...forget "upgrading" the 350...it's a
> > complete waste of time.
> >
> > John D.
> >
> >
> >
> > "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:<b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> > > I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
> flashed
> > > the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went
ok
> and
> > > then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
> can't
> > > remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
> > >
> > > I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the
> system
> > > had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> > > pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it
> hadn't
> > > enough memory.
> > >
> > > I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> > > memory(128MB).
> > >
> > > Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash
> the
> > > BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a
> couple of

> > > hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this
problem
> > >
> > > Thank You
> > > BobSakamano.
>
>

BobSakamano

2003-02-22, 1:23 pm

> This may contribute to the issue; the original Dell case fan is
> designed to cool the LARGE heatsink used on the GX1 processors - a
> smaller heatsink with the fan not operational may cause a heat
> problem. I suggest you get a 3 pin to 4p in adaptor to use the fan on
> the heatsink as well as the case fan.

As I said in another message I did not plug the fan attached to the CPU in
to the MB as the connector would not fit. The fan attached to the case is a
three pin plug and the CPU fan is a three pin plug as well but the CPU one
is nearly twice as thick so it won't fit.

Is there a special kind of adaptor for this and if so what is it called and
where do I purchase one?

Any other ideas welcome

Thanks
BobSakamano

John D.

2003-02-22, 3:23 pm

Bob,

Well, Splitskull says no and I would have thought "no" also (but don't
know for sure) because too many brand-name computers use proprietary
cases -- so you have to buy expensive proprietary mobos to fit it --
one reason for building your own computer (which is really not hard to
do): You use off-the-shelf components/cases/PSUs and it all fits!

IIRC, Dell also has some proprietary -- and expensive-to-replace I
might point out -- PSUs (90$ for an ATX PSU? Outrageous...it should be
around $30-40), so you are best served going "generic."

But I don't mean buying no-name, generic, house-brand stuff of
questionable quality, I mean buying "industry standard" but branded
items like an ATX case, ATX PSU, and so on. That way, ANYONE -- you,
your PC-geek friends or a PC-tech at a shop -- can work on them
easily, parts are cheaper and everything will fit!

And all this stuff need not be expensive.

I get my cases (so far, Codegen and Apex) and PSUs from dealsonic.com
(well-rated at resellerratings.com last time I looked). Check out the
prices for cases there and see you can replace your Dell case for not
too much...Give your present Dell case to some other poor sucker to
use (or salvage what you can off it and throw it away). Get your NEW
case WITHOUT a PSU (unless it is a top-drawer brand case which COMES
with a quality PSU) so you can control the quality of the PSU...I
order cases from Dealsonic "empty" and order the PSU separately so I
can put a QUALITY -- and KNOWN SPECS -- PSU in the new case. The PSUs
that usualy come with lower-priced cases are not very good and my even
be unbranded/have no specs to look at.

I don't care too much about the case -- as long as it looks okay, the
sheet metal isn't too thin and fragile, and has a place for a front
and rear 80mm (at least) fan -- but I DO care about the PSU...it has
to be quality. As should the memory be.

Most of the OTHER computer components I get from the VERY good and slo
very well rated online vendor newegg.com...they really take care of
you, too.

Were I you at this point, I'd get a mobo that would take a pretty fast
CPU -- for an AMD mobo, get one that will take the fastest XP CPUs
available now and in the case of a P4, get a mobo that will take the
fastest 533MHz bus P4s available -- and for starters, to save money,
get a SLOWER CPU -- but still LOTS faster than your PIII-500 -- to run
on the mobo NOW and when the prices of the faster ones come down, get
one of them at that time and upgrade...max-out the mobo CPU-wise if
possible then.

I did this with my K7S5A (board would take up to an AMD XP-2600+) some
time ago: Got it for $54 and then for around $90 at that time got a
1GHz AMD T-Bird. Later on, I got an AMD XP-2100+ for it...doubling the
CPU power and making quite a difference, a serious upgrade. Went from
SDR PC-133 to DDR PC-2100, too. Later on, I can put an even faster XP
CPU on it if I wish. So think about your "upgrade path" as you
consider what to get...plan it all out. Make sure your new mobo has
enough "headroom" (and PCI slots, etc.)

That's the "standard" mobo upgrade routine lots of us "financially
challenged" people follow.

If money is no object for you, then max it all out now!

Good luck,

John D.

"BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message news:<b3525e$ec$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> Hi John,
> I was thinking the same, will a socket A MB fit in a Dell OptiPlex GX1 Tower
> Case?
> Thanks
> Bob
>
>
> "John D." <jcdech@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:e821bab6.0302202102.48da47d@posting.google.com...
> > No offense intended, but in my view you're wasting time, effort and
> > money going from one obsolete/slow machine to an only slightly less
> > obsolete/slow machine. Even cheap entry-level computers nowadays far
> > exceed a PIII-500.
> >
> > Your resources would be better spent getting a $60 mobo that'll take
> > an AMD XP-2800+ or P4 equivalent...forget "upgrading" the 350...it's a
> > complete waste of time.
> >
> > John D.
> >
> >
> >
> > "BobSakamano" <bobsakamano@freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:<b2uepj$neq$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk>...
> > > I have just upgraded my Dell GX1 form a Pen 2 350 to a Pen 3 500. I
> flashed
> > > the BIOS form A04 to A05 and changed the jumper to 500mzh.. All went ok
> and
> > > then after a couple of hours the system gave a memory fatal error. (I
> can't
> > > remember what if was but has lots of numbers!)
> > >
> > > I restarted and when I went into the setup menu it stated that the
> system
> > > had only 1MB(It has 128mb installed) of system memory and then when I
> > > pressed F1 to continue to start the PC it wouldn't start saying it
> hadn't
> > > enough memory.
> > >
> > > I put back the Pen 2 350 and the system then stated the correct
> > > memory(128MB).
> > >
> > > Does anyone have any idea why this is and what to do. I going to flash
> the
> > > BIOS to A07 to see how this goes but of course I'll have to wait a
> couple of

> > > hours to see what happens so I would appreciate any info on this problem
> > >
> > > Thank You
> > > BobSakamano.

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