Dell Box - What to do

  • Thread starter Thread starter Max
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Max

MY BOX:
Dell Demension 4300
40gb harddrive
512mb SDRAM

I went with a dell about two years ago and now I am under the impression
that my Dell computer is made in a way that parts from non-dell manufactures
wont fit in the box unless bought from Dell is this true?

Cause I need to get a second haddrive and maybe some more memory but I dont
want to purchase from dell. Does anyone have a dell box that can tell me if
this is true and or what I can do?
 
Max said:
MY BOX:
Dell Demension 4300
40gb harddrive
512mb SDRAM

I went with a dell about two years ago and now I am under the impression
that my Dell computer is made in a way that parts from non-dell manufactures
wont fit in the box unless bought from Dell is this true?
Click to expand...

A non-Dell motherboard probably won't work because it may not fit
properly. Not sure about the Dell power supplies and their interface
with the Dell motherboards. Virtually everything else can be sourced
from other manufacturers without issue.
Cause I need to get a second haddrive and maybe some more memory but I dont
want to purchase from dell.
Click to expand...

Dell does not manufacture hard drives, they buy them from the same
companies that you do. Memory should be a similar situation.
 
sooky grumper said:
A non-Dell motherboard probably won't work because it may not fit
properly. Not sure about the Dell power supplies and their interface
with the Dell motherboards. Virtually everything else can be sourced
from other manufacturers without issue.


Dell does not manufacture hard drives, they buy them from the same
companies that you do. Memory should be a similar situation.
Click to expand...

Double-check your model number on that dell box. If it's 4300 (not 4300s):

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr+Productline=Dell+Dimensio
n&mfr=Dell&cat=RAM&model=Dimension+4300+Systems&submit=Go
 
I tried to upgrade an old dell dimension t400r, and found that it was not
worth it.

I did it to see if I could save money and I liked the look of the box.

The motherboard can not be upgraded. I managed to get a gigabyte board
attached to the case by using screws with wing nuts, but had to change the
power supply. A new power supply was just a hair too big.

I had to do some soldering when connecting the power and reset switches as
well as the hdd led, and power light.

Larry Greenwood
 
Well I just bought a WD Caviar WD1600JB 160GB (Special Edition) I talked to
people at dell not the staff but people at there forum and none of them said
anything about the power supply or any of the other things U u all mentined
do U think my system will be able to handel the new large HD. I needed the
space bad.
: Your power supply may not have enough output to drive a second harddrive.
: They tend to skimp on the size of the power supply.
:
: --
: DaveW
:
:
:
: : > MY BOX:
: > Dell Demension 4300
: > 40gb harddrive
: > 512mb SDRAM
: >
: > I went with a dell about two years ago and now I am under the impression
: > that my Dell computer is made in a way that parts from non-dell
: manufactures
: > wont fit in the box unless bought from Dell is this true?
: >
: > Cause I need to get a second haddrive and maybe some more memory but I
: dont
: > want to purchase from dell. Does anyone have a dell box that can tell me
: if
: > this is true and or what I can do?
: >
: >
:
:
 
Your power supply may not have enough output to drive a second harddrive.
They tend to skimp on the size of the power supply.
 
Max said:
Well I just bought a WD Caviar WD1600JB 160GB (Special Edition) I talked to
people at dell not the staff but people at there forum and none of them said
anything about the power supply or any of the other things U u all mentined
do U think my system will be able to handel the new large HD. I needed the
space bad.
Click to expand...


It's unlikely one extra hard drive will draw too much current from your
original power supply. But you won't know until you try it. AT WORST, if
you find your system is unstable with two drives, you can transfer your data
files to some kind of external storage device, install Windows and
applications on the NEW hard drive, then copy your data files back to it.
You will still have the extra storage you need, but you won't have two
drives. -Dave
 
Max said:
MY BOX:
Dell Demension 4300
40gb harddrive
512mb SDRAM

I went with a dell about two years ago and now I am under the impression
that my Dell computer is made in a way that parts from non-dell manufactures
wont fit in the box unless bought from Dell is this true?

Cause I need to get a second haddrive and maybe some more memory but I dont
want to purchase from dell. Does anyone have a dell box that can tell me if
this is true and or what I can do?
Click to expand...

I would have faith that your power supply has enough umph for whatever
addins the case has room for, a notable exception being a high-power
video card: I wouldn't add a video card that has its own cooling fan.

I wouldn't expect it to be a problem to add a normal hard drive and as
many normal RAM sticks as you have room for.
 
I have added as many as four hard drives to the dimension. Currently
running three and two cd drives.

Just pay attention to your power supply output.

Larry Greenwood
 
Max said:
MY BOX:
Dell Demension 4300
40gb harddrive
512mb SDRAM

I went with a dell about two years ago and now I am under the impression
that my Dell computer is made in a way that parts from non-dell manufactures
wont fit in the box unless bought from Dell is this true?

Cause I need to get a second haddrive and maybe some more memory but I dont
want to purchase from dell. Does anyone have a dell box that can tell me if
this is true and or what I can do?
Click to expand...

I'm not saying I "know it all" ; but my own personal experience
with Dell boxes is:

1) You can throw standard parts at the memory slots and card slots;
you just have to "be aware" of the standard limitations for the
"time frame" and general configuration. Same with harddrives and
opticals..

2) You can't upgrade the mobo with a generic; Dell's "ATX"
connector _isn't_ !!
You'll have to buy a new 'genereric' ATX power supply as well.
 
I've added to larger hard drives to both our dell 's the past few years,
also extra cdrw's with no problem. The dell does limit itself by the
physical size of the case. I finally sold the computers at yard sales and
built my own computer for the larger case and expansion capabilities. I
never had a problem with Dell having a power problem, other than not enough
ventilation fans, I would have been better off also installing an extra
cooling fan.

Jim
 
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