Need help with installation of a power supply on Dell Dimension 2400

[Aedammir]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my* Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all. So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

 

[SC Tom]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out
with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her
boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from
her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my*
Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all.
So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet
another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered
right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the
new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his
other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up
with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the
world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still
will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone
bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running
fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened
to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I
have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it
could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about
to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

You'd probably be better off posting in a Dell newsgroup or forum where the
people may be more familiar with this particular model.

Double-check all your connections on the Dell that doesn't work to the Dell
that does. There may be one of the smaller signal connections that is either
reversed, or you missed plugging it in. I don't know about the motherboard
that's in it, but be sure the plug for CPU power is in. Make sure none of
the contacts maybe slipped out of the plug a little. Not likely on a new PS,
but not unheard of.

When you installed the PS and turned it on, did anything at all happen, like
lights coming on or drives trying to spin up, or is it just dead like it's
not even plugged into the wall?

From what I can find out on-line (very quick and shallow search), it's a
mATX motherboard, so there will be a small plug with 2 wires that is the
trigger for the PS. That has to be plugged in for the PS to power up.

SC Tom

 

[Paul]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my* Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all. So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

One thing that has changed over the years, is the provision of a
-5V output on power supplies. Computers were supposed to stop
using that, ages ago.

If you were to buy a new 20 pin supply today, chances are, you'd
find pin 18 is missing. That would be where the -5V wire used
to be. The 24 pin is in a similar situation, as it too would be
missing the -5V wire. But the pin number would be adjusted
appropriately (because of the pin counting order, the number
of the pin will not be the same).

This is my standard collection of power supply specs, from
oldest to newest. The page numbers in brackets, should
show the main power supply connector. You can compare
that information, to your collection of power supplies,
and see if there is a "-5V correlation".

http://web.archive.org/web/20030424...org/developer/specs/atx/ATX_ATX12V_PS_1_1.pdf (page 27)

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/atx/ATX12V_1_3dg.pdf (page 30)

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf (page 37)

You could also examine the labels on the supplies, and see
if the formerly working one mentions having a -5V output.

HTH,
Paul

 

[john]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my* Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all. So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

I would investigate other things if the power supply does not solve your
problem. Installing a power supply is very simple but, there could be
other problems. The first thing I would check is that the original
power supply-- does it or does it not put out the proper voltages.

 

[Aedammir]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out
with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her
boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from
her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my*
Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all.
So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet
another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered
right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the
new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his
other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up
with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the
world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still
will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone
bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running
fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened
to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I
have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it
could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about
to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

You'd probably be better off posting in a Dell newsgroup or forum where the
people may be more familiar with this particular model.

Double-check all your connections on the Dell that doesn't work to the Dell
that does. There may be one of the smaller signal connections that is either
reversed, or you missed plugging it in. I don't know about the motherboard
that's in it, but be sure the plug for CPU power is in. Make sure none of
the contacts maybe slipped out of the plug a little. Not likely on a new PS,
but not unheard of.

When you installed the PS and turned it on, did anything at all happen, like
lights coming on or drives trying to spin up, or is it just dead like it's
not even plugged into the wall?

From what I can find out on-line (very quick and shallow search), it's a
mATX motherboard, so there will be a small plug with 2 wires that is the
trigger for the PS. That has to be plugged in for the PS to power up.

SC Tom

Thanks, Tom, lights on the motherboard came on but we did not hear the hard
drives spin up. That was puzzling to me. Also, there is an on and off
switch on the back and I was hoping my son had just not turned it on there,
but we tried it again and still nothing. I did look through the Dell
newsgroups
last night, but in the far past am just used to getting help here much
faster.
I am going to call Dell, also. AGAIN I should say, I did already but we
knew more than the tech man we spoke to!

 

[Aedammir]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out
with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her
boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from
her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my*
Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all.
So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet
another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered
right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the
new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his
other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up
with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the
world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still
will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone
bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running
fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened
to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I
have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it
could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about
to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

One thing that has changed over the years, is the provision of a
-5V output on power supplies. Computers were supposed to stop
using that, ages ago.

If you were to buy a new 20 pin supply today, chances are, you'd
find pin 18 is missing. That would be where the -5V wire used
to be. The 24 pin is in a similar situation, as it too would be
missing the -5V wire. But the pin number would be adjusted
appropriately (because of the pin counting order, the number
of the pin will not be the same).

This is my standard collection of power supply specs, from
oldest to newest. The page numbers in brackets, should
show the main power supply connector. You can compare
that information, to your collection of power supplies,
and see if there is a "-5V correlation".

http://web.archive.org/web/20030424...org/developer/specs/atx/ATX_ATX12V_PS_1_1.pdf
(page 27)

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/atx/ATX12V_1_3dg.pdf (page 30)

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf
(page 37)

You could also examine the labels on the supplies, and see
if the formerly working one mentions having a -5V output.

HTH,
Paul

You are right, pin 18 is missing. Thanks for the links, I have saved the
files, I just need to educate myself more, I am not keeping up with these
things like I need to, if I am to help my friends with their computers. I
wish all were universal, ha, ha, but then they wouldn't make their big
bucks, would they. Although I have installed quite a number of power
supplies I just basically know how to install hardware - as long as it goes
right in and works without any problems, as you can see! I am much more
comfortable dealing with a bsod than hardware. Crazy, huh. I've just never
had any problem with any power supplies I have installed. I always rely on
my son to do the hardware, he, he.

By the way, I am probably about to ask a dumb question here, but the power
supply having higher watts shouldn't make a difference, should it? The
original had 200 watts and the new one has 400.

 

[Aedammir]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

On to the problem. Granny ordered and received the Dimensions brand-new
(whenever Dimension 2400s were new) and used her machine for just
approximately three to four months. Since my son decided to put one of his
better computers at her house, Granny decides to put hers back in the box
for the time being and was satisfied using my son's computer. Since she is
aware of the fact that my son and I are constantly helping friends out
with
their hardware, operating systems and such, at that time she sent her
boxed
computer to my house so that I could order a new power supply for her when
she wanted it running again.

Ok, so a few months later the power supply in my son's machine at Granny's
stopped working, so Granny decides to let him put the power supply from
her
Dimension at my house into his machine.

Well, that time has come, Granny wants hers running again. So last week I
buy the appropriate new power supply from Dell. My son installs the new
power supply in Granny's and to his dismay, Granny's Dimension does not
power up. I then check everything to make sure all is correctly installed.
It is. But for the heck of it I decided to try the power supply on *my*
Dell
Dimension (it has been running fine) and alas, nothing, no power at all.
So
we decide the power supply is a bad one. As I am ranting and raving about
the new power supply, my son decides to try the power supply on yet
another
computer here (a non Dell) and can you believe it it, that one powered
right
up with the new supply.

Now be aware that both Dells were working before we decided to try the new
supply in them. In fact, I had to shut my Dell down so he could put the
new
power supply in mine. Since the new supply works in my other (non-Dell)
computer - my son wouldn't have it any other way except to go get his
other
computer from his Granny's so that he could put back the original one that
came in hers's. He puts the new one in his Gateway. His powers right up
with
the new one. However, hers does not, even with the one that was working in
his a mere fifteen minutes before. So I am now thinking what in the
world?!

We also tried yet another new power supply in both Dells and they still
will
not power up, but yet two other computers *will* power up with both.

What have I missed here? Is hard to believe that both have suddenly gone
bad
on me, he, he. I know for a fact that his Granny's computer was running
fine
when he shut it down and brought it to my house. And nothing has happened
to
it at all here at my house, in fact it has been practically in front of me
every day as it is in my den. I was with him when he brought it here and
know that nothing happened to it on the way here. So - in a way - I am
thinking nothing is really wrong with hers since *my* Dell won't power up
with either of the new ones. Well, nothing except for the fact it is a
branded computer. It could be something small... as with most people, I
have
been running in 90 different directions and have possibly missed something
right in my face here, but for the life of me cannot think of what it
could
be. I successfully stopped cussing a month ago but all that is now about
to
go to sh.... well - anyways, I now know what wtf means after I've heard my
son say things I never thought he'd say in front of me.

All help keeping Granny off my ass is greatly appreciated.

Aedammir

I would investigate other things if the power supply does not solve your
problem. Installing a power supply is very simple but, there could be
other problems. The first thing I would check is that the original
power supply-- does it or does it not put out the proper voltages.

At this point, other things definitely need to be investigated. I think I am
going to need a different power supply as well as something else. Granny's
machine at first - the motherboard lights were on plus we could hear the hdd
spin. Now we cannot hear anything, all seems totally dead on the computer.
But I am not going to let it beat us - me, I mean, my son has long given up
on it!

I will definitely reply as soon as I get this issue resolved. Thanks much
for ALL help!

I will reply as soon as I have resolved this and thank all of you for your
help, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Paul]

You are right, pin 18 is missing. Thanks for the links, I have saved the
files, I just need to educate myself more, I am not keeping up with these
things like I need to, if I am to help my friends with their computers. I
wish all were universal, ha, ha, but then they wouldn't make their big
bucks, would they. Although I have installed quite a number of power
supplies I just basically know how to install hardware - as long as it goes
right in and works without any problems, as you can see! I am much more
comfortable dealing with a bsod than hardware. Crazy, huh. I've just never
had any problem with any power supplies I have installed. I always rely on
my son to do the hardware, he, he.

By the way, I am probably about to ask a dumb question here, but the power
supply having higher watts shouldn't make a difference, should it? The
original had 200 watts and the new one has 400.

The power rating refers to the maximum power. So a 400 watt supply
can work from 0 watts up to 400 watts, or any value in between. If
you connect a 150W computing load, it is happy as a clam.

In fact, *every* parameter on the power supply label means something.
So "watts" is not the only consideration. Each rail has its own
maximum ampere rating.

Supply loading has changed over the years. For example, I have
a motherboard from the AMD Athlon S462 socket era, that draws
pretty heavily from 3.3V and 5V, and not much from 12V. I have
a modern system here, which loads 12V mainly, and 3.3V and 5V only
a little bit. So when purchasing a power supply, you do have
to consider both the vintage of system, and do some simple
minded calculations and estimates, to better match the power
supply selection to the project.

On my Athlon S462 board, that means I recommend a supply with
at least 5V @ 25A. While on my Core2 system, 5V @ 20A is a
safe minimum, and it probably doesn't use even half of that.
So not only the total watts, but which rails are "beefy",
matters.

I currently have an Enermax supply, that happens to cover
all three rails with equal levels of beef, so in an emergency,
my current supply could be used to resurrect my S462 system.
But my current supply may not start or operate my oldest
computer, due to the missing -5V wire.

Some older systems, use non-standard wiring, and for that,
keep an eye out for the wire colors. If the wire colors
in the harness don't "look right", don't turn it on. For the
systems which are non-standard, there is no protection against
mistakes, so something can get smoked. Also, some of those
pre-built computers, have extra, non-standard connectors,
to ensure a miserable repair experience for whoever works
on them. Luckily, this trend seems to have corrected itself,
so there is less of the non-standard approach in current
systems.

Paul

 

[M.I.5¾]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

I am not sure how old that Dell model is, but historically Dell power
supplies were *not* interchangeable with non Dell power supplies. I
understand that this is no longer the case as Dell use standard
motherboards.

 

[SC Tom]

You'd probably be better off posting in a Dell newsgroup or forum where
the
people may be more familiar with this particular model.

Double-check all your connections on the Dell that doesn't work to the
Dell
that does. There may be one of the smaller signal connections that is
either
reversed, or you missed plugging it in. I don't know about the motherboard
that's in it, but be sure the plug for CPU power is in. Make sure none of
the contacts maybe slipped out of the plug a little. Not likely on a new
PS,
but not unheard of.

When you installed the PS and turned it on, did anything at all happen,
like
lights coming on or drives trying to spin up, or is it just dead like it's
not even plugged into the wall?

From what I can find out on-line (very quick and shallow search), it's a
mATX motherboard, so there will be a small plug with 2 wires that is the
trigger for the PS. That has to be plugged in for the PS to power up.

SC Tom

Thanks, Tom, lights on the motherboard came on but we did not hear the
hard
drives spin up. That was puzzling to me. Also, there is an on and off
switch on the back and I was hoping my son had just not turned it on
there,
but we tried it again and still nothing. I did look through the Dell
newsgroups
last night, but in the far past am just used to getting help here much
faster.
I am going to call Dell, also. AGAIN I should say, I did already but we
knew more than the tech man we spoke to!

I totally understand. I hate having to call the cable company for internet
problems and I have to walk him through the solution.

SC Tom

 

[Aedammir]

You'd probably be better off posting in a Dell newsgroup or forum where
the
people may be more familiar with this particular model.

Double-check all your connections on the Dell that doesn't work to the
Dell
that does. There may be one of the smaller signal connections that is
either
reversed, or you missed plugging it in. I don't know about the motherboard
that's in it, but be sure the plug for CPU power is in. Make sure none of
the contacts maybe slipped out of the plug a little. Not likely on a new
PS,
but not unheard of.

When you installed the PS and turned it on, did anything at all happen,
like
lights coming on or drives trying to spin up, or is it just dead like it's
not even plugged into the wall?

From what I can find out on-line (very quick and shallow search), it's a
mATX motherboard, so there will be a small plug with 2 wires that is the
trigger for the PS. That has to be plugged in for the PS to power up.

SC Tom

Thanks, Tom, lights on the motherboard came on but we did not hear the
hard
drives spin up. That was puzzling to me. Also, there is an on and off
switch on the back and I was hoping my son had just not turned it on
there,
but we tried it again and still nothing. I did look through the Dell
newsgroups
last night, but in the far past am just used to getting help here much
faster.
I am going to call Dell, also. AGAIN I should say, I did already but we
knew more than the tech man we spoke to!

I totally understand. I hate having to call the cable company for internet
problems and I have to walk him through the solution.

SC Tom

Oh, that is a nightmare here, too! Once we didn't have Internet for three
days and being as I had two or three computers here to repair, I called Tech
Support to ask them if they had any idea when we would be back up and I said
"I help out my friends with their computers and need to get to a certain web
site to get drivers, do you know when we will be back up?" The reply was
"Oh, we don't deal with web sites, we only do the Internet". Oh, me.

 

[Aedammir]

You are right, pin 18 is missing. Thanks for the links, I have saved the
files, I just need to educate myself more, I am not keeping up with these
things like I need to, if I am to help my friends with their computers. I
wish all were universal, ha, ha, but then they wouldn't make their big
bucks, would they. Although I have installed quite a number of power
supplies I just basically know how to install hardware - as long as it
goes
right in and works without any problems, as you can see! I am much more
comfortable dealing with a bsod than hardware. Crazy, huh. I've just never
had any problem with any power supplies I have installed. I always rely on
my son to do the hardware, he, he.

By the way, I am probably about to ask a dumb question here, but the power
supply having higher watts shouldn't make a difference, should it? The
original had 200 watts and the new one has 400.

The power rating refers to the maximum power. So a 400 watt supply
can work from 0 watts up to 400 watts, or any value in between. If
you connect a 150W computing load, it is happy as a clam.

In fact, *every* parameter on the power supply label means something.
So "watts" is not the only consideration. Each rail has its own
maximum ampere rating.

Supply loading has changed over the years. For example, I have
a motherboard from the AMD Athlon S462 socket era, that draws
pretty heavily from 3.3V and 5V, and not much from 12V. I have
a modern system here, which loads 12V mainly, and 3.3V and 5V only
a little bit. So when purchasing a power supply, you do have
to consider both the vintage of system, and do some simple
minded calculations and estimates, to better match the power
supply selection to the project.

On my Athlon S462 board, that means I recommend a supply with
at least 5V @ 25A. While on my Core2 system, 5V @ 20A is a
safe minimum, and it probably doesn't use even half of that.
So not only the total watts, but which rails are "beefy",
matters.

I currently have an Enermax supply, that happens to cover
all three rails with equal levels of beef, so in an emergency,
my current supply could be used to resurrect my S462 system.
But my current supply may not start or operate my oldest
computer, due to the missing -5V wire.

Some older systems, use non-standard wiring, and for that,
keep an eye out for the wire colors. If the wire colors
in the harness don't "look right", don't turn it on. For the
systems which are non-standard, there is no protection against
mistakes, so something can get smoked. Also, some of those
pre-built computers, have extra, non-standard connectors,
to ensure a miserable repair experience for whoever works
on them. Luckily, this trend seems to have corrected itself,
so there is less of the non-standard approach in current
systems.

Paul

Thank you for this information. I have certainly learned alot from this
experience. The above helps alot, as have all the replies I have received.
And, yes, I *have* worried about "smoking" some of these computers as you
said above. Thank you very much for all your info.

Aedammir

 

[Aedammir]

Hi All,

I am sorry for the long story here but need advice badly. My son and I
have
problems with a couple of Dell Dimension 2400s; one belongs to my son's
Grandmother and the other belongs to me. A few years back my ex
mother-in-law - "Granny" I will call her - ordered a computer from Dell.
Dell accidentally shipped two just alike to "Granny's house". I called to
tell them as much and when I did decided to buy the second one; I already
had one computer but needed two at that time.

I am not sure how old that Dell model is, but historically Dell power
supplies were *not* interchangeable with non Dell power supplies. I
understand that this is no longer the case as Dell use standard
motherboards.

I always keep a file on every computer repair and use Everest to get a
complete profile on every computer I repair. So I checked and she recieved
this computer in Feb. 2005. So it around four years old. At this point I am
sure it is one of the non-interchangeable ones as I ordered Dell parts for
both and both work. As stated in my last reply, thanks to all your replies,
I have certainly learned a great deal having to do with them. I am keeping
the other ones, I am sure I will need them! Again, thank you for all your
help, I certainly appreciate all.

Aedammir