Dell XPS 435mt will no longer turn on after new memory install

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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
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Do you hear any beeps coming from the PC when you push power button?

From the manual:

Beep Codes
Your computer might emit a series of beeps during start-up if the monitor cannot display errors or problems. The following repetitive beep codes help you troubleshoot problems with your computer.

One beep
BIOS ROM checksum failure - possible motherboard failure

Two beeps
No RAM detected - Remove the memory modules, reinstall one module and restart the computer. If
the computer starts normally, reinstall an additional module. Continue until you have identified a faulty module or reinstalled all modules without an error. If available, install memory modules of the same type in your computer.

Three beeps
Possible motherboard failure.

Four beeps
RAM read/write failure - Ensure that no special memory module/memory connector placement requirements exist (see http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_studio_xps_desktop/studio-xps-435_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf).
Verify that the memory modules that you are installing are compatible with your computer.

Five beeps - Real Time Clock failure Replace the battery.

Six beeps - Video BIOS test failure

Source http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_studio_xps_desktop/studio-xps-435_Setup%20Guide_en-us.pdf

Anything?
 
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N

NannerSauce

Reputable
Aug 14, 2015
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4,510
Hi,

Thank you for the response. There are no beeps at all coming from the computer. It is not able to turn on at all. Normally the power button glows orange when not on, but right now it has a VERY dim orange flicker.
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515


Orange or amber power light - sign of dead or almost dead motherboard, some say power supply.
In any way there is not much too loose, so try this http://www.instructables.com/id/Fix-the-Dell-OLOD-Orange-Light-Of-Death/

Also read this, that one doesn't include wire cutting http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/6230-2-orange-light-dell-gx270-power-button

on this thread fast forward past my suggestions to the very last post http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1750962/dell-blinking-amber-power-button.html it is similar to the second link

So try first second and third links, report back before cutting green wire (first link).

We will figure it out.
 
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NannerSauce

Reputable
Aug 14, 2015
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4,510
Thank you for the detailed response. One thing I noticed in these forums is the difference between lights and beeps. I want to make it clearer what I am experiencing. The green light on the power supply is on. The orange light on the MOBO is on. The power light is flickering a very dull orange (during normal operation it will glow this same color orange while asleep/off and then glow white when turned on). I saw a lot of information about beeps, which I am not experiencing. Also, there was discussion about the power button light turning Amber or green, which I am also not experiencing. It seems as if the power button is being underpowered.

So far I've tried taking out the 24pin connector to the mother board for 15 minutes, still didn't turn on (same situation as before). I also tried disconnecting all power from HDD, CD, etc and left one stick of Ram. Still same situation as before and would not turn on. I think when I get back home I'll try as disconnect the CMOS battery for a bit longer (I think I only did it for maybe a minute last time). After that I may have to dive a bit deeper in the forums.
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515
Read third option everything, since it doesn't require cutting wires, just try and read the last post in option 3, try them all except option 2. Small battery has to be out for at least 20-30 minutes, don't forget to push and hold power button for at least 20 seconds, first before removal of the battery and then right after, to make sure there are no electricity left in motherboard.
 
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NannerSauce

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Aug 14, 2015
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4,510
"Read third option everything, since it doesn't require cutting wires, just try and read the last post in option 3, try them all except option 2. Small battery has to be out for at least 20-30 minutes, don't forget to push and hold power button for at least 20 seconds, first before removal of the battery and then right after, to make sure there are no electricity left in motherboard."

Should I try this with one stick of ram? Should it be my new ram or old ram? Thanks again
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515


RAM, it is hard to guess since I don't know your new RAM, may be it is not compatible. So I would recommend to use old RAM, if it will work, you can change RAM and do the same trick again.

GET ME MODEL OF NEW RAM before you do anything, and check if you still can return it.:colere:
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515
I can not explain exactly what happened, except one thing timing. Generally Dell supports 9-9-9-24 and yours is 7-7-7-18, that could be a problem, so return it and look for correct timings from Crucial, Corsair and Kingston - those almost always work. G Skill has some issues at times, remember complains before as well.
I use Corsair Vengeance, all good.

I doubt someone can come up with better idea.
 
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NannerSauce

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Aug 14, 2015
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Alright, I went through a whole bunch of possible solutions at it seemed most likely to be the power supply. I decided to buy one that was recommended for my board. http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16817139026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566
My computer will now turn on. However an error pops up:
CMOS checksum error
press F2 to Run SETUP
Press F1 to load default values and continue

I am not familiar with this error. Any advice here?
 
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NannerSauce

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Aug 14, 2015
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Also, the mother board made 5 short beeps when it turned on. Which seems to mean there was an error with the keyboard (it also said that on the screen, but it has disappeared since seemingly finding my wireless Logitech keyboard).
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515
If you can start your PC any time now, turn it off, disconnect power cable, press and hold power button for at least 20 seconds, next open your PC, look for a shinny round object on your motherboard, it is CMOS battery, note how it is placed, remove it for at least 30 minutes, once removed, press and hold power button for 20 seconds, put everything back together, use your best working technique to start a PC, any errors?
I would actually recommend to purchase new battery, if you still have an original one, it is not expensive, RadioShack has it.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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After putting the battery back in - boot to BIOS and reset your date and time. Your links to the new DRAM didn't work but it is/was probably the problem if a newer model (last three years or so, since most all made is using High density memory chips which your rig doesn't support. What's the model #
 
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NannerSauce

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Aug 14, 2015
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MY PC BOOTED!!! After leaving the CMOS battery out for a few hours I came back and plugged it back it. Here are the new components that I had plugged and what I did.
- I hooked up my new Corsair CX430 PSU
- One stick of new 2GB G.skill memory. DDR3-1333 PC3-10666, CL7-7-7-18 1.5v
- everything else was plugged in previously to my computer not turning on (a Samsung Evo SSD, OEM 750 GB HDD, CD/RW drive, and graphics card, sound card, and wireless card all plugged directly into the motherboard)

I put the CMOS battery back in as instructed and booted to BIOS using F2. There I checked that my memory was being read correctly, which it was (@1333mhz speed!!). Also, I changed the date and time as suggested.

Then I saved and exited and it booted to windows just like it did before! What a relief. I think I may add the 5 other sticks of memory since it seems to be reading my new memory properly! Thank you for your help.
 
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NannerSauce

Reputable
Aug 14, 2015
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Alright, I installed all 6 sticks of 2gb DDR3 memory and everything is looking more or less fine. I booted to Bios to make sure my system recognized everything. All 12GB at 1333mhz were recognized with timings of 7-7-7-18.
However, when I ran CPU-z the speed was shown as 1066mhz. Is there a way I can fix this? I have seen quite a few forums saying my MOBO can support 1333mhz. I also saw on other forums to enable XMP profiles in your bios, but I believe that is for overclocking, which I am not doing. You guys are great!!
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

Splendid
Jan 24, 2013
3,462
3
22,515


That was Dell gimmick, actually when looking for your problem, I went through numerous posts at Dell Community Forums and all users were upset over RAM speed of 1066, not a single one stated that he/she got 1333, so just relax, nothing you can do over Dell BIOS.
 
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