System testing software?

  • Thread starter Thread starter M'Balz Es-Hari
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M'Balz Es-Hari

I recently had a HD die on a Dell dimensions 4300.
I replaced & after about 3 months, the new one suffered the same fate.
As I install the latest replacement, is there any type of testing or
diagnostic software that might tell me if there is an underlying problem
that is causing the HD failures?
 
M'Balz Es-Hari said:
I recently had a HD die on a Dell dimensions 4300.
I replaced & after about 3 months, the new one suffered the same fate.
As I install the latest replacement, is there any type of testing or
diagnostic software that might tell me if there is an underlying problem
that is causing the HD failures?
Click to expand...

I would first measure all the voltages with a _digital_ meter because
a bad power supply can cause all kinds of trouble. Also look for
bulging capacitors (www.BadCaps.net has pictures) because even though
Dells are made with high quality capacitors, a few years ago they
received a bad batch from Nichicon, which is normally one of the best
brands. When capacitors go bad, the voltages spike more, sometimes
enough to damage chips.

How were the HDs installed? Was there at least 1/4", preferrably
1/2", of free air space on both sides?
 
larry moe 'n curly said:
I would first measure all the voltages with a _digital_ meter because
a bad power supply can cause all kinds of trouble. Also look for
bulging capacitors (www.BadCaps.net has pictures) because even though
Dells are made with high quality capacitors, a few years ago they
received a bad batch from Nichicon, which is normally one of the best
brands. When capacitors go bad, the voltages spike more, sometimes
enough to damage chips.

How were the HDs installed? Was there at least 1/4", preferrably
1/2", of free air space on both sides?
Click to expand...

Yes, plenty of air space around HD & when in use, computer sits on top of a
desk, so I'm pretty sure it's getting enough ventilation.
Are Dell power supplies proprietary? I seem to remember reading that a few
years back.
I'll check power supply...
 
M'Balz Es-Hari said:
Yes, plenty of air space around HD & when in use, computer sits on top of a
desk, so I'm pretty sure it's getting enough ventilation.
Are Dell power supplies proprietary? I seem to remember reading that a few
years back.
Click to expand...

In the past Dell has used a non-standard plug for the power supply to motherboard connection. That meant if to wanted to replace either the power supply or motherboard you had to buy it from Dell or rewire the plug. I don't know if they have reformed (not likely) or still have that policy.
 
M'Balz Es-Hari said:
Are Dell power supplies proprietary? I seem to remember reading that a few
years back.
Click to expand...

It depends. It's proprietary if the 20-pin connector has only one
orange wire (power good) on it, as shown here:

http://pinouts.ru/Power/dell_atxpower_pinout.shtml

In that case there will probably also be a separate 6-pin connector
with three black wires (grounds) and three blue-white wires (+3.3V) on
it.

But if you see at least three orange wires (+3.3V) on that connector,
as is the situation with the Dell Optiplex computers I've seen, then
the PSU is standard ATX.
 
larry moe 'n curly said:
I would first measure all the voltages with a _digital_ meter because
a bad power supply can cause all kinds of trouble.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with using an _analog_ meter?

Jon
 
Jon said:
What's wrong with using an _analog_ meter?
Click to expand...

A good digital meters is much more accurate than analog meters; important when measuring 3.3 volts and 5 volts. They also have a much higher input impedance; necessary for many circuits but not significant when measuring power supply voltage.
Digital meters are also easier to work with. They are easier to read and you don't have to worry about overvoltage damaging them.
 
Mike said:
A good digital meters is much more accurate than analog meters;
important when measuring 3.3 volts and 5 volts. They also have a
much higher input impedance; necessary for many circuits but not
significant when measuring power supply voltage. Digital meters
are also easier to work with. They are easier to read and you
don't have to worry about overvoltage damaging them.
Click to expand...

I would rather trust my old Simpson, Triplett, or Avometer than a
$5.00 digital from Radio Shack, at least for accuracy. That's why
good meters have a mirror scale, to avoid parallax errors. There
are other advantages.
 
Jon said:
What's wrong with using an _analog_ meter?
Click to expand...

Nothing, if it has a good meter movement (20,000 ohms per volt DC or
higher), but most cheapos are rated only 2,000 ohms/VDC and 5%
accuracy, while the typical $3-5 digital meter with 3.5 digits (can
count up to 1999) can will probably always be within 1% on DC volts.
Good analog meters now cost more than good digital meters.
 
CBFalconer said:
I would rather trust my old Simpson, Triplett, or Avometer than a
$5.00 digital from Radio Shack, at least for accuracy. That's why
good meters have a mirror scale, to avoid parallax errors. There
are other advantages.
Click to expand...

That's why I said a "good" digital meter. Mine cost over $100. A Fluke meter with the same specs cost 2 to 3 times as much.
 
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