Will a U.S. computer work in Australia?

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RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,868
368
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For whatever reason, computers in Australia are waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced for what you get.

My wife and I have a Dell Dimension 4300 which we could probably sell here, eBay or locally for around $250-$350 but I think a better use would be to donate it to her family in Australia.

Is it possible to get a U.S. computer to work and be STABLE in Australia?

If so, how?

Thanks!
 
E

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Yes it should work fine, AFAIK. The only concern would be power. I'm not sure exactly what power schema is used down-under.

I'd be more worried about the software/hardware export laws you'd break by shipping it over there. ;)

amish
 
UNCjigga

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
25,281
9,778
136
Dude, can't you read the sign at Aussie customs? You can't just introduce some foreign PC into a closed habitat like Australia. Didn't you see what happened in that 'Simpsons' episode? After about a week there'd be random power outages, BSODs, traffic lights malfunctioning...not to mention thousands of network problems. :p
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
At most you'll need a transformer, like my dad had to use when he brought over things we'd bought in England. THe computer itself will work fine. Electricity is electricity :)
 
S

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
17,727
0
0
All powersupplies i've seen can be changed from 110V to 220V (which is what they use). I think you can just switch it from the back to 220 and use it normally.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,868
368
136
Originally posted by: SSP
All powersupplies i've seen can be changed from 110V to 220V (which is what they use). I think you can just switch it from the back to 220 and use it normally.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. I've heard that Dell's motherboard/powersupplies are finicky I'll have to do some research and see if it's even worth the hassle (which I doubt it is after you factor in the cost for a replacement PS and shipping costs to Australia).

Or I could order a bunch of parts from Newegg assemble a homebrew PC w/ 220v PS and ship it to Australia. I wonder how much that would cost for a one step above entry level system?
 
S

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
17,727
0
0
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: SSP
All powersupplies i've seen can be changed from 110V to 220V (which is what they use). I think you can just switch it from the back to 220 and use it normally.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. I've heard that Dell's motherboard/powersupplies are finicky I'll have to do some research and see if it's even worth the hassle (which I doubt it is after you factor in the cost for a replacement PS and shipping costs to Australia).

Or I could order a bunch of parts from Newegg assemble a homebrew PC w/ 220v PS and ship it to Australia. I wonder how much that would cost for a one step above entry level system?
Click to expand...

When it comes it prices, you know that better then anyone here. :)

I don?t know how well the 110/220 conversion is built in all PS's. When I was in Asia, I used a hair dryer that had the 110/220 switch. At the lowest setting, it felt more like a leaf blower then a hair dryer. :D
 
K

Kenazo

Lifer
Sep 15, 2000
10,429
1
81
What kind of electricity do Aussie's use? Our North American brand stuff is 60hz. If aussie stuff is a different frequency u'll probably fry your computer pretty quick. I think in Europe they have 50 hz, but i might be wrong on that.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,868
368
136
Originally posted by: Kenazo
What kind of electricity do Aussie's use? Our North American brand stuff is 60hz. If aussie stuff is a different frequency u'll probably fry your computer pretty quick. I think in Europe they have 50 hz, but i might be wrong on that.
Click to expand...

I believe it's 220v, the outlet is shaped like a triangle rather than ours which is like an upside down happyface without the smile.
 
S

SSP

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
17,727
0
0
Originally posted by: Kenazo
What kind of electricity do Aussie's use? Our North American brand stuff is 60hz. If aussie stuff is a different frequency u'll probably fry your computer pretty quick. I think in Europe they have 50 hz, but i might be wrong on that.
Click to expand...

Man, Google has EVERTHING! :)
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,868
368
136
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Kenazo
What kind of electricity do Aussie's use? Our North American brand stuff is 60hz. If aussie stuff is a different frequency u'll probably fry your computer pretty quick. I think in Europe they have 50 hz, but i might be wrong on that.
Click to expand...

Man, Google has EVERTHING! :)
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks!

If you were to build a barebones system all from NewEgg.com including a 230v PS what config/price would you recommend?
 
C

charrison

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
17,033
1
81
Originally posted by: RossMAN
For whatever reason, computers in Australia are waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced for what you get.

My wife and I have a Dell Dimension 4300 which we could probably sell here, eBay or locally for around $250-$350 but I think a better use would be to donate it to her family in Australia.

Is it possible to get a U.S. computer to work and be STABLE in Australia?

If so, how?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


It is impossible. The bits flow the other direction in the other hemisphere.
:D
 
T

Tominator

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,559
1
0
Originally posted by: charrison
Originally posted by: RossMAN
For whatever reason, computers in Australia are waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced for what you get.

My wife and I have a Dell Dimension 4300 which we could probably sell here, eBay or locally for around $250-$350 but I think a better use would be to donate it to her family in Australia.

Is it possible to get a U.S. computer to work and be STABLE in Australia?

If so, how?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


It is impossible. The bits flow the other direction in the other hemisphere.
:D
Click to expand...

I'd want to make sure all the components would work okay upside down before I shipped...

 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: SSP
Originally posted by: Kenazo
What kind of electricity do Aussie's use? Our North American brand stuff is 60hz. If aussie stuff is a different frequency u'll probably fry your computer pretty quick. I think in Europe they have 50 hz, but i might be wrong on that.
Click to expand...

Man, Google has EVERTHING! :)
Click to expand...

LOL..

What's with the wacko countries that use 230 and 240v?

Hmm.. I guess there are countries that use 110 and 120.. 115.. 127?

Interesting, Japan uses 100v.

Botswanna uses 231. :p
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,389
8,547
126
my parents took a US spec dell dimension to both colombia and malaysia, needing nothing more than flipping the switch on the back of the PS.
 
dcdomain

dcdomain

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,158
0
71
One of my coworkers during the summer just packed his computer in the suitcase and went off to Greece. Told me there were no such things as computer stores back where he came from...
 
W

Weyoun

Senior member
Aug 7, 2000
700
0
0
Hi Rossman

While simply flicking the switch on the back of the power supply may solve any problems related to voltage, I doubt it would do anything about frequency. I'm not sure what the frequency tolerance of a power supply is exactly, but the distributor pages over here (yes, I live in Australia, *gasp*!) appear to be selling the same PSU models as in the US. This probably means that frequency isn't an issue, though there could possibly be different revisions depending on region.

In any case, if you have difficulties with your PSU over here, you may want to pick one up. I'm not sure what the usual price is for a PSU sold in the US, but these guys seem to have fairly reasonable deals ($1AU is roughly $0.55US). All prices also include express shipping to anywhere in Australia. I have bought over $2000AU of computer hardware with these guys without a single problem
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,868
368
136
From Dell Australia

Total Price: AUD 2,010 80
(All prices are inclusive of GST and delivery)


null
19/10/2002 12:27 PM

null
92254

Dell Services: Telephone Support (H) [WDPH113-DXPS] With 3 Years 24x7 Days Priority User PC Telephone Support On Dell Hardware 1

Dell Services: Hardware Maintenance (H) [WMTX111-DXPS] 1 Year Next Business Day Parts + Onsite Labour (M-F, 9am - 5pm) 1
[ TC ] Varied From Dell's Terms And Conditions
[ WMPH811-DXPS(AU) ] 1 Year Plus Phone Support: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 1000-1600.

Base System [4U364] Dimension(TM) 4550 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor 2.00GHz with Mini Tower 1
[ BCH-025 ] 512KB ON-DIE L2 Cache
[ BCH-057 ] Intel(R) 845PE Chipset
[ BNC-011 ] Integrated Intel(R) PRO 10/100 Ethernet

Priority Delivery Option [FD-DIM/INSP-002] Standard Delivery 1

Memory [3K432] 384MB (1x128+1x256) Memory 266MHz DDR SDRAM 1

Video Card [0P770] 64MB DDR nVidia(R) GeForce4(TM) MX Graphics Card w/TV-Out 1

Floppy Drive [71HNJ] 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive 1

Keyboard [9P173] Dell(TM) Quietkey(R) Keyboard (English) 1
[ 2K412 ] Australia Info Only
[ 5U602 ] Shipping Documentations

Mouse [7N116] Dell(TM) PS/2 2 Buttons Mouse 1
[ 54562 ] Dell(TM) Mouse Mat

Monitor [4P122] 17" (16.0"v.i.s) CRT Color Monitor, South Zone 1
[ FMN-D012 ] For Dimension(TM) Monitor Only

EIDE Hard Drive [3T378] 40GB Ultra ATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive 1

Operating System [6F064] Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition (English) 1
[ 3W466 ] Norton Antivirus(TM) 2002 (English)
[ DMN-004 ] Network Domain Authentication Not Supported In Windows(R) XP Home Edition
[ DMN-005 ] For NAV 2002, Free 90 Days of Live Update for Latest Virus Definitions
[ 4C490 ] Dimension(TM) Info Only

Internet ISP [5F959] OzEmail ISP - Pre-Installed 1

Internet ISP II [0N703] AOL 3-Month Internet Offer 1

Software [7X720] Wordperfect Productivity Pack 1
[ BSW-D018 ] WordPerfect / Quattro(R) Pro

Optical Drive [31WJE] 48X Max Variable CD-ROM Drive 1

Sound Card [5296P] Sound Blaster(R) Live!(TM) Value Sound Card 1

Speakers [FSK-D005] No Speaker 1

Limited Time Offer (For Web Use) [DT-FRT-200] Dis Code: Free Delivery Charges 1

Limited Time Offer 1 (Entitled For 1 Code Only) [DT-MEM-018] Dis Code: Free UPG from 256MB to 384MB Memory 1

That's freakin' ridiculous!
 
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