Difference between revisions of "Dell Inspiron 531"

From Eugene Eric Kim
(Blu-Ray drive)
(Moved bullet points here. Updated some of the content.)
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I bought this in 2007.  I'm going to convert it into a media center PC in February 2013, swapping out the Nvidia GEFORCE 9400GT for one of these [http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&IsPowerSearch=1&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A9641&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A53938&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A33099&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A49755&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A25271&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A42010&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A100123&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A56831&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A23120&PropertyCodeValue=2953%3A18921&PropertyCodeValue=3200%3A22195 video cards with HDMI] (see [http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/230928-advise-video-card-media-center-pc.html this] for more information), and attempting to use the 9400GT in a [[Hackintosh]]. I'll also need a [http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Internal-Rewriter-WH14NS40/dp/B007VPGL5U/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360971942&sr=1-3&keywords=blu-ray+drive Blu-Ray drive].
I bought this in 2007.  I'm going to convert it into a media center PC in February 2013, swapping out the Nvidia GEFORCE 9400GT for one of these [http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=100007709&IsNodeId=1&IsPowerSearch=1&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=0&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A9641&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A53938&PropertyCodeValue=696%3A33099&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A49755&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A25271&PropertyCodeValue=686%3A42010&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A100123&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A56831&PropertyCodeValue=3209%3A23120&PropertyCodeValue=2953%3A18921&PropertyCodeValue=3200%3A22195 video cards with HDMI] (see [http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/230928-advise-video-card-media-center-pc.html this] for more information), and attempting to use the 9400GT in a [[Hackintosh]]. I'll also need a [http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-Internal-Rewriter-WH14NS40/dp/B007VPGL5U/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360971942&sr=1-3&keywords=blu-ray+drive Blu-Ray drive].
* Primary OS is [[Ubuntu]] Jaunty Jackalope
* Runs [[Windows Vista]] virtualized using [[VirtualBox]]
* Media file server served via NFS and [[VirtualBox]] Shared Folders


== Memory ==
== Memory ==


Looks like I need PC2-4200/5300/6400 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs. [http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellDimensionE521.html This site] recommends maximizing the memory in each bank. Also see [http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgrade.asp?cid=33023 this site].
PC2-4200/5300/6400 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs. [http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellDimensionE521.html This site] recommends maximizing the memory in each bank. Also see [http://www.edgetechcorp.com/memory/upgrade.asp?cid=33023 this site].


== Hard Disk ==
== Hard Disk ==


The default max capacity is two 500GB drives. Not sure if upgrading BIOS to 1.0.13 also boosts the capacity.
The default max capacity is two 500GB drives. Upgrading BIOS to 1.0.13 (suggested by [http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78838 this piece]) boosted the capacity. I now have two 1TB drives in there.
 
== References ==
 
* [http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78838 Upgrading Inspiron 531]. Nice overall summary of upgrading a 531. Makes reference to upgrading the drives to 1TB, but no mention of whether he was successful.


== History ==
== History ==


;April 3, 2013
:Migrated to my [[Hackintosh]] as my primary machine.
;June 22, 2009
;June 22, 2009
:Upgraded BIOS to [http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R210331&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=295867 1.0.13].
:Upgraded BIOS to [http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R210331&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=295867 1.0.13].

Revision as of 14:47, 6 April 2013

I bought this in 2007. I'm going to convert it into a media center PC in February 2013, swapping out the Nvidia GEFORCE 9400GT for one of these video cards with HDMI (see this for more information), and attempting to use the 9400GT in a Hackintosh. I'll also need a Blu-Ray drive.

Memory

PC2-4200/5300/6400 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs. This site recommends maximizing the memory in each bank. Also see this site.

Hard Disk

The default max capacity is two 500GB drives. Upgrading BIOS to 1.0.13 (suggested by this piece) boosted the capacity. I now have two 1TB drives in there.

History

April 3, 2013
Migrated to my Hackintosh as my primary machine.
June 22, 2009
Upgraded BIOS to 1.0.13.
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