has my computer died?

macman

JasX wrote: »

Hi Hi, I came back.

Before running out for new RAM a couple of things I'd try

Check your computer is detecting all the RAM its supposed to have
Opening control panel > System (classic view) will tell you how much RAM your PC thinks it has.

Get hold of memtest86+ (freeware) from my earlier link, run it from a boot disk and it'll 'stress test' your RAM and flag up any intermittent faults you might or might not have, if it doesn't come up with too many errors (more than a couple in 20 mins -the test will run and run if you let it) you can tell if one or both of your RAM sets are good or bad, you only even need think about replacing any if they're playing up.

Even if one is bad you might well find you can live with a slightly less powerful computer operating on half original RAM spec until it finally gives up on you and put the money saved towards the next new one you get (5 years old is starting to get on a bit in computer terms)

I wouldn't want to run an older PC with XP on 256MB only. The OP can buy a 256MBx2 RAM replacement for just £14 at Crucial (or much better still 512MB x 2 for £20), so with that upgrade the PC should be good for a few years yet.

JasX

macman wrote: »

I wouldn't want to run an older PC with XP on 256MB only. The OP can buy a 256MBx2 RAM replacement for just £14 at Crucial (or much better still 512MB x 2 for £2), so with that upgrade the PC should be good for a few years yet.

Fair point, although I'd still suggest running memtest+ to determine if the RAM she has is good/bad. If it ain't broken.....

Strider590

Sounds to me like an overheating issue thats overwhelming the system fan's, now that could be the PSU, CPU or Graphics card. My money would be on the PSU, followed closely by the graphics card.

Dell are normally very good machines dust wise in an office environment, but you still HAVE to get in there and clean out the dust every 24 months or so. In the home environment, particularly with carpeted floors and animals running about (not to mention kids), you need to do this every 6 months and Dell facilitate this by making their cases very easy to open and work on.

You might get lucky and solve your problem, but as you've already had a burning smell I wouldn't get my hopes up.

virgin_moneysaver

neas wrote: »

glad you got it sorted. to be honest at 5 years old its 'worth' is prob sub-100 pounds maybe its time you upgraded it for a nice super duper pc?

would love to but my spare funds are tied up in vets fees at moment - nearly £1k since January!

virgin_moneysaver

macman wrote: »

In the 23rd post the OP said he used a 'cold air pump'? I assume something like a bicycle pump? Bit unconventional, but it would probably do the job-as long as he detached it from the bicycle first of course.

we have a Coleman rechargeable air pump for the airbeds (we're campers) so I used that

virgin_moneysaver

JasX wrote: »

Hi Hi, I came back.

Before running out for new RAM a couple of things I'd try

Check your computer is detecting all the RAM its supposed to have
Opening control panel > System (classic view) will tell you how much RAM your PC thinks it has.

Get hold of memtest86+ (freeware) from my earlier link, run it from a boot disk and it'll 'stress test' your RAM and flag up any intermittent faults you might or might not have, if it doesn't come up with too many errors (more than a couple in 20 mins -the test will run and run if you let it) you can tell if one or both of your RAM sets are good or bad, you only even need think about replacing any if they're playing up.

Even if one is bad you might well find you can live with a slightly less powerful computer operating on half original RAM spec until it finally gives up on you and put the money saved towards the next new one you get (5 years old is starting to get on a bit in computer terms)

thanks for that - it says I have 512mb RAM

virgin_moneysaver

macman wrote: »

http://www.crucial.com/
Use the system scanner and it will scan your PC and select the right memory options for you.
It may just be that with the side panel off and up on the bench, it sounded noisier.

I followed instructions but when I tried to run it it wouldn't work, something about win.32?

virgin_moneysaver

Strider590 wrote: »

Sounds to me like an overheating issue thats overwhelming the system fan's, now that could be the PSU, CPU or Graphics card. My money would be on the PSU, followed closely by the graphics card.

Dell are normally very good machines dust wise in an office environment, but you still HAVE to get in there and clean out the dust every 24 months or so. In the home environment, particularly with carpeted floors and animals running about (not to mention kids), you need to do this every 6 months and Dell facilitate this by making their cases very easy to open and work on.

You might get lucky and solve your problem, but as you've already had a burning smell I wouldn't get my hopes up.

so far today the noisy fan hasn't made an appearance

I find that I tend to dismantle the set up & give everything a good clean about twice a year but I've never opened the cover before, which was dead easy no screwdriver needed

I've converted the small room under the stairs to a computer room so it does build up a bit & what with a hairy dog added to the mix its surprising how quickly the dust builds up on back of machine

mind, if I'm talking to a bunch of blokes (I live with 3) you probably don't notice such things (broad generilisation, hmm)

macman

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

I followed instructions but when I tried to run it it wouldn't work, something about win.32?

OK, then just use the Crucial Memory Advisor tool on the right of it, on the same page. Put in Dell, then Dimension, then 8400, and it will give you the options for your PC. If you already have 512MB, you have 256MB on each RAM chip. Upgrade to a new matched pair (since we think at least one is failing), I suggest 2x512MB or even 2 x 1GB, as the price is not that much higher. (If you are buying anyway, no point in replacing with 256MB x 2).
When you fit them, you must use the same RAM slots as the chips occupy now, i.e. slot 1 and slot 2. Any subsequent upgrades would go in 3 and 4 as another matched pair. Your system can accept up to 4GB. (1GB in each slot).
But 1 or 2GB will give you a big speed boost.

macman

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

so far today the noisy fan hasn't made an appearance

I find that I tend to dismantle the set up & give everything a good clean about twice a year but I've never opened the cover before, which was dead easy no screwdriver needed

I've converted the small room under the stairs to a computer room so it does build up a bit & what with a hairy dog added to the mix its surprising how quickly the dust builds up on back of machine

mind, if I'm talking to a bunch of blokes (I live with 3) you probably don't notice such things (broad generilisation, hmm)

Dogs and floor siting (especially on a carpet) are the classic combination for dust build up. Move it off the ground if you can, or put it on a piece of hard material so the fan doesn't suck all the fluff and hair off the carpet. And make sure all the vents are uncovered and have adequate airflow to them. I've known people put base units inside little desk units with barely an inch of clearance around them-it will cause overheating and shorten the life.