Osprey4,flooby,&DennyDenham,,HELP!

Question

Hello, you guys seem to be the best ones to ask, I have been given a DELL desktop PC. My problem is, I don't have the tower so I don't know the "tag number" or the model. It is a basket case, all the parts are there. Here's what I know, Pentium III,200W power supply, Rimbus memory (128 MB), Western Digital HDD- "WD400", Windows ME 5- PCI slots, 1- PCI-E slot, NVIDIA vid card, Turtle Beach "Santa Cruz" sound card, US Robotics Sportster 56K modem, CD-R/RW, DVD-ROM, floppy drive, Zip drive, 2 PS/2 jacks, 2 rear USB jacks, etc. any suggestions on how I might figure out the model or tag number so I can find the manuals on it???? THANX
scorcer

Denny Denham · Answer

scorcer,

It will take some research but if you go to User Guides in the drop down menu under Product Support, then to Systems|Dimension and start examining the technical specifications of various systems you may be able to reduce it down to one or two systems. One likely candidate is the Dimension 4100, see this. It matches the power supply, USB configuration, and PS/2 ports.

scorcer · Answer

WOW, that was quick, I had already been doing that but I hadn't got to deminsions yet, but thanx any way, I'll post here to let you know my progress, I plan on visiting your links later, C-YA!

HEY, you were right D.D., thanx, you saved me alot of teadious browsing. Now do you know what I can do about replacing the mini-tower?

OH, by the way, you dont know any thing about compaq presarios with window me do you????

Message Edited by scorcer on 10-26-2004 09:52 PM

volcano11 · Answer

If it is a Dimension system, the only Dimension System Dell sold with a Pentium III and Rambus Memory was the XPS - B series. There was probably a more or less equivalent Optiplex system, but I am not as familiar with the Optiplex line so I wouldn't be able to help much there.

Steve

osprey4 · Answer

I don't believe the Optiplex systems came with Rambus memory. We've used Optiplex at work since the old GXa models, which were PII with SDRAM. You're probably right, an XPS B system. The pictures here should tell you:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dmag/techovu.htm

scorcer · Answer

Where do I start to look for that case, and I here ya on the advice, I do have all the parts and I've tested the motherboard (OK) , I've scanned the harddrive, checked it with spy-bot, and AVG, and defragged it, the memory was fine (only 128 tho), it seems like the previous owner didn't know what they were doing or they had too much money

scorcer · Answer

GEEZ!!!! Now I am really impressed, DD's call was so close, I assumed small discrepencies were allowable, then i looked up the XP model, and it was closer, but still not dead on as far as battery placement and fan hook-ups, but now comes the next level--- What do i do about a tower that will accomodate the DELL motherboard's configuration, or should i just "frankenstien" a frame setup, I am not shabby at metal fabrication. Isn't the most critical thing the alignment of the PCI slots and the stabilizing bar on the end of the card?
So,,, what do you guys think???

osprey4 · Answer

Shouldn't be too hard to find an old XPS case. The RAM, however, is very expensive. I'd be worried about spending too much only to find the m'board is DOA. Also keep in mind, the older Dell boards used a non-standard power supply connector. Make sure it's the one that came with the system.

osprey4 · Answer

If I was in your shoes, I'd find a local shop that sells used computer junk, bring that motherboard in and see if they have an old AT case that will fit. Or look for a local show.

Windows General

Osprey4,flooby,&DennyDenham,,HELP!

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