Upgrading CPU on a Dell Vostro 200

[Shane501]

I wanted to upgrade my CPU, so I looked and looked to find what my motherboard is and what CPU's it will support and I decided on one, bought it on amazon.com eagerly awaiting it's arrival, thinking that all I had to do was put it in and turn on my computer.

When I put the CPU in and try to turn the computer on the power button (which is normally blue) turns orange and all the fans run as fast as they can, I get nothing on the monitor or keyboard.

So I googled it and found out I had an old BIOS(1.0.5) I then updated that on the dell website, now that problem is fixed.(BIOS 1.0.16)

But it still wouldn't work so I looked some more found out about CMOS and I cleared that(I did reset it but I had to go through the BIOS with the old CPU still inside.)

But I still have the same problem, and the weird thing is that if I put the old CPU back in it works fine.

How do I use the jumpers on my motherboard?

Will they cause damage?

System Specs
Dell Vostro 200
Motherboard: Foxconn G33m02
OS: Windows XP SP3
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual E2160 1.80Ghz
RAM: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM(2x512MB)
Graphics card: Radeon 5450 1GB
BIOS 1.0.16

Upgrade
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 670 3.8Ghz

Sorry for improper use of any terms this is the first time I have tried anything like this and I don't really know what I'm doing.

Thanks for your help.

 

[clutchc]

I can't believe that single core P4 was even on your board's CPU support list. You didn't get an upgrade anyway. Its faster yes, but it only has a single core. Depending on which model Vostro you have, it may only support dual core processors.

 

[Shane501]

What's the difference between single and dual core?

Thanks for responding so fast.

 

[clutchc]

What's the difference between single and dual core?

Thanks for responding so fast.

The core is the part of the processor that does the calculations. Having 2 cores on one processor die is preferable to only one core. A dual core is almost like having 2 CPUs. Especially now that most (all?) programs are multi core aware.

 

[clutchc]

I'm not 100% certain that this is the only dual core processors your board will support, but it is at least a list to start with:
Core 2 Duo, E8400, 3.0GHz
Core 2 Duo, E8500, 3.16GHz
Core 2 Duo, E8600, 3.33GHz

Any of these will be an UPGRADE, and should work with your BIOS now that you updated.

 

[Shane501]

Here is the list of supported CPU's

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/cpusupportlist.aspx?type=mb&socket=Socket+775&model=G33M&cputype=Intel

Would an Intel Core 2 Quad 3.0Ghz Be better?(Q9650)
Actually just found out that vostro 200 with G33m02 won't support quad cores.

 

[Shane501]

So is it a compatibility issue?

 

[clutchc]

So is it a compatibility issue?

The problem with that list, is that it is for the retail version of the Foxconn G33m02 motherboard. Dell may have had a proprietary version of that board designed for their PCs. It may not exactly meet the specs/BIOS of the retail version. Did you get the BIOS update through Dell or from the Foxconn website?

Also, is your PC the tower or one of the slimline versions of the Vostro?

 

[Shane501]

I got the BIOS from dell, and technically it's the "mini tower," I'm not sure how because now this thing is massive.

But the Core 2 Duo, E8600, 3.33GHz should work, right?

 

[clutchc]

I got the BIOS from dell, and technically it's the "mini tower," I'm not sure how because now this thing is massive.

But the Core 2 Duo, E8600, 3.33GHz should work, right?

If your BIOS is version 1.0.16, or higher, it should according to Dell. And assuming the CPU is not defective.

 

[Shane501]

Cool.

So was it acting that way due to a compatibility issue?(Sorry if I'm repeating myself on this one.)

 

[clutchc]

Cool.

So was it acting that way due to a compatibility issue?(Sorry if I'm repeating myself on this one.)

I'm not sure. If I hadn't seen that MB/CPU compatibility list you posted, I would have said yes. But according to that list, the old single core Prescott (P4) processor should have worked too. If you are curious contact the Dell forum and ask around. There may be some obscure reason Dell's version of that board doesn't recognize the old P4.
Or maybe the P4 you bought was defective?

 

[Shane501]

I bought it on amazon and it said it was "tested, like new..."