Dino XPS 400 needs new motherboard. Options?

I

Intune

New Member
:confused: $300+ for new motherboard. :eek: I don't game on it, edit video's or have any other intensive power needs. I'm old... :rolleyes: The dual-core with G-Force 6800 vcard (I think) worked fine for my needs.

What should I do? Can I get some kind of "basic" shell with a power supply, motherboard & transfer my old hard drive, memory, dvd reader & video card over to it? Trash the whole thing? Pay $300 for the motherboard? Buy a new computer

Bummed & confused in Nashville...

Thanks for any guidance.
 
Well with a computer that old, it really is not worth the $300 to replace the mobo.

However, if you go the route of finding another motherboard, you can save everything, but would have to re-install Windows once everything is in place. So you'd also have to get another license for Windows.
 
Sounds about like one we have in the shop, though it's got either a bad motherboard or (probably) power supply. Problem is, both are very proprietary.

I'd say just build a new computer and reuse some of the old parts. If the hard drives are SATA, they'd be easy to pop in. If the GPU is PCI-Express, it'd be easy to use. I'd suggest forget trying to find a replacement mobo that'd work with the CPU or RAM.
 
Thanks guys.

I think that I have the SATA connectors. The guy that diagnosed the mobo was showing me the guts & he mentioned SATA (I think) little "L" shaped plugs on the hard drive compared to a longer strip of pins kinda connector on another computer, right? Pretty tech savvy, aren't I?...:o I don't know about the GPU though being PCI-Exp. Can I tell by looking if you tell me what to look for? :D

I'll have to buy another Windows lic even if I keep everything the same except mobo? Dang.

I'll do a search on here for the best route to go in building a box & where to buy. I've heard of Newegg for electronics.

Should I just get a basic Dell like this Inspiron 560 for $270 or is Dell a dog? And if I go with a new comp can I transfer my info from my old HD easily?

Intel® Celeron® 450 (2.2GHz,512K L2,800MHz)
MEMORY 2GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz- 2 DIMMs
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
VIDEO CARD Integrated Intel® GMA X4500 Graphics
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
 
You don't need a new computer, unless you just want to spend the money on one. You can just buy an aftermarket motherboard, case, and power supply and swap everything over.

Normally it'd just be an aftermarket mobo, but Dell uses a non-standard form factor.

If you're looking at buying a new computer, you're better off just building one. It'll be much higher quality, and last a lot longer. Dell typically uses crappy motherboards and other low-end parts, as do most other big brands.

What's your budget?
 
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i think it will be better if you change whole of your computer hardware. You are buying a new motherboard so buy other accessories too it will give you a new and fresh experience and change is better than keeping the old accessories especially in computers.
 
My daughter actually owns a Dell XPS 400, I have messed with that thing for years. It has ran excellent for over 5 years now. I know it inside and out.;)

Here are a few issues to consider:
1. The replacement parts are few and far between and as you know...expensive.
2. You can keep most of your old hardware (RAM, Graphics Card, hard drives) If you keep your hard drives and add them to a new computer, you will have to reinstall Windows and that will make you loose everything on the hard drives. Make sure to back up all important information on an external hard drive. I am sure by now the hard drives have several years on them and it might just be best to get a new one.


I would suggest building a new one all together. You would put a lot of time, money and effort into the Dell and really would only have the same thing you started with. Is it even worth it? You could have a computer for about $500 that will leave that Pentium D Dual Core in the dust.:D

If you are interested in building one or buying a complete system, just let us know. Tons of people here will help you choose the best parts for the money or pick the best machine to buy.

Here is a shot of my daughter's with a new Corsair power supply and an Asus 9600 GSO.
IMG_3327.jpg
 
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