i'm in a real jam here [comp prob]

[redbone]

i appreciate all that responded to my last computer questions, but thought i'd start a new thread for the latest problem:

i know i need more ram so
i'll explain EXACTLY what i did, and the results;

1. shut computer off and disconnected all the cables.
2. set on table, put on esd strap and opened cover.
3. located ram card, removed it and copied the numbers from it to aid in ordering another
4. noticed it was very dirty inside and thought it should be cleaned.
[the fan was real filthy and the onlyway to remove the fan is to remove the cpu and the heat sink connected to it.]
5. i rmvd cpu and heat sink.
6. rmvd fan assembly
7. cleaned all parts mostly by hand and using a little key board brush.
8. reassembled and reconnected cables [inside and out]
9. fired it up and got NOTHING BUT FAN.
no monitor
no keyboard
no beeps at start up
the pwr lite on start button will only glow yellow

* a couple things i do see are, the LED on mobo is lit, and the lite at the network card lites when plugged it to network cable.

hope this is enough info, if more needed send pm or i'll check thread often.

the computer is a DELL DIMENSION E521

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
THANKS AGAIN,
REDBONE

[Spider]

Hit it on the side?

[rpgoerlich]

Might re-check the CPU for bent pins since you pulled it.
Pull and re-seat the RAM.

[redbone]

RP,
thanks for responding. i pulled that cpu 3 times and found bent pins everytime and straightnened them. only one or two though. it is a real sh!tty design how that cpu plugs back in. it's on a hinged plenum type device and it is impossible to see if the pins are lining up until it's pulled again and look at the pins. a catch 22 really.
did resaet ram card many times too.
thanks

[randy]

Are you sure you didn't knock any jumpers loose when you were cleaning? JAT

[Ivan]

In my experience, when you see bent pins on a CPU, you should be looking at a new CPU. I have never been able to straighten pins with any success. I think it destroys the connections inside the chip.

For future reference, a can of compressed air is probably the best thing for cleaning dust out of the fan and such.

If you don't get any post errors, meaning beeps or flashing lights, its a crap shoot. Pretty much have to retrace any and all things you did. I'd start by pulling the extra RAM. If your computer is old enough, it may take a BIOS flash to get it to recognise the extra ram. Also, if the new ram is a format the old board can't habdle that can cause it not to post. Meaning if your board was pre DDR2 or 3, it probably won't handle anything more than the old standard (SDRAM?)

As much fun as it is to build a new computer, upgrading can be equally frustrating.

[lakecountrydave]

Everything Ivan said +1

[Ivan]

Everything Ivan said +1

What he means is:
Everything Ivan said +0x0001

[79XS11F]

If that amber light on the MB is where the RAM goes in it means the RAM is not accepted or is not properly seated. You need a green light by the RAM. Also, adding Ram may not be helpful if the CPU and MB is not designed to manage that added RAM. Windows also, depending on which version your running, can only manage so much RAM. Installing more RAM then windows can manage will not be helpful for windows managed software. How much RAM did you have and what did you put in. Some types of RAM only work when installed in pairs, example, 2 x 8, 2 X 16, 2 X 32. 2 X 64 etc., It depends on the MB. If the CPU is installed properly and nothing else changed, the new RAM is the likely cause of your issue. Windows can not boot up if there no RAM available. Will it start in "safe mode"?
Rob

[redbone]

79xs,
thanks for responding, but, i did not add any ram. i simply removed the existing ram card to record the numbers on it and replaced it in the same slot.
the amber lite on the MB is not near the ram. it is on the MB near the rear of the comp. hope this helps.
thanks again
redbone

[79XS11F]

Will it boot up in safe mode?
Rob

[redbone]

o.k. all, i just got it working 20 mins ago. [caveat ;remember i have no computer skills]
after doing reserch today i figured that the cpu was not seated properly. believe it or not [read caveat above] i did not know that the cpu was glued onto that heat sink with compound. after i pried it apart and could ACTUALLY SEE what i was doing i got it to seat proper.
it started a litttle, but with error beeps. i opened it again and reseated ram card for 5th time and that did it. it started, but i do still need to get more ram. will research that 2moro.

thanks again for the input. you'll hear from me again.
redbone

[Elevener]

I hope you at least cleaned and applied new thermal paste, something tells me you didnt though.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Redbone,

Didn't you have an unlock lever that you had to move/lift up before you could remove the CPU?? I don't see how you could access it with the heatsink still in place? Also, IF you didn't apply fresh heatsink compound when you replaced the heatsink you may have FRIED your CPU, doesn't take long with the amount of heat that these newer stronger CPU's generate, the heatsink and thermal paste is VITAL!

You can get the paste at your local Radio Shack, or computer store. Good Luck!
T.C.

[cywelchjr]

The E521 IIRC has an AMD CPU and it WILL fry if it's not properly connected to the heatsync (with the proper compound). I actually pull the CPU on my laptop about once a year and clean the heatsync and fan and clean and replace the thermal compound. I use artic silver 5 and make sure to get the cleaning kit for it as well and clean the old compound off first.

Also, you need about a rice grain size bit of heat sync compound, any more will cause problems, any less won't do the job, and in either case it won't do the job of you don't clean the CPU and heat sync first. If you don't have skills, except for the RAM chips or plug in cards you shouldn't remove anything, just get a can of air from the local electronics store for blowing out the dust. You are very lucky you didn't kill the CPU, they are VERY fragile!

On the memory, any compentent computer shop should be able to look up what memory your system uses.