+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4

    Dell Dimension 4600 Motherboard heatsink latch broken

     
    I have a Dell Dimension 4600 that was booting up and shutting down shortly after making it to the operating system. I've read about all possible problems but found when I opened the case that one of the clips that holds the heatsink on the microprocessor was unlatched. I suspect that this was what was causing the problem with shut down.
    When I looked at the place where the latch was supposed to clip onto I found that the plastic was broken, thus the latch had nothing to clip on to. I think that this plastic square that the heatsink sits in and is connected to is part of the motherboard. If so, do any of you have any suggestions on how I can rescue this computer when I can't latch one side of the heatsink? Also do any of you agree that the headsink being unlatched on one side could have caused the computer to shut down? Thanks for any help you can give.
    Last edited by spencj; August 30th, 2008 at 01:05 AM.

  2. #2
    Ultimate Member BipolarBill's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    2,724
    This is definitely the cause. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix. You will need a new motherboard.
    MCSE, MCP and nut job

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4
    Thanks for your reply. Some questions. Do you think it's worth the expense of replacing the motherboard in a unit this old? If yes, where is a good place to find a compatible replacement? Also, is it possible that the problem with the loose heatsink might have created problems with the microprocessor? It definitely shut down rather quickly after completing boot.

  4. #4
    I got this #43 fan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    5,560
    If it serves your needs as it is, and if you can find an inexpensive board, then it may be worth the cost.
    Or, you can rebuild the Dell with a new case, power supply, motherboard with Integrated Graphics if you don't game, and CPU. That would be about $300-$400, depending on what you get.

  5. #5
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4
    Thanks.

  6. #6
    Ultimate Member BipolarBill's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    2,724
    I doubt that the CPU was damaged. The PC is designed to prevent that.

    You may be able to get a replacement motherboard on eBay. #43's advice is good, but it comes with penalties. You will need a new Windows CD and connecting the front USB ports may be a real headache - perhaps impossible unless you get the new case.
    Last edited by BipolarBill; August 30th, 2008 at 11:41 AM.
    MCSE, MCP and nut job

  7. #7
    Ultimate Member EXreaction's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Madison, WI
    Posts
    15,225
    Blog Entries
    1
    A new motherboard isn't needed. Just buy a new heatsink.
    Newegg.com - Socket 478, CPU Fans & Heatsinks, Fans & Heatsinks, Computer Hardware

    The one thing to note is that you will also need a 4pin to 3 pin adapter to connect the fan directly to the power supply.

    Depending on the heatsink you get, you may need a new mounting bracket for the heatsinks as well (the images for most do not show them coming with mounts).
    Last edited by EXreaction; August 30th, 2008 at 12:00 PM.
    "The problem with quotations on the internet is that the sources are hard to verify" - Abraham Lincoln

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4
    Would I be able to lock it down when I have the broken plastic latch hook that appears to be attached to the motherboard?

  9. #9
    Ultimate Member BipolarBill's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    2,724
    A new heatsink won't work unless there are screwmounts on the motherboard as an alternative. Dell isn't big on providing alternative mounts.
    MCSE, MCP and nut job

  10. #10
    Ultimate Member EXreaction's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Madison, WI
    Posts
    15,225
    Blog Entries
    1
    That plastic mount comes off.

    I've put a new heatsink on my own 4600 motherboard already before.

    There are screw mounts on the chassis for a new mount as well.
    "The problem with quotations on the internet is that the sources are hard to verify" - Abraham Lincoln

  11. #11
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    1
    I had the same problem. Machine just about boots up then powers off. If you boot it again it trips out even quicker. Traced it to the broken heatsink bracket. I fixed mine with a short length of wire.

    Remove both heatsink clips and lift off the metal heatsink. Then unscrew the four screws that hold the plastic bracket down. Cut a four inch length of insulated 1mm solid copper wire (the type used in the UK for fixed mains lighting). Strip both ends, leaving about an inch in the middle still insulated. Wrap the insulated wire around the "foot" of the bracket. The wire must be insulated here as it could touch the motherboard tracks. Now bend the stripped part of the wire up and across where the broken clip retainer used to be, and twist the ends together to secure it. Screw the bracket back onto the motherboard and re-assemble. Not so elegant but at least it won't break again.

    After I did one corner, another corner broke a few days later, so you might as well do all four at once.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Dell Dimension 4600 Motherboard heatsink latch broken-bracket.jpg  
    Last edited by ChrisG_UK; July 9th, 2009 at 02:14 PM.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Upgrading Dell Dimension 4600
    By nate88 in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: May 15th, 2009, 08:03 PM
  2. Upgrade options for a Dell dimension 4600
    By rene_mercer in forum Motherboards
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: June 29th, 2008, 10:43 AM
  3. Dell Dimension 4600 Upgrade Help/Questions
    By cjwillie in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: March 18th, 2007, 08:46 PM
  4. DELL Dimension 4600 PS size
    By ShuckyD in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: February 27th, 2006, 09:23 AM
  5. Dimension 4600 cheap replacement motherboard?
    By LeftCoast in forum Technical Support
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: August 6th, 2005, 08:39 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Recommended Sites: ResellerRatings Store Reviews