Possible to Change OEM Power Supply from HP a1450n?

[Denvers Dawgs]

Is it possible to change the OEM power supply in an HPa1450n? I have heard that Hp & dell have some of the parts made specifically for them, so you need to purchase upgrades for them. Would this be true about HP Power supplies

[ViRaL1]

Some of the older and more compact units used odd-sized PSUs. From what I can see on their site, this unit should be fine with a standard ATX power supply. Although to be on the safe side, I would open for a 20+4 pin power connector.

[george_alass]

I don't know about the HP, but Dell computers have a power supply with no on/off switch. This means that the hole in the back of the computer is smaller than on a standard case and standard power supplys will not fit. A normal power supply is about $100 cheaper than a Dell "special" power supply. The work-around for this problem is to take a Dremmel cutting tool and make the hole in the back of the case large enough to fit an on/off switch. I did this and used a power supply that I has scavenged from an older defunct system. This saved my friend the cost of the Dell PS which was listed at $150.00 for that model. Compac systems use the same strategy of shipping systems with a "custom" power supply. The PS is completely standard in both systems, it just does not have the standard on/off switch.

[Nelson37]

A standard power supply will actually fit in those godforsaken Dell cases but when you tighten down the screws, the metal of the case presses against the switch and turns it off!

Cutters, snips, hacksaw, Dremel, or just replace the case with a standard one. I positively hate non-standard cases and connectors.

[ViRaL1]

Non-standard components and the possibility of overpriced upgrades are one way companies like DELL can offer a 2.53GHz PC with XP and a 19" LCD for under $350.

[ROF]

Non-standard components and the possibility of overpriced upgrades are one way companies like DELL can offer a 2.53GHz PC with XP and a 19" LCD for under $350.

Dude, you're getting a Dell. The only thing worse than hearing that is that there is a Cow Box waiting in your living room. In either case, do not open the package and if possible refuse to sign for it. Your computing experience both now and in the future will be much better off.

[TooLFooL]

Dude, you're getting a Dell. The only thing worse than hearing that is that there is a Cow Box waiting in your living room. In either case, do not open the package and if possible refuse to sign for it. Your computing experience both now and in the future will be much better off.

HAA HAA HAA!!! that's hysterical! here comes the flame war.......

[Denvers Dawgs]

In the past all my friends who have had Dells, had to have me replace/fix it several times each. I have now told them if they have a Dell don't call me. call DELL......they suck big time

[mikel]

Hey, I'd trade a Packard-Bell for a Dell anyday.

[kush]

Too bad for you that PB isn't in the U.S. market anymore (Europe only).

[ViRaL1]

Hey, I'd trade a Packard-Bell for a Dell anyday.

Not me. I had a DELL Inspiron 7500 laptop with no problems (other than someone dropping a rackmount and gouging the LCD ) and my PowerEdge has been going strong since day 1 running mostly 24/7. My mom has a DELL and hasn't had any problems with it. I do see plenty of them come through the shop, but it's the same for all the big brands. Bottom line is, you get what you pay for. If you only want to shell out ~$300+ for a pre-built system with XP, a good size LCD monitor and a 1yr warranty, you'd be hard pressed to get it anywhere else. But don't expect all that you'd get in a DIY system that will cost you more. That said, if you like to customize, DELL is not for you. It's more of a mass-market PC.

[Nelson37]

You might enjoy this line I vividly recall from the Packard Bell Manual:

Take the machine out of the box, connect the KB and mouse, plug it in, and turn it on.

Exact Quote - " If you see or smell smoke, turn the machine off immediately".

That still makes me laugh.