Desktops: Changing cases...
Changing cases...
by HarrisonHopkins - 2/3/06 1:33 PMI am thinking about buying a new case for my Dell Dimension 2400 PC. I would like to know about how hard it would be to move everything from it to a new one, or if I would be better off just sticking with the case it came in, and buying a new computer when Vista comes out.
Buying a case doesn't mena you are getting a new computer
by Self-Destruction - 2/3/06 8:43 PM In reply to: Changing cases... by HarrisonHopkinscases are on the cheap side these days. You can find one for about $20. It is extremely easy to move all your parts from your old case into a new case. It is easy if you are not clumsy and are careful with screws. Sure you can buy a new computer, but you can buy a new case too. Moving parts to a new case isn't considered a huge upgrade like changing your processor. If you are concerned with heat issues, then a new case can solve your problem.
Proprietary is the key word here...
by jparkhill - 2/10/06 5:15 AM In reply to: Buying a case doesn't mena you are getting a new computer by Self-DestructionDefinition: "Proprietary" - we built it OUR way and it only fits in OUR case!
I've worked closely with Compaq and Dell over the years and virtually NOTHING works in another case except the hard drive and floppy disk drive. I mean, it's "their way or the highway" in the truest sense.
I sincerely don't think you have a prayer of putting the Dell system in a new clone case. Sorry...
Jan
How Dell
by eddiettr - 2/11/06 10:34 AM In reply to: Proprietary is the key word here... by jparkhillIt seems very Dell that they should make non standard components. I think it makes a lot more sense (and is a lot cheaper) to build your own PC or get a local computer shop to do it. I wonder how many more PC 'brands' use their own size components...
Not necessarily....
by ackmondual - 2/14/06 10:49 AM In reply to: How Dell by eddiettrIt's only cheaper to make your own PC if it's a mid-high to high end system. Else, u can't beat a lowend PC with P4, 512MB RAM, M$ Office, WinXP, and other stuff for just several hundred $$ at a local computer store.
And ppl are lazy. There are many great benefits to assembling your own PC, but some ppl just don't have the time or energy to do so. This is especially true of those who juggle 4 children, 60 hour work weeks, and whatever hobbies they have at the same time. It's not so much they can't learn and take the time tomake a PC. It's better just to have some1 else do it.
May not be quite that easy.
by VAPCMD - 2/5/06 1:26 AM In reply to: Changing cases... by HarrisonHopkinsDell motherboards as well as those made by other retail mfgs are most likely proprietary and if so may not line up properly if placed in a generic clone case. Suggest researching it thoroughly before you try it as both the MB and the power supply may be proprietary.
(NT) Probably can't be done!!! John
by jcrobso - 2/8/06 10:39 AM In reply to: May not be quite that easy. by VAPCMDDid it with an HP
by 10Vigo04 - 2/10/06 5:39 AM In reply to: Changing cases... by HarrisonHopkinsI actually did this with an HP Pavilion which I am using to send this message. I switched it over to an Antec case to be able to add some more accessories. I couldn't add the Audigy Platinum front facing panel to the Pavilion with the two optical drives taking up the bays. The floppy drive was the only problem since the design of the Pavilion desn't incorporate a standard floppy drive enclosure. It does fit in the Antec case fine. The "problem" is asthetic as the HP case had a cover for the drive. This matters not to me as it works. As far as Dell I can't say for sure. If it was me I would crack the case and take some measurements. I find it hard to believe they wouldn't use standard ATX specs.
Good Luck
It worked for me
by mulmerus - 2/10/06 5:43 AM In reply to: Changing cases... by HarrisonHopkinsI have an older Dell system (purchased in 2001). I am not sure of its model number anymore. I got sick of the small cramped case it came with that allowed no room for expansion.
I confirmed the form factor of the motherboard (ATX) then went to my local shop to get a new case. The hardest part of the whole process was getting the components out of the Dell case; those Dell technicians must have extremely small hands. I have since added a 2nd hard drive and a Sound Blaster card the features a component with extra inputs and controls that mounts in a 5 1/4" bay. I couldn't have done either without the new case.
The only negative factor in all of it is that the disk eject button on the floppy drive was built into the Dell case and not the drive itself. Therefore, I have to use a paperclip to eject a floppy once its been inserted. I think I have done this a total of 5 times since I never use floppys.
It really wasn't a problem at all. Things may have changed with Dell since I did it, but it worked for me. I would caution you that if your PC is still covered under the Dell warranty I wouldn't recommend changing anything.
Checklist
by Odyssey42 - 2/10/06 6:01 AM In reply to: Changing cases... by HarrisonHopkinsOver the years, Dell has implemented more and more proprietary features to speed assembly and facilitate repair. Think modular. Check these items inside your Dell:
- cable to front panel (at some point Dell switched to a flat cable with multi-pin connector-like a small IDE cable-on both mobo and front panel ends). If yours has this, you should only consider a larger Dell case using the same connector with the same configuration.
- rear panel (for serial, parallel, mouse, keyboard, etc. connections) may not fit in an industry standard case.
- power supply is a big issue. At some point, maybe at the beginning, Dell began to use a nonstardard motherboard wiring configuration. If you use an industry standard ATX PS in a Dell, you will fry the mobo and CPU.
- fan shroud for CPU
I suggest you visit the following Dell Dimension upgrade forum and post there. That forum is the only place I know of where there is sufficient tech expertise to guide you on this:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_upghw&message.id=78202
I moved my Dell D4600 to a new case, but...
by bassrider - 2/10/06 10:11 AM In reply to: Checklist by Odyssey42Recently, the power supply on my Dell Dimension 4600 died a slow death, and in doing so, fried a few circuits on my motherboard. The computer was about 2 years old, 2.8GHz Pentium 4 w/800MB FSB, 512MB PC3200 RAM, etc.
The motherboard was made for Dell by Intel, but as others have said, Dell uses it's own weird standards, and a generic Intel motherboard wouldn't fit in the case.
I bought a new, larger case (can't remember the brand, and I'm not home now so I can't check) with a 450W power supply, and ordered a new, standarized motherboard from Intel. Both my old and new motherboards have 4 slots for RAM.
It was relatively simple to transplant the following from my old Dell case to my new case & motherboard:
-The CPU - 2.8GHz 800MB FSB
-The RAM - 512MB (2x256 PC3200)
-Hard drives - C: (120GB) and D: (250GB)
-CD-RW drive
-DVD-R drive
-Video Card - NVidia G-Force 5200
-Sound Card - SoundBlaster Live
My DVD burner is an external USB drive, so that was even easier. There was a slot for my floppy drive but I haven't bothered to install it yet. There is also room for a 3rd hard drive, if my video editing needs require one in the future.
The new motherboard can handle a 3.6GHz processor if I want to upgrade, but I'd rather spend the money on more RAM. Since I transplanted both of my hard drives, I didn't need to reinstall any software.
Including the power supply, the new case has no less than 5 fans, so heat should not be a concern. There's even a fan in front for the hard drives. Yes, I leave about 12 inches between the tower and anything else on all sides.
So for a few hundred dollars, I refurbished my computer into one that should last longer than the CPU will be relevant.
Hope this helps someone.
Dell to standard atx upgrade
by Odyssey42 - 2/12/06 9:55 AM In reply to: I moved my Dell D4600 to a new case, but... by bassriderBassrider, My experience would be consistent with yours. It's the Dell mobo, mobo connectors (front and rear), and power supply (as mentioned above) that are the non-standard items. You have basically moved everything else.
Anyone wishing to do the same just need to be sure that their (Dell) CPU is the same pin pattern and fsb as the new mobo needs, that the ram is the same type so that it will fit (and work) in the new board.
One caveat is that you can generally use faster RAM in a slower board (though the faster RAM will operate at the slower speed only) but I am not sure about putting slower ram in a faster board. Does anyone know what will happen?
BTW, how much did you spend on the upgrade? You had mentioned a few hundred dollars, but it would be good to know approx. what to expect if anyone should wish to go this route.
Cost of moving my Dell to new case & motherboard
by bassrider - 2/13/06 9:19 AM In reply to: Dell to standard atx upgrade by Odyssey42Odyssey asked for the cost of moving my Dell to new case & motherboard, as described in my previous post on this thread. I had it done at a computer shop owned by a friend. The total cost for the Antec case w/450W power supply and new Intel standard motherboard was about $380. My old motherboard had an integrated sound card, and he gave me a used SoundBlaster Live card for $7 (included in total cost). The cost also included 30 minutes labor charge (he's a friend).http://reviews.cnet.com/5224-6142-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=154550&messageID=1738309#
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