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Computer guys...PC motherboard question
Since I am the family computer geek, it has fallen to me to try and resurrect my father in law's PC. No big deal, he wanted to put it together to have for the grandkids to play on. He has another which he uses for his work.
Anyhow, the thing has a bad IDE connector. There are only two on the board. So, you can either plug in the hard drive or the CD ROM, but not both. I pulled the motherboard out and was planning on just buying a cheap replacement off the net. Here's the kicker. The damn thing is a Dell. So of course it is a funky mobo with non-standard connections. The computer in question is a Dell Dimension 4550. It has a P4 2.5 ghz processor on it. I have read that Dell also uses non-standard power connections and such so you can't use the power supply unless you buy another Dell mobo. Of course their replacement sells for $120, which is ridiculous. Any ideas? I guess I could just buy a new case and mobo and start from scratch...problem is I'd have to buy a heat sink too.
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I put an Intel MB in a Dell case. I think I lost the front USB and sound connection. You can get everything else to work.
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,177
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Can you post a photo of the power supply connectors?
I don't know your specific machine, but yes, Dell mobos tend to be non standard, along with their cases. Processor, memory, and HD are all usable, but chances are you will need a new case, mobo, and possibly a power supply. Given how cheap one can get a new PC these days, not sure its worth your time.
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Power supply connections are standard.
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 353
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Quote:
Might notice a bit of a performance hit if it's trying to access both drives but it will work.
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 4,612
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Why not buy a pci IDE card and run the hard drive off it? Do they still sell those ? I'm on my BB, otherwise I would look it up.
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Registered
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Bonkers is right in trying to connect both to one channel.
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Make sure to check out my balls in the Pelican Parts Catalog! 917 inspired shift knobs. '84 Targa - Arena Red - AX #104 '07 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Yes, I'm that guy... '01 Toyota Corolla - Urban Camouflage - SOLD |
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 7,286
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In old/IDE cable, there usually 2 connectors, one can be for HD and one can be for the CD/DVD. If this cable doesn't have both, maybe a visit to a computer store for a cable?
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Posts: 20,988
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Yes, 2 drives on an IDE port, 1 master and 1 slave. Or lose the internal CD, and plug in an external DVD through the USB.
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Happiest when Tinkering
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Missouri
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19 years and 17k posts...
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Promaise sells cards to add hard drives, check on eBay. Promise Ultra100TX2, I believe...
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There's no reason to spend money until he tries to hook the HD and optical drive to the second channel.
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Make sure to check out my balls in the Pelican Parts Catalog! 917 inspired shift knobs. '84 Targa - Arena Red - AX #104 '07 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Yes, I'm that guy... '01 Toyota Corolla - Urban Camouflage - SOLD |
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