Dell is dead

N

Ninja250R

New Member
Hi, my dell died :( I've had it since 06. I will build a computer for the first time. I want something inexpensive as I am not a gamer and only use my computer for base needs.

I found these on newegg. Total is 330.00. I am not 100% sure if the parts are compatible with one another and am hoping to get guided in the right direction.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131942

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131496

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028
 
yes all those parts will work together, however if your using the pc for basic things, then you can take that graphics card off and just use the integrated as it will be fine for what you are using the pc for. and what about hard drives and dvd drives?...memory card reader
 
Thanks for replying. I'm glad to know about the integrated graphics so I'll listen and won't get the graphics card.

I should have mentioned what I already have,
1. monitor, 2. hard drive, 3. windows 8, 4. keyboard/mouse

The memory card reader I don't need/want just yet but I do want a cd/dvd drive. However, tbh I don't really understand them. What I want is to be able to watch dvd's and if I can also burn dvd's then that is even better. I found this on newegg for 22.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136270 but it says dvd burner, does that mean it only burns dvd's or am I to assume that a dvd burner also plays dvd's.

Also the cpu i got is an athlon II X3. But honestly i'm not too sure where this cpu stands relative to other CPU's because I'm just not informed on anything amd. With intel I'm atleast aware of the hierarchy, i7, i5, i3. So I'm wondering what this athlon II X3 is roughly comparable to on the intel side. I'm sure it's not as simple as that but if i can get a rough idea of where the this amd chip stands I would be reassured. I'm hoping it's in the neighborhood of the i3.
 
All DVD burners burn DVDs. The only consideration is if you want Blue RAy (to watch BR discs) or dual layer DVDs so you can burn 8.5GB DVDs.

My other question is what is wrong with your Dell. You may find it cheaper and better to simply replace what is busted or upgrade?
 
Okedokey said:
All DVD burners burn DVDs. The only consideration is if you want Blue RAy (to watch BR discs) or dual layer DVDs so you can burn 8.5GB DVDs.

My other question is what is wrong with your Dell. You may find it cheaper and better to simply replace what is busted or upgrade?
Click to expand...

I don't know what is wrong with the dell. It does system dump, and blue screens and what not. Something had been wrong with it for several months, whenever I started up the computer it wouldn't make it to where it shows the windows logo, but instead would say press F1 to continue, so i did and it would continue as it would have normally. I used my computer like this for many months knowing that something was obviously wrong. Now it won't boot into windows. I tried reinstalling windows 8 and it gives me errors along the way. So I brought out my original windows xp cds that came with the computer and tried to install those twice what again it just won't.

To be honest I've been waiting for it to croak so I can finally get myself a new computer. It's an Intel core 2 duo e6600 and I imagine that's at least several generations removed from the current chips.
 
Sounds like a harddrive that needs replacing. And to be honest, if that is all you need, and the computer was satisfactory, don't waste your money.

F1 error could indicate the SATA health check warning you that the HDD was failing, now that it has, you cannot enter windows, or install it.

I would definitely check the HDD regardless, particularly if you plan on using it in your new machine. If it checks out, you can use it, however if it is bad, all you need to do is replace that, reinstall windows and save yourself 200 bucks at least.

Either way, a e6600 will still do internet, light gaming and FB no problems at all.

Check your hard drive.
 
If you can boot into Windows on the Dell use HDTune and/or Crystaldiskinfo.

If you do build the AMD machine I wouldn't get that high of a wattage PSU. Especially since you will not use a video card.
 
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Here is what I've already done. I purchased a new hard drive took out the old one and put in the new one. When I turned on the computer the same thing happened so I know that it is not the hard drive that is acting up. Besides I had already replaced my hard drive only 2 years ago so it's not that old. Btw what is says exactly is "Floppy diskette seek failure", "strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility"

.....So as I am typing this, I removed the new hard drive put the old one back in. Same problems. I hit the F1 key, it did what seemed like hundreds of 'correcting errors' then 'recovery's'. Computer restarted a couple time again I hit F1 to continue again the same pattern and on the 3rd try I am now on the desktop interface. And it's is the old original xp interface because that was what I tried to install last. Wierd, I am confused.
 
quick update: i restarted the computer and i was able to get to the desktop interface again, it didn't go there on its own as it still did the whole press the F1 key message. So my computer is fixed back to it's wacky setting before all this except now i am on a fresh windows xp instead of windows 8. I'm going to install drivers and I'm sure a million updates to xp before i can try to install windows 8 again.
 
straight to the point...if your willing to spend the $ for a new build, then do it. you are a bit behind in tech, and the new build will give you experience on a low budget. I see no reason in not doing a new build

(added)...just be sure that your hard rive is sata connection compatible
 
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I've been reading the Tech Guide sticky on the top about the different beeps(how many) the duration(long, short) and I'm convinced that the problem is either motherboard or ram, and I am REALLY leaning towards ram because when the computer gets into the desktop interface and I am in windows what happens is that if I try to do anything, say open internet explorer it does things really slow and eventually freezes and does the blue screen physical memory dump. TBH, it's tiring me out as I've been on this problem literally from when I woke up(13ish hours). I've gone ahead and put in the order on newegg so I am excited.

ps. I didn't ignore agentsmith's post on page 1 about downloading those 2 programs(diagnostics, I'm guessing?) but the computer just doesn't behave long enough for me to open up internet explorer let alone download and run the programs.

Anyways I'm pooped out. Thank you to those who replied to the thread to help me, I appreciate it. :good:
 
Hey guys I am bumping this thread to give an update.

I wasn't able to figure out and fix the problems with my old computer so I went ahead and purchased those parts from newegg that I had linked to and built my first computer. Infact, I am posting from it right now :) Everything seems to be working which has me slightly confused. In my preparations to build this thing I read on many different posts that I would have to do "driver downloads/updated" otherwise the computer might not function harmoniously yet things don't look that way. Am I missing something or is everything good to go?

Thanks again for the help.
 
Look in Device Manager and make sure there are no exclamation marks next to anything. If you get problems then you will know to update drivers.


I just noticed the PSU you bought. You could have got a lower wattage PSU. And the case doesn't support USB 3.0.
 
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Someone in this thread already mentioned about the possibility of getting a lower wattage PSU since I am not adding a Graphics Card. I thought about it and weighted it against the likelihood of me wanting to add upgrades in the near future that might require the 530 unit that I got. That is the reasoning behind it.

I am kind of thrown off about reading that "the case doesn't support USB 3.0". I imagine I am missing something about this but I always thought that the tower's only purpose is to house all the parts...and that the important things about it are size, airflow(fans), amount of slots, and some other stuff. Is it not the motherboard that determines whether or not USB 3.0 will be supported, why would the case matter?
 
The case matters due to wiring. Your MOBO supports USB 3.0, but since you have a case that doesn't support it you will only get USB 3.0 on the back and not the front headers.
 
Ah, I understand. BTW, I did what you said and checked the device manager and there are no exclamation marks.

Things are running smoothly and I am happy I went through with this. :D
 
Ninja250R said:
Thanks for replying. I'm glad to know about the integrated graphics so I'll listen and won't get the graphics card.

I should have mentioned what I already have,
1. monitor, 2. hard drive, 3. windows 8, 4. keyboard/mouse

The memory card reader I don't need/want just yet but I do want a cd/dvd drive. However, tbh I don't really understand them. What I want is to be able to watch dvd's and if I can also burn dvd's then that is even better. I found this on newegg for 22.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136270 but it says dvd burner, does that mean it only burns dvd's or am I to assume that a dvd burner also plays dvd's.

Also the cpu i got is an athlon II X3. But honestly i'm not too sure where this cpu stands relative to other CPU's because I'm just not informed on anything amd. With intel I'm atleast aware of the hierarchy, i7, i5, i3. So I'm wondering what this athlon II X3 is roughly comparable to on the intel side. I'm sure it's not as simple as that but if i can get a rough idea of where the this amd chip stands I would be reassured. I'm hoping it's in the neighborhood of the i3.
Click to expand...
I have used the AMD Rana 455 @3.3 GHz in a number of my computers. It works fine for what I require of it. I use my computers for pretty much what you use yours for. I have been building them for fun. I don't game.
 
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