New processor installed and system not booting Dell Dimension 2400

[khoward81]

I just recently purchased and installed an Intel Northwood Pentium 4 Socket 478 P4 3.06 GHz 533 Mhz 845 Chipset Upgrade to my old Dell Dimension 2400. It was properly installed, along with reinstallation of the heat sink and fan.

Upon starting up the system, I get 6 beeps and Diagnostic Lights show A, C green and B, D are amber - the diagnostic pattern from Dell indicates:

"Memory modules are detected, but a memory configuration or compatibility error exists." and their solution is:

"1 - Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist.
2 - Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer.
3 - If the problem persists, see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual."

I have the original PC3200U-25330 512mb ddr-4000mhz-cl2.5 sticks from the factory installed. I tried to reinstall them one at a time, but to no avail - still the same 6 beeps and Diagnostic Lights.

Do the RAM sticks need to be compatible with the new processor or am I missing something?

Thanks,
Keith

 

[scout_03]

i would try a cmos to see if this will reset everything

 

[khoward81]

How would one go about doing that if it won't even boot up? The system beeps and shows the error message via the diagnostic lights. I tried to remove all of the ram, but the system then shows A green and B, C, D amber meaning:

"No memory modules are detected."

 

[scout_03]

because it did not detect memory correctly with the new cpu

 

[khoward81]

Yes, and that brings me to my original question of why it is not detecting the memory. Is it incompatible with the new processor? Or could it be something different altogether.

 

[scout_03]

it could be something else like the new cpu itself since the memory is in the upgrade parts list on dell or there are defective adding this you could try with that old cpu to see if system work

 

[drtweak]

The 2400 only supports DDR266 or DDR333 not DDR400 (PC3200) But it should down clock it properly but not always. Very odd how they would supply DDR400 sticks in a machine that doesn't do DDR400. I've never seen that in a dell before. What was the CPU you had in it before? Do you have any other ram lying around to try out?

 

[khoward81]

It originally had a P4 2.28ghz/512/400

I could pick up some ram to check it out - I'll let you know how it turns out. Would the DDR266 or DDR333 be the better choice?

 

[khoward81]

I found some online - http://thefactorydepot.com/Kingston-512MB-184Pin-PC2700-NonECC-KTM8854512/M/B00009X7X2.htm

Would that particular RAM work?

 

[khoward81]

The 2400 only supports DDR266 or DDR333 not DDR400 (PC3200) But it should down clock it properly but not always. Very odd how they would supply DDR400 sticks in a machine that doesn't do DDR400. I've never seen that in a dell before. What was the CPU you had in it before? Do you have any other ram lying around to try out?

I found some online - http://thefactorydepot.com/Kingston-512MB-184Pin-PC2700-NonECC-KTM8854512/M/B00009X7X2.htm

Would that particular RAM work?

 

[scout_03]

tthis is the one dell use for upgrade http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6436&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&mfgpid=163007&chassisid=8219 there is also this place http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellDimension2400.html

 

[NYgnat]

Even thought this is a year overdue, just a little correction and some more info on the 2400's. The 2400s ARE capable of using PC3200 ram. I currently have three, ALL running PC3200, by Kingston, G. Skill, and Super Talent. Two are on Win7 ULTimate with 2GB each, and another on XP (still) with 2GB itself. I would always double check the seating of the RAM. Very easy to lean on one of the remove levers and get some very unwanted wiggle-room in the ram. Make sure the tabs are at 90º to the motherboard, or fully upright. Depending on which O/S, I'd suggest at least 1GB total, but 2x1GB is max & best. Try to use matched pairs.
More information: When I tried a Northwood MOBILE P4/HT 3.06GHz in a 2400, (the XPpro one) it did work, sort of. It needed a BIOS setting to enable the HyperThreading, but being a MOBILE P4, it has speed-step, which the 2400 only sees at the lowest CPU speed of 1600MHz. CPU-ID will show the correct model chip with the correct RANGE of multipliers, but as the 2400 (desktop) can't use the (mobile) variable multipliers, CPU-ID will show that 1600MHz slower speed and will show one core & two threads. When going back the the original 2.66GHz P4/533 NON-HT, it did take a few reboots from cold start to reset the CMOS and pick back up where it originally was with the 2.66GHz CPU.
So after some serious tinkering and searching, I've come to these conclusions:
Hyperthreading should work @ 3.06GHz MAX (higher speeds will use 800FSB,) ONLY if you have the capability of a FSB of 533MHz, and a CPU which is NOT a mobile with SpeedStep, on at least PC2100 Ram. PC2100 is only 133MHz, but a P4 can use "quad-speed" technology for a 533FSB. PC2700 still works, and PC3200 is more "universal" once you finally retire the 2400. They DO run fairly well on Win7, but I do suggest you invest about $10-$30 used (auction) on a GeForce 6200PCI card or other WIN7 compatible with 256-512MB if you plan to use Google-Earth. You CAN find a standard VGA (Intel 845-WIN7/Vista) driver for the stock on-board that works well enough for WIN7 basic stuff, but not "enough" video for Google-Earth under Win7, which DID previously work under XP absolutely fine, go figure..... The CPUs (disclaimer- risk is all on you...) that supposedly work in the 2400 of BIOS rev A05 are the S-codes as follows: All are SL series, SL6S5, SL6SM, SL6QC, SL6PG, SL6JJ, SL6K7, and the fastest 400FSB will be an SL7EY at 2.8GHz for the DIM2350's and equivalent HP A305w which is their closest equivalent to the 2400, but on a 400FSB max.

 

[NYgnat]

Update: The best Bang4Buck on updating ANY of the Dimension 2400 or equivalent chipset Motherboards (HP, Compaq, and others all have similar MB's too) is to pop in either a SL6PG or a SL6S5 CPU which are 3.06GHz HT Northwood CPUs. About $30 or so. Then Win7 Ultimate runs nicely with 2GB Ram. These two CPUs even work in an old PowerEdge 600SC Server too for a noticeable boost in performance.
Note: None of the Speed-Step or 800MHz CPUs will work. These 2 WILL. I've used both, and you will need to update BIOS setting to enable HT if you want, but you don't have to, you can just run single-mode and 3.06GHz flat out, which still isn't bad at all. If you run BOINC/SETI etc., you can then run two projects at the same time in HT mode.