computer repair question

[Amaranth]

So...Right now, my desktop is sitting open on my couch. The power supply was bad, so I ordered a new one, opting for a slightly heftier Corsair over trying to replace the part through Dell. Honestly, with all the trouble I've had with Dells over the years, I'm amazed this one still works. That's not really the issue here, though. I finally managed to pull the damn thing out after running what felt like fifty miles of superfluous cables and bad placement, and noticed it had been on one of the slots that are in the case to support it. Not like a bay, but just a metal slot in the side of the case.

The new supply doesn't have that. It's smooth as a baby's butt. So I didn't see this coming. I'm worried about supporting the power supply with just the mounting screws on the back of the case itself, as that seems like a really bad idea. Am I wrong? If so, am I boned, or do they sell the sort of mounting materials I might need to fix this up?

I know a lot about hardware, but not a lot specific to the inner workings of a computer. I can mount and screw with the best of them, solder if need be, but not if I don't know what the Hell I should be doing.

[happycheeze]

Just to clarify, the default power supply has special rails to fit into a slot in the case itself?

Are there screw holes on the case where the powersupply would be? If so, you should be okay.

[Amaranth]

there are holes on the back of the case where the fan for the unit is. It was screwed into those in addition to the slot inside.

The slot was in the case itself, yes.

[Star Cluster]

Most power supplies are attached to the back panel of the case with four screws. Before doing any major modifications, just attach the PS to the case in that manner and if it seems solid, you should be fine. The back panels on Dells are fairly substantial and should hold it just fine like that.

[mistermuncher]

Have a care. Dell motherboards are known and noted for non-standard pinouts on their power connectors, whilst using completely standard plugs and all.

www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339053

Just a wee warning. I think the XPS etc. take a standard ATX, and a wee adaptor cable can be had for a few quid, too.

(if you already knew this, and had worked round it, please feel free to consider me a condescending asshole. mea culpa)

[Bezron]

Sept 13, 2009 20:35:30 GMT -5 Amaranth said:

I can mount and screw with the best of them, solder if need be, but not if I don't know what the Hell I should be doing.

Kinky

On the actual post, you should be fine with the 4 rear screws. You may have an issue with fitting the new one around the rails in the case, though.

Also, on the no-standard pinout and design thing: the linked article is from 2001. Dell has actually been standard for a couple of years now. The only place you may have a problem with non-standard on Dell is in laptops (but then, there really isn't a set standard)

[mistermuncher]

Ok so, I wasn't aware they'd decided to join the rest of the world, or the age of the machine in question. Just trying to help!