transfer dell computer into different case??

acejj26

Senior member
Dec 15, 1999
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i don't know if they still do, but dell uses proprietary motherboards/power supplies with different pinouts....thus, if you're going to transfer all the parts, keep the power supply with it

p.s. why'd you spend so much money on a stock chieftec case that can be had at newegg for a lot cheaper? not to say its not nice, cuz i have the same case, only blue, but $138 for that case is a lil much since you can get this one at newegg for a lot less

link

anyways, just transfer the power supply over to the new machine and u'll be fine....i'd be scared to try a different power supply since it could fry your mobo
 

imgodlike1

Member
May 2, 2004
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acejj, thanks for the advice, i wasn't aware of the proprietary mobo/ps thing, good thing i asked.

i saw the case on ebay, i liked it, done deal. the one on the link is very nice, but i like the one i got, i'm excited to get it and do the transfer.


is there anything else i should know before i get it?
 

Pixle

Senior member
Apr 9, 2004
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Actually you don't need to transfer the power supply. Their are various sites that sell "Adapter EIDE" cables that go between the New Standard Power Supply and the Dell Motherboard that you carry. Without it, you wouldn't be able to use that new power supply.

Hopefully someone posts the site with that product...I forgot its name..



Oh, and yeah, I have also transfered my dell case and with a new ps. (After the adapter).
 

13black

Senior member
May 2, 2003
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You might want to check to make sure you need that adapter before you bye one. See if Dell has the specs and a pinout for your power supply and compare it to a normal ATX power supply. I don't think all the Dells are like that, but I don't really know for sure, just a thought. If you add the adapter and it wasn't needed you could cause some damage to your system.
 

johnjkr1

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2003
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That is not the real problem. The REAL problem is the power/reset connector. Ever taken a look at your dell power/reset connector? No? Well, it is not a "connector", its a control panel. and an I/O panel. That do not have the standard plugs. I worked on these for two years at Dell, I know. Have fun trying to get it to turn on!!

EDIT: Ok, if pixle did it, i guess it is possible. But I don't see how you are going to connect the power button.

Also:

ATX to Dell Adapter
Some Dell computers made after September of 1998 use a proprietary PSU specification that is only compatible with an ATX power supply when used with an adapter. Although an ATX power supply may physically fit in a Dell computer, and the electrical connections will mate, damage to the motherboard and/or PSU may result unless an adapter is used.
This adapter is not compatible with the Dell 8100. Some Dell models that utilize a Pentium 4, including the 4300, 4400 and 8200, do not require an adapter.

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html
 

johnjkr1

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2003
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You are fine with the standard ATX, yes. But have you looked at the power/reset connectors? If it is one of those I/O panel to control panel to front type setups that we used for quite awhile you are going to have no fun getting the motherboard to power up.
 

johnjkr1

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2003
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Personally, I always hated those "clamshell" things. Junk if you ask me. But hey, some people like their suzuki's, to each his own. (of course, they are wrong though)
 

imgodlike1

Member
May 2, 2004
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thank you very much johnjkr1, i appreciate all your help and any other help you can give me.

i too don't like the "clamshell" thing, i'm on my 2nd dell, and never liked the case, so i decided to get a different one.
 

13black

Senior member
May 2, 2003
273
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There may be a way around the no power button problem. Go into the BIOS and look for a "state after power failure" setting. Probably in the Power Managment setup section. If you set it to "on" the PC will power up when you plug it in. Plug it in to a power bar and use it's power switch to turn it on. You can power down the normal way and turn the power bar off afterward.
 

imgodlike1

Member
May 2, 2004
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i too would like pixle to tell us, i pm'd him to see if he can explain it to me, i'll share it if he replys
 

johnjkr1

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2003
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13black, sure, you could do it that way. We used it as a way to test out defective control panels. But that seems horribly annoying.
 

imgodlike1

Member
May 2, 2004
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yeah, i'm not even going to transfer cases if i have to go through that, but some people on the dell forums were talking about upgrading their cases without any problems very easily for the 8300, so i'm going to ask them, i'll report back with the answer
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Have you considered replacing the motherboard as well? Problem solved. :)
 

13black

Senior member
May 2, 2003
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lol, I don't think it's as bad as it sounds, but I can understand you wanting the power switch to work. I'm an electronic technician so rewiring the power button wouldn't be a big deal for me. What you want to do is take the two wires from the case power button and tack them onto the little control panel. If you wire it acrose the button that's already there it should work fine. Do the same thing for the reset button.
 

Pixle

Senior member
Apr 9, 2004
435
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Ok I just found the ink of where I bought the adapter.

I had a Dell xps b1000r just for reference.

I bought it from here, http://www.siliconacoustics.com/atxtodelad.html

It came quick and worked 100%. Still going on a PowMax 400ps.

You should call them up though. I did. Call them and give them your Dell Model number and they will tell you if that product will work with it.

Pixle.
 

Pixle

Senior member
Apr 9, 2004
435
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Originally posted by: johnjkr1
I'm still interested to hear how pixle got it to work.

It worked on my dell xpsb1000r , I transfered it all into a new case with a standard atx power supply. The adapter worked perfectly even with the power supply.

I'll take pics if you need to see that the adapter is their.

I've had my computer running with the adapter for +6months. Strong and very stable with the case which provides much better cooling than dells.

And best of all, NO DELL LOGO :)

Pixle.
 

johnjkr1

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2003
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But how did you hook up the power connector? Also, the XPSB series uses quite a different motherboard from the 8300.