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Pastimes : Dream Machine ( Build your own PC ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: HRDonica who wrote (253)	2/19/1998 10:11:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 14778

Comments re: Dell or Gateway..proprietary? DELL computers are predominantly proprietary to the best of my knowledge. I have two older DELL 486 computers. Recently I gave one of my DELL computers to someone who did not have a computer. They don't have a lot of $ but were trying to make a go of it. The computer is five years old+/- and WAS a fine working machine. Two weeks later the CMOS battery failed. Turns out that the battery is SOLDERED TO THE MOTHERBOARD and is NOT USER REPLACEABLE. I don't know about their recent machines. If they think I will spend $2500 (that is what the 486 DELL ran me) for a machine that will self destruct after five years.... I believe you will find that most of the major computers are difficult to upgrade. I was under the impression that Micron computers had fewer proprietary parts. I think you will find the best support with the machines that are the most proprietary. A tough call. I have "played/worked" with computers for five plus years and have the confidence to do it without "we appreciate your business, all of our support personnel are busy helping other customers, please hold the line for the next available technician, or call back later when we are not so busy:)" There is a wealth of information available to end users on the Internet. You may need two machines too make use of it. The working one and the one you are trying to upgrade. I don't know about the Gateway machines. Zeuspaul

To: HRDonica who wrote (253)	2/20/1998 8:41:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

Proprietary formats? Ask Dell or Gateway what standard format their case is. Find out if it is AT or ATX. If it is not one of these standard formats it is unlikely that you will be able to upgrade your motherboard (except another DELL motherboard). Also check on the video card. Find out if it is integrated to the motherboard. A video card upgrade is common. You may be able to disable the video if it is part of the board but it is a waste if you can not take it out to use in another computer or give it to someone who needs one. You will also lose a slot if you upgrade. Also check into RAM expansion. How much additional RAM can you add and how many slots are available? More slots is better as you might want to add RAM in small amounts. Find out how many PCI and ISA expansion slots are available. Again, the more the better. Can you remove and replace the modem or is it part of the motherboard? Many of the big box makers will integrate a lot on the motherboard and then short you on the expansion slots. When it comes time to upgrade you will quickly run out of slots. How many drive bays are there? You will most likely want to add a DVD and another harddrive in the future. I am looking at a DELL add with 15 computers. Only the two servers indicate the number of expansion slots and the number of drive bays. I do not see any reference to the number of RAM slots. I don't see any reference to AT or ATX form factor. Find a DELL or Gateway that you like and post the link. We will take a look and give you our opinion. Regards Zeuspaul

To: HRDonica who wrote (253)	2/24/1998 8:37:00 AM
From: buckeye3d	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

Herb, I buy PC's at our work and we use Dell and Gateways. Both are fully upgradable to the best of my knowledge. All industry standard stuff. I've upgraded my Dell's many times without a problem. This may not have been the case back when 486's were the norm, but they are now. By the way...I highly recommend Dell's to anyone. We've had over 20 at work and only 1 has had a problem and customer support was great. They had a guy out next day to replace the motherboard. Not so crazy about Gateways...more problems. Hope this helps, Alex

To: HRDonica who wrote (253)	3/29/1998 12:38:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 14778

Is Dell Proprietary? from Anand's BBS computerheaven.net >>The Question.... I'm thinking about upgrading my existing system to save money on a monitor, case, power supply, cdrom etc.. I need to know if I can use my Dell case (XPS Pxxxs MT). I think it's exactly the same as used for the newer Dell systems. Will an Abit LX6 fit in easily or would I be better of with a new case/Power supply? The Response i had a friend do the same thing, put a lx6 in his dell computer. it didnt pan out too well. dell a weird cable that comes out of their power source that normal atx boards wouldnt have, so he couldnt boot his computer up without this and he needed a new case. maybe it was only his model.. but to be sure.. i would check inside your computer, look at the cables that come out of your power source.. see if one of them looks like an old AT power connecter.. only 1 tho, not 2 like a real at power connector. if you have one of these, you will need a new case.. or at least a new power source. <<