So, my computer randomly freezes/doesn't start/reboots

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

Well, I have a Dell 400SC that i bought in 2003 on Windows XP Pro, P4 2.6 with 3 GB ram, 2 HDDs, and 2 DVD drives and a Samsung T260HD. A few months ago, the monitor would start to flicker once in a while, didn't think much about it because back then, i had a Dell 20" Ultrasharp which i had for many years as well, so just thought the monitor was going, so i got the Samsung. Well, the problem still persists with the Samsung, and is getting worse. Sometimes, the computer won't start (nothing at all, turn it on, blank, not even the bios screen), sometimes, it'd start but just go to a blank screen, sometimes, it would reboot by itself, and sometimes, it would just lock up. I disconnected all the USB devices except the mouse, and also the 2 DVD drives temporarily and stuck a fan blowing into the ps, and now, it seems to boot, but sometimes, it will still lock up. Yesterday, after locking up once or twice, it stayed on fine for like 5 hours. Today, it locked up in the morning, but it's been on for 3 hours no problems. So, i'm thinking, it's either the PS or mobo.

Oh, and the LAN keeps disconnecting and connecting a second later, but i think that has to do with the ooma because when i connect the ethernet to the dsl modem, it doesn't have this problem.

Any thoughts? Is it even worth trying to fix it, or just buy a new one from Dell for $300-400?

[UAIOE]

I'd say either PS or RAM.

Try taking out your RAM sticks one at a time and boot them to see if you have any problems.

[zuffy]

Time for a new motherboard so that mean a new PC.

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

i talked to my gf, she said it might be the hd.

[belboz]

I'd guess that some capacitors on your motherboard are failing. Open the case and inspect them to see if any are bulging or swollen. If so, then that's almost certainly your problem.

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

although i haven't ahd a chance to look at the mobo caps, it appears that the cap failure is relatively common.




http://www.interslice.org/dell400sc/capacitors.htm
http://www.tecnopolis.ca/tecnopolis/leakycaps.html

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/17279935.aspx

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=660

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

Well, I have a Dell 400SC that i bought in 2003

so you got one during the big sale and paid about $200 shipped for the base machine

You have had a good service life out of it (bang for hte buck), time to upgrade.

[4KRG]

The timing is amazing

Dell T100 server for $299

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...-2-0-ARTICLE-0

Dual Core Intel® Pentium®E5400, 2.70GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FS

1GB, DDR2, 800MHz, 1x1G, Single Ranked DIMM

and TWO - 160GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

Originally Posted by 4KRG

so you got one during the big sale and paid about $200 shipped for the base machine

You have had a good service life out of it (bang for hte buck), time to upgrade.

i paid a lot more than $200 for it

Free Upgrade to an Intel® P®4, 3.2GHz,800FSB at a 2.8 price Qty: 1 Unit Price: 798.00
Floppy Drive 3.5 in, 1.44MB, Floppy Drive
Mouse Logitec System Mouse, Gray
Hardware Support Services 1Yr,Parts + Onsite Labor (Next Business Day)
Operating System No Operating System, Microsoft
Memory 128MB DDR, ECC, 333MHz, 1X128MB
Monitor NO MONITOR OPTION
Keyboard Standard Windows Keyboard,Gray
Hard Drive Controller Controller Card,SCSI,21320,Internal,U3,Low Voltage Differential
Documentation Electronic Documentation, PowerEdge 400SC
Hard Drive Configurations C5, Drives Connected to SCSI Card, No Raid
1st Hard Drive 36GB 10K RPM SCSI Hard Drive Ultra 320
Installation Support Services No Installation
Network Adapter Onboard NIC
CD ROM/DVD ROM 48X CD-ROM
Mail-In Rebate Offer $100 Mail-In Rebate #42306! Redeem after system purchase at www.dell.com


Sub-Total $798.00
Discount -$100.00
Shipping $0.00
Estimated Tax $57.59
Total Price $755.59

i then promptly sold the 3.2 on ebay for $450 and bought a 2.6ghz(iirc, little less than $200 at the time), and of course, bought more ram and a video card that and dvd drive supported DVI

[E. Honda]

Performance wise, a computer ages 10 years for every 1 human year it is in use. So essentially, your computer is pushing 70 in human years. Time to buy a new machine.

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

Originally Posted by 4KRG

The timing is amazing

Dell T100 server for $299

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...-2-0-ARTICLE-0

Dual Core Intel® Pentium®E5400, 2.70GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FS

1GB, DDR2, 800MHz, 1x1G, Single Ranked DIMM

and TWO - 160GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive

yeah, i saw that, but i was hoping to get a PC with Win7.

[belboz]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

yeah, i saw that, but i was hoping to get a PC with Win7.

Assimilate now. Resistance is futile.

Seriously. MBP + Vmware Fusion + Windows XP= Best of all worlds.

[RichC2]

Originally Posted by belboz

Assimilate now. Resistance is futile.

Seriously. MBP + Vmware Fusion + Windows XP= Best of all worlds.

Hell a Dell w/ Hackintosh installed = Best of Both Worlds, no need for Vmware Fusion and it isn't anywhere near the rip off a MBP is (tho the $1150 model is almost reasonable these days).

In terms of Desktops, good deals are abound. My cousins bought their parents a Lenovo IdeaCenter with a Core2Duo 2.8GHz and 6GB of RAM for $419 a month ago (and now I get to sell it since the folks decided, right after they opened the box, that they want a Laptop instead).

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

i paid a lot more than $200 for it

I bought two of those around the same year (or maybe they are older) for $200 and change shipped (maybe like $250) only both of mine are still running strong If either failed today, they would just be tossed aside and replaced with something like the $299 T100. I think I replaced a hard drive in one of the Sc400's about a year ago, other than that they have been running great.

It was a crazy fatwallet deal like this one (but not this one, I don't remember a rebate)

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/deal...86488/?start=0

and I missed this one a few years later.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/expi...08061/?start=0

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

oh dang, i got ripped off then.

the t100 isn't bad, i'm just not in the mood to do an os install.

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

How is this computer?

HP Slimline s5300z Basic Desktop: Sempron 2.3 GHz, 2GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Premium 64-Bit $151

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthr...1#post26432953

[4KRG]

I am going to take a guess at it, but honestly I am not really up on that specific model.

The sempron processor would not be good as a desktop machine in today's world. but the upgrade to the one posted would be ok

AMD Athlon(TM) X3 425 triple-core processor from newegg for $76 FS

It would be as reliable as an equivalently priced dell

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

Originally Posted by 4KRG

I am going to take a guess at it, but honestly I am not really up on that specific model.

The sempron processor would not be good as a desktop machine in today's world. but the upgrade to the one posted would be ok

AMD Athlon(TM) X3 425 triple-core processor from newegg for $76 FS

It would be as reliable as an equivalently priced dell

yeah, i know the sempron is trash, but we'll see how bad the speed is, and i did see the 425 on newegg first before buying!

that is, if HP doesn't cancel...

[D.Pham4GLTE (>60GB)]

bastards canceled!

Dear Valued Customer,

Recently you purchased a HP Pavilion Slimline s5300z Desktop PC through the HP Home and Home Office Store. We apologize for the inconvenience, but your order was cancelled due to a pricing error. All funds including shipping have been credited back to your account.

If you would like to purchase this item at the correct price, please visit us at www.hpdirect.com or toll free at 1-888-999-4747 between 7:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M. (ET) Monday through Friday or on Saturday between 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. (ET).

Regards,
Customer Delivery
HP Home and Home Office