Dell Dimension Upgrades

 capt512

Often a clean reinstall of XP can help the system operate faster.

Yes, you can replace 2 x 256mb RDRAM modules, with a matching pair of 512mb modules, the 8200 will support 2gb of RAM, but you should check the cost, as RDRAM is very expensive and for a system as old as the 8200, it may not be worth the cost.

The 1gb of RDRAM that's installed should more than adequate for XP.

There is no upgrade to 48 bit LBA support in the BIOS of the 8200 because the initial release of the BIOS already provided that support, to install above120GB hard drives in the Dimension 8200 requires, XP SP1 [or higher]. 

IDE 1tb hard drives are not available.

As the 8200 is eight years old, it would be prudent to replace the battery on the motherboard.    A 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell is required, this can be purchased from a Radio Shack, WalMart, or most pharmacies.

Hint: Before replacing the CMOS battery, make a note of the system setup settings, as a reference.

Bev.

First thing to do (if you haven't already done so) would be to download (PDF) your Dell Owner's Manual for the Dimension 8200 here http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/index.htm.  Very valuable to have at your fingertips.  In looking at the manual it appears you can install a second hard drive, and then you could  transfer some of what you have on your 120GB to a larger drive.  Then you won't have to worry about reinstalling Windows, etc. to a new drive.  I have all my basic (Word, Excell, etc.) programs on my little old 80GB main drive, and installed all my games on the second hard drive.   Also transferred all those room-taking things like photos, videos, pdf files, etc. to the second, larger drive.

As far as memory goes, if you go to a memory specific website such as Crucial.com http://www.crucial.com/?gclid=CKb4hf2u1qQCFd9n5QodIC87KA&cpe=pd_google_us&ef_id=1705:3:s_659356c7d7f56308c946f098c41c339c_1771684853:TLkRyQqoEGQAAHX7ytQAAABV:20101016024529 and fill out their short questionnaire, you may be able to find memory cards suitable for your system.  Or, they can scan (recommended) your system to see what you have/need.  Be sure to read your manual concerning the TYPE of memory you can install.  I believe your system has 4 memory slots.  If you only have 256MG of RAM right now, you should be able to change those out for four 512MG cards to achieve the total allowed of 2GBs (NOTE: For some reason I cannot remember, with a 32-bit system not all of the RAM is counted by your system, so even if you install 2MG of RAM, your system will only recognize 1.5MG of it. I just found that out when I upgraded from 3MBs for 4MBs of memory -- my system only recognizes 3.5MB).  Still, with more RAM and a second hard drive getting your space-eating stuff, you should see a difference in performance.  Even if Crucial doesn't carry the cards you need, you can search for them.  Your manual says you'd be looking for PC800 (non-ECC) RDRAM.  Google it.

The Techical Specifications page of your manual (under Power) tells you what kind of backup battery you have.  If you are concerned that you need to replace yours just search for/buy it on the web.

FYI:  There is a great FREE program called BELARC that will analyize your computer.  Download it here: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html.  BELARC will show just about everything that's on your hard drive.  Among many other things, it'll tell you how many memory slots you have and what is currently in them, and what kind of hard drive you have because you'll have to get the same kind.  Then again, your Dell manual has this information.

I'm not a technician.  Just an ordinary computer user.  Hope some of this helps and keeps your 8200 running for some time to come..

I may have given you the wrong link to your manual.  Try http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/.  Sorry about that.  I believe your manual says your system supports ATA IDE drives.  They do come in 500GB and 1TB size.  Suggestion:  Go to the Dell Support website, enter your computer service tag number and search for hard drives for your system.  Once you've found one you like, check around the web to see if you can get a better price.   Sometimes you can, sometimes not.

What I am looking to do: Upgrade hard drive size, I am maxed out on this 120GB drive and would like to go 500GB or 1TB if possible, will this motherboard/system accept it?

It should handle 1tb or even 2tb with a third-party SATA card like I used in my 2350 and 4550.

Wow quick replies, thanks to everyone so far!

Replies in order:

-Shesagordie

I do plan a clean install immediatly, was just seeing what upgrades I should do first so that everything is installed together fresh.

GREAT info about the memory, I had a feeing that would be the case, more expensive than its worth, so I will just leave it be.

Good to know about the Bios, would there be any point of upgrading to 09? Bios, I saw some people talk of it on forums...If not I'm not gonna mess with it.

Yeah I had a feeling the battery needed to be replaced and will pick one up today.

Didn't even realize I was using an IDE hard drive, just saw the "Upgrade to 80GB ATA/ 100 Hard Drive" on my original order form and mistakingly thought that meant SATA, not IDE, but reading the 8200 manual link provided I note it only speaks of IDE drive and ATA66 or ATA100?  Is there any easy way to change to SATA?  1TB isn't crucial to me, but I do notice the SATA drives have a much faster read rate at 3GB instead of 100MB that the IDE have...

Eve3faces -

Thanks for the link to the manual on the 8200, have the original that came with the computer but don't remember it being that informative! 

I too noticed the ability to use a 2nd drive easily, but have always thought whatever I had stored on the 2nd drive would be slower to access if I run system function like windows on the primary drive?  I do however have a 120 external that I bought a few years back that I transfered my info on so I can just transfer it back after a fresh load.

I tried using Crucial before posting here, as well as other memory sites but none of them could either recognize the system or tell me what I needed, as they stated it was too old.  Looks like I would be spending a very pretty penny to replace with 4 512 cards though, so I doubt I would justify the cost.

Thanks for the link to Belarc, I will check it out.

Rdunnill -

More info?  Are you refering to a ATA to SATA adapter? like this http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&expIds=17259,25982,26637,26764,26794&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=ata+to+sata+converter&cp=13&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA&wrapid=tljp128723763393932&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=1054554910712509756&ei=DLC5TJuvJYy8sAOx1cmyDw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=image&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CEMQ8gIwAg#

Eve3faces - I tried going to the support site and entering the service tag but it won't come up.  It comes up on the configuration checker but not when I try to check for upgrades etc.

I was referring to a third-party SATA PCI card like the Syba 150R.

You're welcome.  Nowadays they don't send manuals -- you have to download them.

I had no idea RDRAM was so EXPENSIVE.  Yikes.  However, if you could afford about $40, I found you can get 2-256 cards at RDRAM4LESS http://www.rdram4less.com/dedi8281sapc4.html, which would up you from 1/2MG to 1MG in memory.  Their selection is limited because your system requires non-ECC cards..  And they only work If you have a 400 Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus - I couldn't determine that in looking at your manual),  so if you are unsure, you can email your Dell Service Tag number to them and they'll check.   A 2-512MG card kit at their site is $140.

I have never had a problem accessing games, etc. from a second drive.  They have always run just fine with no loss of speed.  You cannot mix ATA and SATA drives on your machine.  When I got my new computer I thought I could just pop my game drive (ATA) into my new machine.  Wrong.  The drive connections for ATA and SATA drives are totally different..

Sorry about Crucial.  After I sent my post I checked them for your system and found they couldn't offer anything.  And I guess your Service Tag at Dell can't help much as they no longer carry upgrade parts for your system, although they still seem to have some driver updates. 

 capt512

Happy to have helped and good luck. :emotion-21:

Bev.

I didn't look real hard at the one I posted it just looked similar, this is the exact one I got from a local computer shop.... Its definetly not as easy as the one you show.... Is this the wrong thing?

You're welcome.  Nowadays they don't send manuals -- you have to download them. I had no idea RDRAM was so EXPENSIVE.  Yikes.  However, if you could afford about $40, I found you can get 2-256 cards at RDRAM4LESS http://www.rdram4less.com/dedi8281sapc4.html, which would up you from 1/2MG to 1MG in memory.  Their selection is limited because your system requires non-ECC cards..  And they only work If you have a 400 Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus - I couldn't determine that in looking at your manual),  so if you are unsure, you can email your Dell Service Tag number to them and they'll check.   A 2-512MG card kit at their site is $140. I have never had a problem accessing games, etc. from a second drive.  They have always run just fine with no loss of speed.  You cannot mix ATA and SATA drives on your machine.  When I got my new computer I thought I could just pop my game drive (ATA) into my new machine.  Wrong.  The drive connections for ATA and SATA drives are totally different.. Sorry about Crucial.  After I sent my post I checked them for your system and found they couldn't offer anything.  And I guess your Service Tag at Dell can't help much as they no longer carry upgrade parts for your system, although they still seem to have some driver updates.

Eve3Faces

The 'OP' capt512 already has 1GB of RDRAM installed, quote '1023 RAM (256MB RDRAM x4, 400Mhz)', to upgrade the memory, as the 8200 only has 4 slots, two of the 256MB modules would need to be replaced with 2 x 512MB RDRAM modules would be required, to give a a total of 1.5GB of RDRAM. 

Bev.

 capt512

The adaptor connects to the drive, not the motherboard.

You show the wrong adaptor, you need a IDE to SATA, similar to THIS, not a SATA to IDE converter

When you use this format of Adaptor, a SATA data cable is not required, nor is power adaptor, the 4-pin Molex power connector should plug directly into the adaptor.

Bev.

Hmmm...

So I went to the store today to purchase a IDE to SATA converter like this (http://www.comegacity.com/cables-computer/serial-ata-cables/ultra-ult40322-sata-to-ide-adapter) and then purchased a 1tb SATA drive from BBY - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Western+Digital+-+Caviar+Black+1TB+Internal+Serial+ATA+Hard+Drive+for+Desktops/8909595.p?id=1213047091732&skuId=8909595&st=8909595&cp=1&lp=1 . However now I'm lost,

I'm guessing the adaptor needs to plug into the motherboard and then I need to buy a SATA cable to connect that to the hard drive?

What about power, the only power plug I have is the typical 4pin that plugged into the EIDE drive...so do I need some kind of adapter to plug power in or do I plug the power SATA cable into the adapter?? 

Thanks!

Not a clue on the make and model.... You know what I know, went to the local shop and asked for an IDE to SATA adapter to allow use of a SATA drive on an IDE motherboard.  This is what they sold me, no box, no info, etc.  Said it was the only one they had, screwed me on price too, but I was trying to get it installed this weekend...which is a lost cause it appears...and they are the only ones that carry it in stock.

All I see on it is PCB:IDE to SATA        628E       0719

The guys (a bunch of 16year old idiots) at the computer shop said to plug it in to the drive and it should be good, they are closed on sundays so can't call them now.  It really doesn't seem to fit SATA or IDE...It will go in the IDE spot on the old hard drive but has about 1/4" on each side from touching...so it doesn't seem to fit right.

Hmm just saw your note about the data cable and power which is what it looked like I needed to me too...figures, which would mean almost another $40 at the computer place to get it running without waiting for something to ship from newegg or similar, makeing it $70+ in adapter pieces...

Speed wise am I looking at much difference between SATA and EIDE?  Reason asked is I did find a 500GB WD EIDE locally that I could just swap in and save the $70 in adapters as it is the same price as the 1TB SATA drive... 

 capt512

First, I edited my last post, to add more info,.

I think the sixteen year old idiots, that said "to plug it in to the drive" were right, but the adaptor they sold to you, is for connecting an IDE drive to a SATA motherboard and you want an adaptor that connects a SATA drive to an IDE motherboard/controller.

Personally, I would return the adaptor to the computer store for refund and buy the one from Newegg.

Ain't computers fun.  :emotion-4:

Bev.