6 long beeps is a Ram Memory problem.
Suggest this;
1.Computer off, unplugged from power. Computer case open.
2.Work on a table, touch the metal frame of the computer case. Doing this will relieve static. Your body carries Static, and Static will fry out computer hardware components in a Flash! You won't see it or feel it!
3.Remove all Ram modules. ('Sticks') Now reseat them. Be sure they/it are seated in all the way, and the lock tabs are clicked in on both sides of the ram stick.
4.Remove the CMOS battery. Press the Power On button in, and hold it in. Hold it in for a count of five seconds. Let go of the button. Do this two more times.
(You are clearing any CMOS Error Codes, and resetting BIOS back to the factory default settings. Some computers have a capacitor besides the CMOS battery, and will store a charge. Pressing the Power On button in the procedure stated above, will help to ensure that all residual power is drained. If you do not clear the CMOS Error Codes, you will wind up with the same problem)
5.Replace the CMOS battery. Close the computer case. Plug the computer back into power.
WAIT 1 minute. Turn the computer on.
I would like to know your findings. Should you still want to replace the motherboard, I have some recommendations. Dell doesn't state what form factor the motherboard in the XPS 410 is. I suspect it to be a Micro-ATX form factor. To be sure measure it.
1.ATX form factor: 12.4 inches by 9.6 inches
(305mm by 244mm)
2.Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 inches by 9.6 inches.
(244mm by 244mm)
Let's start by the size of the motherboard first.
The motherboard chipset, (Northbridge/Southbridge chipset) used in the Dell XPS 410 is the Intel P965 Express chipset.
(Not bad really, but I prefer Nvidia motherboard chipsets. Why? Because you have a lot more options to tweak the system. The Nvidia 750i MCP chipset is a really decent one. So is the Nvidia 680i LT, and the Nvidia 780i)
Comments:
Nov 09, 2009
- No, the power supply used for the Dell XPS 410 is a 300 Watt unit.
HOWEVER, it is overrated. (Rated beyond actual wattage)
It is only 70 percent of the stated Wattage. Actual is more like 210 Watts.
I Wouldn't even think of reusing it!
[Also I don't know if it applies to the XPS 410, but Dell did a 'Switcheroo' on the power wires going into the ATX 20/24-pin motherboard power cable.
1.Yellow is 12 volts
2.Red is 5 volts
3.Orange is 3.3 volts
4.Green is the Soft Power On wire
5.ALL Black wires are Ground
They switched these around in some of the connectors. {ATX 12 volt motherboard connector}
Switched them in the socket holes in the connector.
Guess what happens if you put a 12 volt wire, where a Ground is supposed to be? POOF! 'Let's the Smoke out'! Happens when you try to use this type of power supply on an aftermarket motherboard, or an aftermarket power supply on their motherboard. {They are supposed to have stopped this practice. It was implemented to keep users from installing the wrong components in their computers. Also I suspect another factor that I won't detail here]
The power supply size used in that computer is an ATX form factor. My recommendation would be to use an OCZ StealthXStream 600W.
Why?
Because if needed it can put out 728.8 Watts reliably. It has Four 12 volt power rails. EACH one is capable of 18 Amps. You can total that to equal 72 Amps! Has all the power cables you'll need, and perhaps more than you need.
I would also recommend an XFX nForce 680i LT SLI motherboard.
Why?
Price versus performance. Will support Intel processors from the Pentium 4 (775 socket version) to the Quad Core. (Me? E8400 Core2 Duo for my preference)
Uses DDR2 at 800MHz, and has two ram slots. Up to 4GB's of support with a 32bit O/S. (8GB's with a 64bit O/S) Trust me, there isn't anything out there that will use more than 4GB's. People need to wake up. (Actual is 3.2GB to 3.5GB that will be recognized)
Has 2 PCI Express x16 slots, that when 2 graphics cards are used,
BOTH - PCI Express x16 slots stay at 16X, and not 8X for one, and 16x for the other. Many mobo manufacturers Do Not state this. They do not state that it's 8x for one, and 16x for the other. Misleading!
(Actually I would use an Evga GTX 260 216 Core. Just ONE!. Price versus performance again! Will Smoke two 9800's in an SLI configuration)
The above is just my personal preferences listed, and in no means states advertising for the above manufacturers.
Thank you for the rating, Phil. Hope to see more questions from you!
Nov 09, 2009
- aorian_starr,
My deepest apologizes for referring to you as Phil. Apparently one of my two brain cells seems to have fallen asleep!
Nov 09, 2009
- aorian_starr,
Here is more information on the Dell issue,
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.htmlScroll down to the 20 pin ATX main power cable heading, and read the third paragraph.
Nov 09, 2009
- http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html
Expert
