20 Most Recent Dell Dimension 4600 PC Desktop - Page 4 Questions & Answers

your PCs energysystem are proberly made to save energy.this can bechanged in the contrlpanel loo under energyprofiles.there of the change of powerlight colour.

I actually did a little research on this one. I downloaded the User Manual for this board. USUALLY, there is a jumper on the board somewhere that needs to be set in the correct position. I looked through the manual and can't find a jumper for this . I even looked through the bios setting just in case it might be covered there, no luck. If you can't find an undocumented jumper on the board somewhere labeled something like TRPWR, then I would try the reset next. My suggestion would be to use the LCRTC jumper to reset the board. Heres the procedure according to page 1-17 of your manual:

Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords.
1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5-10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.
3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to reenter data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the jumper again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMDS, reinstall the battery.

You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the CPU Parameter Recall (C.P.R) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values.

If its truely in sleep mode, and won't come out of sleep mode. Unplug the computer from its power, hold the power button down for 5-15 sec, then wait 2-5 full minutes. Then plug it back in, and turn it on. If that doesn't work it is NOT stuck in sleep mode. Most dell computers I've worked with the caps go out in the power supply and/or the motherboard. I would next clean out the computer with canned air, check the caps on the motherboard, and in the power supply. If there are any bad caps, replace them, and it should fix it. Hopefully though the above paragraph fixes your problem.

take out the small battery lithium from +3vdc and measure it, it is lower replace, and clean the contacts, control the RAM, for many different opeation. and try again.If the problem persist you have problem with the power supply, replace it.God bless you

DETAILS,DETALS.

June,The Dell Dimension 4100 Desktop PC, utilizes an AGP slot on the motherboard, for a graphics card.http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/17152514/17275500.aspxThere are different styles of AGP expansion slots.The one on your motherboard was the last current style of AGP -AGP 8XTherefore your Dimension 4100 uses an AGP 8X graphics card.It is (Was) an Nvidia GeForce FX5200 graphics card, and the AGP 8X style.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGPTo replace it just use a graphics card that is AGP 8X, and is better, or equivalent to the GeForce FX5200.You also need to know that your Power Supply in your computer, will handle the power requirements for the computer system, AND your new found AGP 8X graphics card.Power Supply was rated, at a maximum Wattage rating of 200 Watts.Problem is; that back in the day when the Dimension 4100 was made, the Power Supply manufacturer 'Fudged' the real Wattage specifications.Power was (Is) more like 60 to 70 percent of what is stated.Divide 200 Watts by 10= 20Now take that times 6, for 60 percent.= 120 WattsNow take that times 70, for 70 percent.= 140 WattsACTUAL powerhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4410189&CatId=2234I would recommend this one, but it requires 250 Watts MINIMUM,http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=853908&CatId=2234[Graphics card manufacturers, base the Minimum power requirements for their graphics cards; based on a test computer system.So the Minimum power requirement stated, is not only for the graphics card; but ALSO the rest of the computer.The test computer system is usually based, on all of the top of the line, power consuming hardware components; of that timeTop of the line powerful Processors, and Motherboards.Add to that the maximum amount of Ram Memory, that can be used.Two optical drives, (CD/DVD drive)Processor fan, and at least two computer case fans ]KNOW THIS:A) FOLLOW Anti-Static ProceduresYour body carries Static electricity. Static WILL fry out (Short Circuit), the delicate hardware components inside a computer.Relieve your body of Static BEFORE reaching inside your computer, and BEFORE taking any new parts out of their Anti-Static bags, or cartons.Computer on a table, computer Unplugged from power, computer case open;TOUCH an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of the open computer case.This action will relieve your body of Static.IF, you leave your computer in the middle of working on it, be SURE to Touch the metal frame again upon your returnB) Windows running on your computer, PUT the Installation disk that comes with the graphics card, in your optical drive tray.(CD/DVD drive)Install ALL software.There will be Drivers you are installing, and also a graphical user interface. (GUI)The GUI for an Nvidia graphics card, (Evga GeForce 6200 is an Nvidia card), is the Nvidia Control Panel.(For ATI it's Catalyst Control Center)Driver: Small piece of software that allows the Operating System to communicate with a deviceIn this case the device is the graphics card.What version of Windows operating system was not stated.-> AFTER <- you have installed the software, and if it asks you do you wish to restart your computer; the answer is -> NOClose all windows, go back to your desktop screen.Now turn the computer off normally.Follow Anti-Static Procedures, and Physically install the graphics card.Note*The AGP expansion slot on the motherboard, will have a type of Locking Arm on it. With most the end of the arm, has a 'fingerdip' in it. Makes it look as though you press DOWN, on the end of the Locking Arm, in order to release it. (Unlock)Actually you GENTLY pull up a little on the PLASTIC Locking Arm, to release it.Release to remove the old graphics card, and to install the new one.After the new graphics card is installed, attach the monitor cable to it, and close the computer case.Turn the computer on.You MAY have to go into the Nvidia Control Panel, and set Screen resolution, and other parameters.(Look up your monitor by it's manufacturer name, and model number. {Back of monitor - Model Number}See what the Screen resolution is.Example - 1280 x 800 pixelsSet Color quality to High (32 bit)Have additional questions please post in a Comment, or Reply.(Below my solution)[When a device is installed on a computer with Windows, Windows will 'break it's neck' to find suitable, matching drivers.If THE drivers are not there, Windows will match up one of it's THOUSANDS of generic drivers.This = NOA Driver Conflict can result.Windows: "Which drivers do I use? These or THESE?"With THE drivers installed first, Windows will find them.

Lets start at the ram always place the largest ram module closest the CPU central processing unit. One bad lead can cause a computer to continue on a cycle of restarting or to shutdown or fail to detect/ boot up a computer hard drive WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Remove the memory modules from their slots. Take the opportunity to clean the slots on the motherboards and the memory module connectors. Use compressed air to blow dust away and clean contacts with a soft cloth. Do not use a metallic vacuum cleaner if it touches any component it may create a short and cause damage to the motherboard or other components. Do not use solvent that may attract dust and never poke things like cotton buds in to slots. lightly rub an alcohol (Methylated Spirits) on a cloth not to hard let the alcohol do the work on the copper gold or silver tabs and r Allow the pins to dry. They will air dry in a matter of minutes. If reseating the memory did not resolve the issue try swapping the location of the memory. If you have only one stick of memory in the computer try moving it to another slot and then boot the computer. Check the memory module and memory slot contacts. They are either copper tin or gold. The colour will tell you which they are. Mixing tin and gold can result in corrosion that prevents proper contact. Look for any sign of physical damage to the memory module, memory slots or the motherboard. Reseat the memory modules. You should hear an audible click when they are in place. Do not use too much force to reseat the memory module in to the slot this can cause damage to the module, slot or motherboard. The hardware that you are trying to access is damaged or failing. The device drivers for the hardware are faulty or incompatible. Could be a problem with the Hard Drive or the Hard drives PCB http://www.onepcbsolution.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0Qd_3wFWM There is a connection problem such as a bad cable for internal hard drives Test all power and data leads that attach to your hard drive IDE,SATA the leads from your MOTHERBOARD TO THE HARD DRIVE make sure they have a secure dust free connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty if its a flat 40pin ide this will be the first to fail Make sure all leads that are attached to your drives dvd\cd and floppy (If Applicable) have secure connections and are not faulty. or just replace them they could be faulty a computer needs power and data to travel through every working device and continue its cycle and have an end so any faulty leads will end up with a computer error http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-service-pack-3-sp3if you need more help with this post a reply

Do you have a question? You drivers can be found here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/dimension-4600

Here's Dell's page for changing the battery for a Dimension 8300:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8300/sm/battery.htm

Overheating When the CPU overheats then it will shut down (i.e. thermal overload) and won't boot up again until it has cooled down. If this is the problem is not fixed then the CPU will eventually fail. A faulty fan causes the problem or the fan and heat sink assembly are clogged with dust. Check the CPU fan to see if it spins freely, if not replace the fan. If the fan and heat sink is clogged with dust the remove the dust and make sure the vents are clear and dust free. Use a small brush and can of compressed air to do this.

You could do the following; when you boot up, the screen will tell you to press ENTER if you want to get into the operating system RESTORE MODE. When you set up your system you will have saved configuration settings, and hopefully, you would have carried out a number of saved "BackUp's" of your HardDrive as you used your computer. If you did, you can carry out a 'Go Back To A Previous Setting'. You will lose any files you created since that previous time but it does get you back into your drive. Did you not create an Administrators Password BackUp Disc? If you did use that. Good Luck. George

Hello Yvonne,this error message when your sound device is disabled. Try clicking on System in control panel then Device Manager then Sound and Game Controllers for the sound device installed on your computer. Click on the device you have used and then Enable Device.Thank You,Dell-Jesse LDell Social Media and Communities

ether that's your game engine drive software or software for your game sound drive package. it's asking to install? to use that software? it's using that software? you can go to options check selection if it an option select it if available to use it may even have some of it's own options loaded in the game options.
check it out.
please take if this help or give more input for feed back.
good luck

Where did you get the Windows Installation disk? It may be a counterfeit, Illegal, bootleg copy. Have you ever used it before?

Click here.

Restart your computer During the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup usually the Delete or the F2 key Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS the using arrow key scroll down to advanced bios features press enter change your first boot device to cd,press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart note this will erase you operating system you will have to have an operating system disk to load it onto you hard drive or create a partition to load another operating system (note after you have loaded the operating system you should go back and change the first boot device to your failsafe or optimized defaults) after windows has loaded your computer will automatically restart it might restart 2 times one to finish the installation the next will be because the operating system is loaded and will boot from your cd during the boot process you will see on the screen to press a certain key to enter setup Press and hold that key during the boot up process to enter BIOS using the arrow keys load failsafe defaults or load optimized defaults press escape then press f10 to save to cmos to restart otherwise it will keep booting from the cd /dvd drive

Over time a computer may experience a debilitating virus infection, system error or hard drive error rendering it unusable. Perform a restore on a Dell Dimension 4600 to resolve any problems the computer may encounter. The restoration will return the computer to the original operating condition, but all the software and other data stored to the hard drive will be erased during the process. Connect the external hard drive to the computer and wait for its folder to appear on the desktop. Copy and paste any valuable data, documents, photos or other files you want to save to the external hard drive's folder. Right-click the folder and choose "Eject" once the backup is complete. Remove any hardware devices, such as printers, MP3 players, scanners and PDAs, from the computer as they can be damaged during the restoration. Restart the computer and press the "F8" key when the Dell logo appears on the screen during the startup process. The "Advanced Boot Options Menu" will appear. Use the arrow keys to select the "Repair Your Computer" option and press "Enter." Select the language settings for your computer and click "Next." Log in with an administrator account and click "OK." Click on the "Dell Factory Image Restore" icon. Click "Next" in the window that appears and click the box for "Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition." Click "Next" to begin the restore process. The utility will return the computer to the factory settings and reformat the hard drive. Click "Finish" to restart the computer with the new operating condition in place.

hiif you want to remove your data reinstall windows, if you having trouble accessing your windows F8 is the safe mode feature to help you access and save data to another drive, eg usbif your computer wont boot into safe mode, then press delete F1 or F2 and go into your cmos settings and go to save data and press default settings save and restart.if that dosnt start then you have to reinstall windows as is, or remove the hard drive and plug into a another computer as a slave to try an access data you want from it.but theres no guarantees that will work, it depends on the hard drive and how corrupted or damaged the files are on it.i hope this helpscheers

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