Dell proprietary SFF case problems

Why slimline computers are more trouble than their small size is worth.

Trying to get an older Dell small form factor slimline computer working, after the proprietary power supply blew.
Nothing from the Dell will fit in a regular case, and even another Dell power supply from another computer won't work in this one. It's booby trapped to cause damage if it's used in another computer, or a standard PSU is used in this computer.

The booby trapped PSU is purely a Dell problem, but the proprietary nature of the small form factor computer is endemic to small form factor computers of any brand.


http://www.cbserviceslondon.com/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• dell
• power
• supply
• proprietary
• slimline
• small
• form
• factor
• computer
• pc
• psu
• repair
• replace
• disposable
• non-standard
• nonstandard
• booby
• trapped

[MixerVM]

If you just go to ebay, you could find a replacement

[cbiltcliffe]

@MixerVM Which usually come with zero warranty. I don't do that for customer equipment, because I stand behind my repairs. I've been burned by that a couple of times, when an eBay component died after being in the machine for a week or two, and I'm out the price for another one. I don't do that anymore, for that reason. If I'm going to fix something, I'm going to do it properly.

[DoctorStalker1]

Can you imagine if Dell had non-standard USB? The +5V and -5V would be reversed, making it "better".

[cbiltcliffe]

@DoctorStalker1 Either that, or they'd run it on 12V, rather than 5. Let all the magic smoke out, and it doesn't work.

And Dell would probably spin it as their computers are "too powerful" for standard USB components.

[DoctorStalker1]

@cbiltcliffe Even 12 volts doesn't seem enough when there is easy access to AC.

Dell: Extreme Powerful

[cbiltcliffe]

@DoctorStalker1 LMFAO

:)

[ufee]

I hate this shit. So many good computers go to waste because their proprietary crap prevents you from fixing them.

[jay2jayB]

Little weird springy mounting bracket thing FTW

[BikerBry]

@cbiltcliffe - You should have left it ignored. "Ignorant?" What exactly about my statement is ignorant? Used parts? I never said anything about used parts. Go back and listen to your videos sometime. It's just you bitching about something you seem to know VERY little about. If you can build a better machine and make money doing it like HP or Dell... More power too you. Until then, stop your stupid ranting about non-standard hardware. They were the ones getting rich... not you.

[cbiltcliffe]

@BikerBry I ignored this ignorant comment for a year, but some points need to be responded to:

I don't put unknown condition used parts in customer machines, as I have to warrant them. I was burned by eBay parts that died a week after install once, and never again.

The customer is one of my biggest business customers, who was upgrading shortly anyway, so they weren't interested in fixing a 6-7 year old machine. That's why they gave it to me.

[thetickleninjas]

im in 5th grade and our computer room has 31 optiplex gx150 sff 1ghz p3. When they are all running it is very loud