The Inspiron 6400 has a thermistor test that fails at around 50F
and below, that the computer takes as a temperature of 255C (very hot),
and it goes in full fan on, cache off, and slow crawl forward mode
until you reboot it. V12 Bios upgrade fixes it.

I mention it because, if there's a sensor test on the diagnostics
disk, you may find it fails it when cold ; the temperature matches
exactly what happens on the 6400.

Put it in a cold room and try the diagnostics out (just that one,
if it will let you).
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.