Replacing Motherboard on Dell Dimension Computer??

[Sam]

I have a neighbor who has a Dell Dimension 8200 computer with windows XP
Prof (SP1) installed. As he was having various problems with his computer
(could not use the digital cable to connect from the monitor to the tower
anymore (had to use the analog connection), intermittent problem with mouse,
etc.) he had a technician from a small local computer company, come out and
trouble shoot the computer. His diagnosis was that the motherboard had some
in/out internal circuitry problems. He recommended that my neighbor replace
the computer with a new one.

My question: if my neighbor can purchase from Dell, a replacement
motherboard (the same type motherboard that is now on his computer) and
replace the defective motherboard, can the existing primary (C HD now
being used, be used with the replacement motherboard without any serious
difficulty? The objective would be to prevent from having to make a clean
windows XP and applications software installs.

My neighbor uses his computer for a small business and he does not want to
have to accomplish a clean install for all of the applicable software on a
clean primary HD, since he has a lot of business and computer activity going
on at the end of each year. Sorry my question and information are not too
specific since this way out of my technical level. Would appreciate any
thoughts and suggestions in reducing the efforts in fixing his computer.
Thanks, Sam.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I have a neighbor who has a Dell Dimension 8200 computer with windows
XP Prof (SP1) installed. As he was having various problems with his
computer (could not use the digital cable to connect from the monitor
to the tower anymore (had to use the analog connection), intermittent
problem with mouse, etc.) he had a technician from a small local
computer company, come out and trouble shoot the computer. His
diagnosis was that the motherboard had some in/out internal circuitry
problems. He recommended that my neighbor replace the computer with
a new one.
My question: if my neighbor can purchase from Dell, a replacement
motherboard (the same type motherboard that is now on his computer)
and replace the defective motherboard, can the existing primary (C
HD now being used, be used with the replacement motherboard without
any serious difficulty? The objective would be to prevent from
having to make a clean windows XP and applications software installs.

My neighbor uses his computer for a small business and he does not
want to have to accomplish a clean install for all of the applicable
software on a clean primary HD, since he has a lot of business and
computer activity going on at the end of each year. Sorry my
question and information are not too specific since this way out of
my technical level. Would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions in
reducing the efforts in fixing his computer. Thanks, Sam.

This would work, but you may have to have the Dell technicians install the
replacement MB.
Replacing with a non-replacement MB would mean you would need to purchase
another OEM license.

Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address box.
OEM clarification.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[David H. Lipman]

Dell MB's are easy to replace. However, it would have to be a Dell MB as they are
proprietary and no standard ATXC MB would fit properly in the chassis.

Dave



| I have a neighbor who has a Dell Dimension 8200 computer with windows XP
| Prof (SP1) installed. As he was having various problems with his computer
| (could not use the digital cable to connect from the monitor to the tower
| anymore (had to use the analog connection), intermittent problem with mouse,
| etc.) he had a technician from a small local computer company, come out and
| trouble shoot the computer. His diagnosis was that the motherboard had some
| in/out internal circuitry problems. He recommended that my neighbor replace
| the computer with a new one.
|
| My question: if my neighbor can purchase from Dell, a replacement
| motherboard (the same type motherboard that is now on his computer) and
| replace the defective motherboard, can the existing primary (C HD now
| being used, be used with the replacement motherboard without any serious
| difficulty? The objective would be to prevent from having to make a clean
| windows XP and applications software installs.
|
| My neighbor uses his computer for a small business and he does not want to
| have to accomplish a clean install for all of the applicable software on a
| clean primary HD, since he has a lot of business and computer activity going
| on at the end of each year. Sorry my question and information are not too
| specific since this way out of my technical level. Would appreciate any
| thoughts and suggestions in reducing the efforts in fixing his computer.
| Thanks, Sam.
|
|

 

[Sam]

Michael, many thanks for your reply. Monday, I will help my neighbor to
phone Dell and see if they will sell him the replacement motherboard. If
not, will ask if they will send out a Dell technician to install the
replacement motherboard. This would be such a time saver for him if he
could have the existing primary HD work with the replacement motherboard.

Michael, would appreciate any additional thoughts and suggestions as to what
my neighbor should check for (such as event viewer, device manager, etc)
after the motherboard is replaced. Thanks again, Sam.

 

[wayne]

I would check with the Dell web site and see if the computer was still
under warranty. IF it is out by a small amount I would still try to get them
to replace it free. I would also use the Dell tech support to troubleshoot
the board.

you can buy the board for 230.00

http://store.yahoo.com/impactcomputersmiami/7g535.html

Wayne

 

[Michael Stevens]

Michael, many thanks for your reply. Monday, I will help my neighbor
to phone Dell and see if they will sell him the replacement
motherboard. If not, will ask if they will send out a Dell
technician to install the replacement motherboard. This would be
such a time saver for him if he could have the existing primary HD
work with the replacement motherboard.
Michael, would appreciate any additional thoughts and suggestions as
to what my neighbor should check for (such as event viewer, device
manager, etc) after the motherboard is replaced. Thanks again, Sam.

There really shouldn't be any problems. It should be like a normal reboot.
Always backup important data before any major hardware swap, but I wouldn't
expect any in this case. Looks like the link supplied by Wayne is a source
for the new board, but I would check with Dell anyway just to find out.

 

[Sam]

TO: Michael, Dave, and Wayne, thanks very much for your replies and
information.

As suggested, I am going to recommend that my neighbor contact Dell for
possible warranty support. His major problems started in less than a month
out of his three year Dell warranty (ending in October 2004). I suspect the
problems were there before the warranty expiration since he indicated that
he had began to have some intermittent computer problems in the last few
months. If he can get the motherboard replacement to work, I know he would
be so happy that he would not complain about having to pay for the
replacement motherboard if it comes to that. Have a good weekend, Sam.

 

[wayne]

I am not sure why he did not call Dell to start with since it is about 2
months out of warranty it is possible he could get the mobo for free and
install it himself or maybe get a price break on the board. Make sure he
escalates the call up to a manager or supervisor.
He will probably get a person in India. You just need to make sure he
writes down who he spoke to and if they have a # along with their name. Ask
for a supervisor right away, if the techs says maybe I can help you ask if
they can authorize the replacement of a MOBO pass the warranty period if
they say no, then you have a reason to get to a supervisor. If they say
yes, say hang on one second I want to record this call. wait a second then
say something like. My name is Bob I am speaking with Sharif from Dell tech
support and he has told me he is authorized to send me a replacement
motherboard that is out of warranty. If he then balks ask for a supervisor.

While it always pays to be polite, you need to take them out of their game
on the phone. They have had training to do certain things, if you go
outside of this BOX they have then you can get to a supervisor easier. I
have been dealing with Dell since they were PCs Limited. Be polite but be
persistent as far as what you want a motherboard sent to you free of charge
for you to replace yourself.

Wayne

 

[Sam]

Wayne, many thanks for the excellent information and suggestions!! Sam