Dell Inspiron 546

• Processor AMD Dual Core Athlon II X2 215 Socket AM2

The Inspiron 546 comes with a dual core AMD Athlon II X2 215 processor, 4GB of DDR SDRAM, a largish 640GB hard drive, and DVD burner. The system's ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics are integrated. This system was available new from Staples retail stores.

Motherboard

DELL F896N 0896N Motherboard.

• Chipset-ATI 3200 Chipset
• Supported Processor, Socket AM2, AMD Sempron, AMD Phenom x4, Athlon II 64x2, Athlon 64x4
• Supported Memory-4x 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 4gb Max Total
• Audio-Integrated Audio. Video-AMD RS780. Expansion Capabilities-2x PCI, 1x PCI Express x16
• Peripheral Interfaces-1x VGA Monitor Connector, 1x RJ45 Ethernet/LAN Port, 1x HDMI Connector, 4x back-panel USB 2.0-compliant connectors, 3x back panel connectors for line-in, line-out, and microphone

Integrated Sound

5.1 Channel Audio. Via VT1708S integrated 5.1 channel, High Definition Audio.

While an integrated sound solution is fine for playing MP3s and CDs, simple presentations, and other basic computing, a sound card can dramatically broaden your audio horizons. In addition to crisp multi-channel sound with maximum realism, sound cards offer high-resolution, low-latency and feature-rich recording for audio enthusiasts and professionals.

Integrated Video

The 546's 3D performance is slow. Newer games built on Crytek's CryEngine 2 won't play very well on the system.

According to the manual: This product incorporates Macrovision copyright protection technology. Use of this copyright protection technology is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only.

AMI CMOS Setup Utility Menu

CMOS Setup Utility - American Megatrends, Inc. v A11

+---System Info
|   +---BIOS Info
|   +---System
|   +---Asset Tag
|   +---Service Tag
|   |
|   +---Processor Type
|   +---CPU Speed
|   +---Processor L2 Cache
|   +---Processor L3 Cache
|   |
|   +---Memory Installed
|   +---Memory Available
|   +---Memory Speed
|   +---Memory Channel Mode
|   \---Memory Technology
|
+---Standard CMOS Features
|   +---System Time
|   +---System Date
|   |
|   +---SATA-0
|   +---SATA-1
|   +---SATA-2
|   \---SATA-3
|
+---Advanced BIOS Features
|   +---CPU Feature
|   |   +---AMD Virtualization
|   |   +---AMD Cool 'N' Quiet Function
|   |   \---AMD Live!
|   |
|   \---USB Device Setting
|       +---USB Controller
|       \---USB Operation Mode
|
+---Advanced Chipset Features
|   +---Initial Display First
|   +---UMA Frame Buffer Size
|   +---Onboard Audio Controller
|   +---HD Audio
|   +---Onboard LAN Controller
|   +---Onboard LAN Boot ROM
|   \---SATA Mode
|
+---Boot Device Configuration
|   +---Boot Settings Configuration
|   |   +---Fast Boot
|   |   +---Numlock Key
|   |   \---Keyboard Errors
|   | 
|   +---Hard Disk Boot Priority
|   |   +---1st Drive
|   |   \---2nd Drive
|   |
|   +---1st Boot Device
|   +---2nd Boot Device
|   +---3rd Boot Device
|   \---Boot Other Device
|

+---Power Management Setup
|   +---ACPI Suspend Type
|   +---C1E Support
|   |
|   +---Remote Wake Up
|   +---AC Recovery
|   \---Auto Power On
|
+---BIOS Security Features
|
|   +---Set Supervisor Password
|   +---User Access Level
|   +---Set User Password
|   \---Password Check
|
+---Load Defaults 
|
+---Save & Exit Setup
|
\---Exit Without Saving

Troubleshooting

Inspiron 546 Won't Power Up, Orange Light on Motherboard

Dell Inspiron 546 won't power on. When connected to AC, there's an amber light (or orange light) on the motherboard. Pressing power button causes case fan to spin for a brief moment. No other activity. System will not power on nor boot. PSU tests good. With all other peripherals disconnected the system will not boot. There is only a steady amber power light right at power up. Never gose to green. No video or drive lights come on.

The Dell Inspiron 546 uses a Dell F896N 0896N Motherboard. This motherboard or mainboard is known to have a higher than usual failure rate. If the PSU has been eliminated as the culprit then the motherboard is likely defective and requires replacement. A new replacement is approximately $50.00 - that is NEW and not REFURBISHED. Replacement of the motherboard typically resolves the issue. Ensure the replacement board is equipped with a new CMOS battery. Old stock may have battery that is end of shelf life.

BIOS / CMOS Settings Lost on Reboot

All settings including time and date are lost after system is powered off.

Replace the CMOS battery.

BIOS / CMOS Settings Lost on Reboot - CMOS battery good

All settings except time and ate are lost after soft reboot or power cycle. Time and Date are retained.

Ensure the "service tag" field in the BIOS Setup has a value. If this field is empty, your CMOS settings in the AMI BIOS setup will not be retained, with the exception of time and date.

1. Press F2 on boot to enter CMOS Setup Utility
2. Select the "System Info" field
3. The 4th line under System Overview is "Service Tag" - if this field is blank and you are able to edit the field then you need to enter a value. You can obtain a valid entry from Dell or you can enter an arbitrary number. Once this field is populated press the F10 key and select [Ok] to the dialog "Save configuration changes and exit setup?"

Once the service tag field has a value the rest of the bios settings will be retained after a save and reboot. They no longer revert to default values, ergo, it is necessary to have a service tag value if you wish to customize other CMOS settings.