How do I determine what motherboard my computer has?

M

mr.science

New Member
I imagine it would be under device manager, but I don't know how to get to it.:( Does anyone know who has windows XP? One more thing, I'm trying to buy a new motherboard that's compatible with a dimension 8400, so telling me how to determine compatibility with my computer would be helpful too.:)
 
Dells use a seldom used standard called BTX. It's very difficult to find anything for them as the idea of having whole new heatsinks etc didn't appeal to every user so Intel dropped it.
 
For getting into the device manager there are two easy ways for doing that. The fastest method is to simply right click on the MyComputer desktop icon and then click on the hardware tab. You will then a button for the device manager there. The longer method is to bring down the Start menu and go to Settings and slide over to the control panel there. Or where set you will find the control panel icon in MyComputer. Once you open this up look for the System icon and open it up to select the deveice manager there.

The problem using the dsvice manager will be the lack of this type of infromation there. One freeware you simply download and unpack into a folder and then creeate a desktop shortcut is the SIW tool found at http://siw.en.softonic.com/ie/36911 This gives you a complete breakdown of all hardwares and system processes as well.

For upgrading a Dell case even an 8400 Dell will have answers there. With that being a P4 board with a 350w power supply you may want to ask them about a larger mode for upgrading the board there. Specifications for one specific 8400 mode weren't found while general specifications can be seen at http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Dimens...12_MB_RAM_80_GB_HDD/4507-3118_7-30919189.html
 
In other words your drives and video card can be used or tried on a new build since the mamory as well as cpu and board will be swapped out. You will certainly be in need of a new supply in a new build to add to that.
 
I haven't been in a prebuilt system since the first custom case came along after fumbling with the old IBM 386 desktop and later an AST 486 model. On the AST I ended having the 1.4gb hard drive in a 5 1/4" drive bay adapter to replace the old board mounted 500mb drive. The 3 1/2" floppy drive took up the other 5 1/4" bay. Those were flat top rather then mid towers then however with limited space for anything.
 
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