Dell Dimension Desktop Beep Codes

fox2319

I got one of the Q6600 Dells from Tesco a year or so back and have been generally happy with it until last night.

I came home from a few days away, turned the PC on to check email and was happily downloading email and writing a quick reply when the keyboard and mouse died (backlights on keyboard and mouse all went out.) I tried to unplug / replug etc. but no joy so hit the power button for a hard reset. Since then the PC either:

1 - Spins the fans up but no more
2 - Spins the fans up and gives a 4-4-4 error beep code repeating away - Suggests Cache test failure but not sure what to do about it.
3 - On 2 occasions last night, there was a slight dip in the lights in the house and reset of microwave and router. These were both coincident with trying to power up the PC. It may not be related but, if it is, it's esp worrying as the PC is sat on a surge protection strip.

I didn't have much time to fault find last night, basically unplugged everything except the kb & mouse. Tonight I'll try playing with memory sticks and the graphics card but (3) has me a bit worried.

Anyone got any suggestions on how to progress this? Am I basically looking at a new PC?

JasX

Humm, a quick google doesn't bring up much conclusive.

Worth testing the RAM using either memtest86/memtest86+ -might get lucky with a bad stick that can be fixed by being removed and runnign with reduced RAM.

I'd also be getting my multimeter out and thoroughly testing my PSU outputs

Not sure which cache the code specifically relates to but if it is the processor its likely not good news. Apparently Dell can have an advanced self diagnostics built in accessible by pressing F12 -might shed further light on the subject.

If it is something other than RAM thats gone it might be new hardware time, in which case short of a new PC I'd suggest perhaps look out for a processor+motherboard bundle compatible with your existing RAM or replace that too. Be sure to check your PSU rating and number and type of power connectors required as Dell don;t tend to over engineer these things beyond the bare minimum.

Self building would probably let you re-use quite a bit -just treat the PSU as suspect till tested as you don't want to be blowing up any brand new expensive hardware.

If you are in an area where mains power supplies can be unreliable definitely invest in surge protection.

fox2319

Ta for the reply. Will ne giving the ram a try when I get home but, failing that, the system appears to be pining for the fjords a little.

Shame as I was quite happy with it as a gaming machine (with a 9800 GT onboard) for a mere £400 new. Unlikely to beat that these days.

gonzo127

it might be the PSU dieing, am just thinking about all the lights and other items in the house resetting, could be totally wrong but might be worth looking into, as if the PSU is on its way out could be trying to draw to much power but the surge protector is saving it from frying

do you have a spare one to test with?

Zanzibar

What do the 4 diagnostic LEDs say on the back (ABCD, usually the back - on the front on some Dells)?

fox2319

Zanzibar wrote: »

What do the 4 diagnostic LEDs say on the back (ABCD, usually the back - on the front on some Dells)?

Funnily enough, I thought they were on the front, never occurred to me to check the back which may be why I couldn't find them.

Will report back later.

fox2319

gonzo127 wrote: »

it might be the PSU dieing, am just thinking about all the lights and other items in the house resetting, could be totally wrong but might be worth looking into, as if the PSU is on its way out could be trying to draw to much power but the surge protector is saving it from frying

do you have a spare one to test with?

Sadly no spare ones to check it out with. Will see if I can scrounge one though.

spakkker

Q6600 go for £70 up on ebay ,maybe cheaper on av forums.Intel gives a 3 year warranty with retail cpu's , dell prob. use oem so it's down to dell. Cpu should last more than a year. May just be a motherboard fail -dell use cheapest m/boards- which can be replaced ,non-dell ,for £35.

edit: cex sell for £75 online but this may take a few weeks, better if you can pickup instore -free del. and 12 months g'tee

fox2319

Progress.

Should have done this last night but (in my defence) it was pushing 2am. I managed to find the 530 (apparently my model number) beep codes online and was able to narrow it down to duff memory. I pulled out one of the 2GB sticks and it powered up, will see how I'm getting on in half an hour or so.

Thanks for all the help. Now I get to try to chase play.com about the RAM I bought from them.