Dells and Power Supply Compatibility

[murjax]

I need to replace my power supply on my 4 year old Dell computer. Now I read that older models use proprietary power supplies, though I don't know when or if they started using standards. I opened my computer to see what I can do since I have a spare power supply, and everything looked alright until I saw the connections to the hard drive. The connection isn't the standard 4 pins that the disc drives have and that my spare power supplies has. Do I need to call Dell to get the correct power supply?

 

[Aastii]

probably because they usually use their own form factor, sizes and connectors, so you can't replace too much in them

 

[schw32m]

Post the model number of the unit. It is a lot easier to determine the PSU design with that information instead of guessing.

 

[linkin]

I think you could fit a Micro-ATX PSU in there. my old IBM system from <2000 fitted on of those no problem. But then again, dell are known for using proprietary stuff... they even rename their mouse and keyboards from other manufacturers to Dell...

 

[porterjw]

The connection isn't the standard 4 pins that the disc drives have and that my spare power supplies has. Do I need to call Dell to get the correct power supply?

Is it a SATA Drive by chance? They don't use 4-pin molex-style power feeds. What does the connection in question look like? If it is a SATA Drive, you can just get a molex-to-SATA adapter, provided your spare PSU fits in the case.