Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Our 4 1/2 yr old Dell pc needs a new motherboard. Apparently you can't buy one from just anywhere as only a Dell one will fit into the pc case . Anyone had to do this? Does it cost a fortune? The alternative is rebuilding a new pc with a new case and the parts that are OK but having to reinstall Windows (a pain as this happened suddenly with no chance to backup - we have backup on an external drive but we'd still lose things .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Depends on what model DELL you have. There's over 2500 DELL motherboards on eBay. We've a 4600 I don't think it's that difficult to fit a replacement board, just as long as you've some idea of the basics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 Hadn't even thought of Ebay . Thanks for the tip . It's a Dimension 5000 - I'll go and have a look . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Replacing the motherboard is a big job, you will need some knowledge of building computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 I know . I have put a fan and memory in before and replaced a graphics card but I know this is beyond me . I can get a pc repair shop to do it for £35 or I have a friend who is in computers who could do it. I'm just bamboozled by all the motherboard speak . I'll speak to Dell tomorrow and see what they say. If I can get a part number it might be easier to find the correct part on Ebay or elsewhere. I've been quoted £144 to rebuild a new pc with our usable components but we'll lose all our data . Do you reckon that sounds reasonable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 You could try it this way DELL 5000 MOTHERBOARD £60.55 for the board and £29.00 UPS express parcel. Then get your friend to fit it, or give the repair shop £35.00 to fit it that still leaves you in front by £28.45 out of £144.00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 That's clever . Might well consider it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 If you get your friend to fit it will only cost you £89.55. That'll save you £63.45. Far better than paying £144.00 and you get your computer back and keep your data....... We hate to pay full price for anything, especially in this credit crunch..... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Well, I have in front of me all the parts I need. I'm very impressed with Dell, I must say. A very helpful chap emailed me a link to Ebay for a Dell I/O front panel (which I also needed as well as the motherboard!) as Dell didn't have one in stock. Cost me £9.50 rather than Dell's £25 plus P&P . I ended up buying the motherboard from Dell and it arrived the next day . I also got 2 more gigs of memory (you can't just stick any old memory on their boards ). So it's cost about £177 but that includes extra memory, the front panel and the motherboard. I'm going to attempt to fit it myself . Wish me luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I'm going to attempt to fit it myself . Before you do anything, go touch something metal, that is earthed (like a water pipe), if you do not get rid of static electricity, you will fry your computer (and all your shiny new parts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I always wear an earthing strap (as I have one and I might as well use it) when doing jobs like this. see eg http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=4008&C=SO&U=strat15 I would strongly recommend improvising something similar. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Don't worry, Fred, I did know that . I don't have a strap but I understand as long as you discharge the static by touching the metal casing you're OK? (Last time I "went in", I kept touching it, probably far more than necessary .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Don't worry, Fred, I did know that phew, my friend once tried to replace some ram on his dell, didn't get rid of the static, fried his computer beyond repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 You have actually got me feeling more nervous now . I'm wondering how busy my friend's OH might be this w/e . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Don't worry, Fred, I did know that . I don't have a strap but I understand as long as you discharge the static by touching the metal casing you're OK? (Last time I "went in", I kept touching it, probably far more than necessary .) No - it is best to keep contact with the metal casing / earth . H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 I've actually decided it's more trouble than it's worth trying to do it myself (although I'd have been interested to see if I could manage it ). I'm going to take it into the shop (friend's OH has done us too many favours, the main one being building our walk in run ). I reckon it's worth having it done properly rather than me having a go and possibly mucking it up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
