Options for my (partially dead) computer

**Byzantine Emperor** · 10-17-2006, 21:14

Call me sad, but I really was sad when I learned my motherboard kicked the bucket. All my hard modding was on that machine! I've lost all my weeks of work, but more importantly I am now only limited to my laptop, (that I am typing this on) which is far, far worse in performance than my PC. A LOT.

OK, the choices I have:
1.Pay £200 for a new motherboard. Same machine.
2.Pay £300 for a new motherboard, casing and processor ( I do not know how good the processor is. ) and a warranty for 3 years.
3.A new computer. An option that really should be avoided because of the cost.
4.Forget the computer. (Another option that I really do not want to take)

This is not spam. I paid (or my mum and dad paid) £1000 plus for this computer, and it is good:
DELL Dimension 9100
3.2GHZ Processor
Windows XP Home Edition
1024MB memory
250GB 7200RPM Hard drive
DVD drive
256MB Nvidia GE Force graphics card (might have needed upgrading?)
Soundblaster Live 24-bit sound card

Please forgive me if there is a forum for techy stuff like this, because I do not know of one

**Mithrandir** · 10-17-2006, 21:25

Me neither, so I just moved it to a random forum

.

**Lemur** · 10-17-2006, 21:57

Hmm, last time I checked, Dell was using proprietary power supplies, so option #2 would more accuately read "Pay for new processor, motherboard, case and power supply."

The lowest-cost option would be to call Dell and see what they'll charge to get you in good working order again. This is why the Lemur has never bought a Dell machine -- I want to be free, free, free to put in whatever standard parts I like.

A question for people who have lived with Dell PCs -- does their custom power supply connect to standard ATX-compliant motherboards? If so, BE's problems might not be so grim.

A question for you, BE: How are you certain that the failure is in the mobo? That can be kind of ticklish to isolate ...

**Leftenant Moley** · 10-17-2006, 22:30

Originally Posted by Lemur

. This is why the Lemur has never bought a Dell machine -- I want to be free, free, free to put in whatever standard parts I like.

Amen to that,

my silly dell could not take a 300W PSU.And dell did not stock a PSU higher than 300W for my dell. I could take a graphics Gefore FX 5800(or something). But the card required 300W PSU. So i had to opt for a cheaper slower cruder card. The FX5200.

I would recommend getting a new computer but right now i have trouble with mine. Therefore I would say that you do not touch computers(unless you dont mind throwing them out of windows.)

Mind you if your not that computer savvy (like me) then perhaps another Dell machine would not be such a bad idea(except for the cost)

If its possible in the future to double the RAM and and a get a faster card the option 1 sounds like the best.

Originally Posted by Lemur

A question for people who have lived with Dell PCs -- does their custom power supply connect to standard ATX-compliant motherboards? If so, BE's problems might not be so grim.

Nah, dell (well at least mine) have their PSU made diferently so a standfitting PSU cannot fit into a dell Base unit

**Byzantine Emperor** · 10-18-2006, 20:53

I have talked to my Dad about this and he says the best option would be to just get a new motherboard and case. The only mention of it being a motherboard problem was from the guys who are repairing it, (forgot their name) and they are willing to now give a guarantee for the lower-cost option. A new computer is out of the question really, unless that is the only option.

I don't know about Dell Support... they aren't really that supportive at all.

PS, I am not really a computer idiot, but I am definately no expert. And if I take option 1, I can have my PC back by Friday.

**screwtype** · 10-19-2006, 05:29

Originally Posted by Byzantine Emperor

I have talked to my Dad about this and he says the best option would be to just get a new motherboard and case. The only mention of it being a motherboard problem was from the guys who are repairing it, (forgot their name) and they are willing to now give a guarantee for the lower-cost option. A new computer is out of the question really, unless that is the only option.

I don't know about Dell Support... they aren't really that supportive at all.

PS, I am not really a computer idiot, but I am definately no expert. And if I take option 1, I can have my PC back by Friday.

200 quid just for a new mobo sound very expensive. I can get a cheap mobo locally for as little as $85, which is about 40 UK pounds. Most good mobo's wouldn't cost more than $135 (around 60-70 UK pounds).

**Lemur** · 10-19-2006, 14:38

An ugly truth about Britain: They spend pounds like dollars. It's the darndest thing. If a soda is a dollar here, it's a quid there. If a pair of shoes is forty bucks here, it's forty quid there. I've never understood it.

**BDC** · 10-19-2006, 15:01

Originally Posted by Lemur

An ugly truth about Britain: They spend pounds like dollars. It's the darndest thing. If a soda is a dollar here, it's a quid there. If a pair of shoes is forty bucks here, it's forty quid there. I've never understood it.

Neither have I. On the plus side I feel really rich in the USA. It's fun to be able to spend and laugh at how cheap everything is.

**Mikeus Caesar** · 10-19-2006, 16:14

Whenever my computer dies (which has happened 3 times, due to pushing it to the extreme) i make a new one and keep the old one for spare parts.

**caravel** · 10-19-2006, 17:07

Originally Posted by Byzantine Emperor

I have talked to my Dad about this and he says the best option would be to just get a new motherboard and case. The only mention of it being a motherboard problem was from the guys who are repairing it, (forgot their name) and they are willing to now give a guarantee for the lower-cost option. A new computer is out of the question really, unless that is the only option.

I don't know about Dell Support... they aren't really that supportive at all.

PS, I am not really a computer idiot, but I am definately no expert. And if I take option 1, I can have my PC back by Friday.

Buy a different motherboard to suit your existing CPU, RAM and anything else and fit it all into a new case with a new PSU. This way the motherboard is not going to cost you £200.00. That, in my honest opinion, is the best way to go about this.

**Byzantine Emperor** · 10-19-2006, 19:58

Hmm. We've gone ahead with it anyway (yesterday). I honestly don't trust myself with making a computer, I am only 13. I think I might need a new graphics card to play M2TW though.