Problematic PSUs in various Dell systems.

[Poppa_Meth]

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_other&message.id=219360

Seems Dell is having a lot of problems with the PSUs in some of their computers. And big surprise, but they are not only ignoring the issue but misdiagnosing it, forcing many people to buy overpriced replacement mobos instead.

Just thought this was newsworthy myself. If anyone is having similar issues it's something to be looking out for. Sign up for the petition if you are one of the unlucky many.

[BJ_M]

good to know about

[budz]

This is old news regarding DELL power supplies. There was a link I used to have that explained that dell used non standard atx power supplies. There were people who changed ps unknowningly and fried their motherboards or entire pc. When I find it I'll post it.

EDIT: Ok I found that article here is the link:
http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=339053

Although this article was done years ago it still is apparent that Dell uses non standard atx power supplies thus having the consumer purchase a new power supply from them which cost much more than going out to a local pc shop or online retailer.

[Poppa_Meth]

Not so in this case. I know many of their models use cross-wired PSUs but the one in the 4600 uses standard ATX connections and with the open back on the case can be swapped out for any PSU really. They've started using ATX PSUs in many of the newer models from what I've heard.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Another reason I will never buy a factory PC ever again:
1.Don't know who makes the hardware.
2.No Windows CD,must use stupid recovery CD.
3.They add trial software that eventually has to be removed.
4.The PSU's are usually cheap and underpowered.

[kenmasters83]

moviegeek

that is the best post ever describing prebuilt pc's those are the same reasons why i refuse to buy a snell or an Ecrap..

[MOVIEGEEK]

I forgot to add:
5.Stupid plastic faceplates on front of case.
If you need a new PSU this calculator will help:
www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

[waheed]

Another reason I will never buy a factory PC ever again:
1.Don't know who makes the hardware.
2.No Windows CD,must use stupid recovery CD.
3.They add trial software that eventually has to be removed.
4.The PSU's are usually cheap and underpowered.

which is precisely why people prefer to build their own PCs.

[nelson133]

As I explained to a newby one time, "you may not save any money when building your own, but you won't try to slip a junk component into the box to increase your profit margin." Nyah Levi

[lordsmurf]

Dell has been using standard PSU's for a while now. What I have seen myself, and read about. The fact that they are dying is typical of a cheap component. No surprise.

Misdiagnosing the problem? Yeah, that's bad.

[dvdashot]

Another reason I will never buy a factory PC ever again:
1.Don't know who makes the hardware.
2.No Windows CD,must use stupid recovery CD.
3.They add trial software that eventually has to be removed.
4.The PSU's are usually cheap and underpowered.

which is precisely why people prefer to build their own PCs.

Those of us here might prefer to build our own PC, but the general public far prefers to take home a pre-built name brand computer.

[Poppa_Meth]

Yeah dell is basing their diagnosis solely on the diagnostic lights on the back. when the light indication power is on they automatically say it must be the mobo. But that light will come on with a very minimal amount of power. You could have all but one rail out and still have enough power flowing to light it up.

[State Of Mind]

Another reason I will never buy a factory PC ever again:
1.Don't know who makes the hardware.
2.No Windows CD,must use stupid recovery CD.
3.They add trial software that eventually has to be removed.
4.The PSU's are usually cheap and underpowered.

which is precisely why people prefer to build their own PCs.

Those of us here might prefer to build our own PC, but the general public far prefers to take home a pre-built name brand computer.

So what's your point? Everyone knows this. My school and my girlfriend's college all have Dell PCs. Time and money are the key factors there.

[dvdashot]

I was providing a counterpoint to waheed's statement. That's my 'point'.

[Romper]

From experience at a large (ish) Australian Company (if you call 1500 desktops large), and using Optiplex GX150 (the model at the time of the refresh) we would replace 3 - 5 PSU's a week, usually after 18 months or so use, but the odd ones were dying after only months in use (what do you expect when the PSU is only rated at 90W for a PIII !!!!)