New Computer advice. - Page 2

manasecret · 07-06-2010, 05:58 PM

You were working on the PC with the power cord still plugged in?

Did you try pulling out the network card and rebooting? If it works after pulling it out, you might try plugging it back in (and make sure it's plugged in snug). I've had times when I've plugged in a new part for the first time, and the computer wouldn't boot. But then I took the new part out and plugged it right back in, and the computer booted fine.

Btw, you're right in the assumption that you would simply have two network cards, though with one obviously not working. It's been common for awhile for a network port to be included right on the motherboard.

Jason1 · 07-06-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasecret

You were working on the PC with the power cord still plugged in?

Did you try pulling out the network card and rebooting? If it works after pulling it out, you might try plugging it back in (and make sure it's plugged in snug). I've had times when I've plugged in a new part for the first time, and the computer wouldn't boot. But then I took the new part out and plugged it right back in, and the computer booted fine.

Btw, you're right in the assumption that you would simply have two network cards, though with one obviously not working. It's been common for awhile for a network port to be included right on the motherboard.

No, I was not working on the computer with the power cord plugged in. But, when I went to go hook everything back up, I plugged in the power cord before I had everything else hooked up, and I did not realize the computer was going to just come right on like that, so I quickly switched it back off.

And yes, I did unplug the network card which I had just installed, but that was not the problem. I dont know im pretty stumped with it, something is fried.

Jason1 · 07-21-2010, 05:04 PM

So, we finally got our new computer from Dell a few days ago. An inspirion 570. Very strangely, it appears the computer they sent us is actually better than the one we ordered. We were suppoused to get 4 Gig ram, and according to system information, we actually have 6, and we were suppoused to get a Athlon x2 2800, and we actually have an Athlon x3 2900.

In any event, I was wondering, is there any easy way to find out what motherboard we have in our system? So far I have tried programs like Everest, which gather detailed system information, but all it says under motherboard is "unknown" I really dont want to open up the cast as of yet, so is there any easy way to see the make and model of a motherboard? Strangeley I seem unable to get into the BIOS for this computer...does it have something to do with Dell locking all that stuff out?

Anyways we paid just over 400 dollars alltogether for this computer and I think we got some pretty good bang for the buck.

manasecret · 07-21-2010, 05:16 PM

Sweet deal! The easiest way to find out the motherboard info without opening up the case is to get into the BIOS. Dell may try to lock you out by making it non-obvious, but it should still be possible. Try pressing any number of buttons on boot up -- Delete and any one of the F buttons are usually the ones. If all else fails... mash the keyboard at start up until it gets to the BIOS!

Jason1 · 07-21-2010, 07:16 PM

Well after some messing around I was able to enter the BIOS, but it still doesent really tell me anything more...The main page of the BIOS, where I would assume it should list the motherboard, only lists this:

System info
System: Inspiron 570
BIOS version: A01
Service Tag: 8JMVLM1

Along with other stuff such as processor and RAM, it lists V2.63 American Megatrends at the bottom of the screen, which I assume is simply the BIOS software version...

Its not a huge deal right now, but I do decide to add a dedicated graphics card in the future, it would be nice to know which mobo I have.