Worst Thing that Could Happen?

[surfsk8snow.jah]

I'm gonna be replacing my GF's old Dell Processor with a new one I bought off d44ve. I've read a couple things online that say the max FSB it's mobo is capable of its 433, but I think the one I bought off d44ve is 500Mhz. (FYI, Dell said max RAM on that mobo is 512mb, I successfully installed 1gb w/ no problems and full OS recognition).
So, if I swap the proc, and there's a compatibility issue, what's the worst thing that could happen to the computer? Instability? I just reswap the old proc back in right?

Thanks

 

[DOM]

have you updated the bios ?

whats the model of the dell ?

 

[3991vhtes]

The worst thing that would happen is the motherboard wont post.

I tried to get a 333FSB athlon XP on my MSI KM2M combo, and it would only support 266FSB, and it didn't post.

 

[surfsk8snow.jah]

It's a Dell 4300.

So if it doesn't post, then I can just put the original proc back in, and it should post right?

 

[3991vhtes]

So if it doesn't post, then I can just put the original proc back in, and it should post right?

Yes.

 

[surfsk8snow.jah]

Oh, and no I haven't updated the bios. Where would I find a bios update for Dell machines, particularly the 4300?

Yes.

thx =)

 

[Namslas90]

Are you sure your 4300 has the right socket ? A lot of 4300's were socket 423 and some were 478 but not all.

Here's a link to your tech guidebook.

Get BIOS info here.

 

[surfsk8snow.jah]

Are you sure your 4300 has the right socket ? A lot of 4300's were socket 423 and some were 478 but not all.

Sheizer! That would be a suck. I guess I'll have to check when I open it up today. I guess if not, then what's the highest available stock clock speed on socket 423?
But, I believe that it's a 2.0Ghz, so that would imply a 478 right?

Thanks for those links, that helps a lot. But again, note too that the Dell Spec Sheet you linked (the one I was looking @ when purchasing the items online), says "Maximum Memory: 512MB", whereas I was able to post with 1gb easy, and windows fully recognizes all 1gb. Pretty shnazzy.

EDIT: Here's another link I referenced when purchasing upgrades: http://www.roberthancock.com/dell/
It's specifically oriented around upgrading older Dells.

 

[Namslas90]

Maximum Memory implies the memory installed.
Maximum Memory Supported is the max allowable on the board.

Dell tends to give less information to ensure more upgrade sales.

You may not succeed at 500 FSB.

Go here; they may have a BIOS mod available or be able to get you one if the board supports it.

 

[surfsk8snow.jah]

Go here; they may have a BIOS mod available or be able to get you one if the board supports it.

Ay. I'll check that out. THanks... but dude, is there no search function on their forums!? how digital are their lives if they don't even use search algorithms, pshhhhhh.. haha

 

[hat]

You will be able to recgonize wether it is socket 423 or socket 478 when you take the heatsink off the CPU currently on. Socket 423 had just the core on it with exposed wafer and cache like the PIIIs and Socket A processors. Socket 478 has the Integrated Heat Spreader.

//worst thing that could happen is it won't post, and it might even yell (beep) at you. If so, just slap the old CPU back in.

 

[surfsk8snow.jah]

Ai chihuahua!!
So first off, I should have updated the bios first before i tried swapping the thing, but I didn't. I might try this another day, but I'm pooped out for now.

1) The 533mhz fsb proc did not work, but the interface was 478.
2) I couldn't put the damn OG proc back in because it was epoxied to the heatsink! So I couldn't manipulate the lever to seat the old proc back. Took me bout half-hr to shear the proc off the heatsink, and then I put the old one back in.
BOOM
3) Millions of errors... first wouldnt even turn on. I swapped out all the parts with others, still didn't do nothing. I kept fiddling, swapping, and unplug/replugging, and finally it turned on.
Before Post: "Invalid Configuration Information", then rebooted again, and gave me: "Performing Automatic IDE Configuration" then it turned off and wouldn't turn on again. I couldn't even get into Bios setup w/ F2, F10, or Del... non worked. The post codes on the back didn't match anything on Dell's website... everything was jacked. I kept resetting the CMOS to try to get back into setup and it wouldn't work.

FINALLY, after 2.5hrs of nervous sweating, and having my gf's dad breathing down my back over his completely dissembled computer. about to piss my pants cuz he looks like he's gonna beat the crap outta me, I took the CMOS batt out and put it back in a couple times, and got into Setup: Immediately Alt-F2 to reset all bios config.
Now it would post, but gave me a bunch of heat errors, then "Plug&Play Configuration Error, Press F1 to continue, or F2 to Setup"
F1 successfully gets me back into windows, everything's fine again. Shew.

However, everytime I reboot, I get the same Plug&Play error msg. I can't figure out which Plug&Play Device is going wrong. WiFi adapter works, Printer works, USB, PS/2, & Keyboard all work, Sound Card works... I'm confused. Any help here?

So, that was definitely THE worst thing that could have happened. O.M.G... I think I'm done with that computer for a while, not worth risking my GF over haha.
oh man.

P.S. - Thank GOD for that computer rebooting... it was slightly miraculous.

 

[DOM]

whats the Service Tag # should be some where on the top on the sides