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From: Paul on 8 May 2010 13:34
Paul wrote:
> E wrote:
>> Man-wai Chang to The Door (33600bps) wrote:
>>> On 5/8/2010 13:31, E wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> A friend asked me to fix her Dell XPS 600.
>>>>
>>>> You try to turn it on, the fans spin, and it shuts itself off after a
>>>> few seconds. I have searched the web and found several posts in message
>>>> boards where people have the exact same problem with this machine.
>>>
>>> Do you know how to open the case?
>>>
>>> Unplug everything except display card (if any), CPU, RAM & keyboard.
>>> Try again and report back!
>>>
>> Maybe my message was too long. I did that. I know the MB or PSU has
>> failed. I just need a Pentium D socket 775 replacement motherboard.
>
> Does the Dell software CD that restores the OS, work with a third-party
> (non-Dell) motherboard ? That would be one issue.
>
> To replace that motherboard exactly, you'd be wanting an SLI capable
> motherboard. If the system has one video card and there are no plans
> of expansion, then SLI is unnecessary.
>
> If SLI isn't necessary (only one video card) or doesn't have other
> special requirements, you can search on the Asus site, based on the
> CPU part number.
>
> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
>
> Use the "Search CPU using" menu. Select "CPU" from the menu.
> I selected "Intel Pentium D" next, then Pentium D 930... Rev.C1.
>
> The returned list has a large number of boards. Some are even
> current. For example, boards with P5Q in the name, would be P45
> boards. And those are likely to stop shipping soon, if they
> haven't already.
>
> P5Q SE Plus
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347
>
> Next problem. Your current motherboard is BTX, with a "backwards" layout.
> This was done, so the huge CPU cooler and its fan, could also cool the
> chassis. That is going to severely limit what motherboards you can use.
>
> And if you go to Ebay, and look for an XPS motherboard identical to the
> one you've got, it could be damaged in the same way too. I think I
> see discoloration on two caps here. I found this on Ebay yesterday.
>
> http://www.millenniacomputers.com/images/DELL_XPS600_5.jpg
>
> If you changed to a new chassis, you could reuse a lot of the components.
> Put in your P5Q SE Plus, then reuse the processor. The cooler will have
> to go. For an LGA775 cooler, you could use one of these. This is the
> cooler I use on my system. This would take the place of the Dell "blob".
> The separate chassis fan on your new computer case, would carry the
> hot air from the CPU cooler, out of the computer case.
>
> http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2288
>
> So you're saving a bit, spending a bit. It is a big project, with
> challenges. Inspect all the cabling carefully, for other gotchas.
> The Dell might not even have standard connectors for Reset_Switch,
> Power_Switch, IDE_LED, Power_LED, Case_Speaker and so on. So there
> are plenty of little details. But it can be done.
>
> The pinout on the power cable, looks to me to be standard. Compare
> to the wire colors in the ATX spec to be sure. Sometimes, a Dell
> has custom secondary connectors, for powering who knows what. In
> any case, there is a good chance you can reuse the power supply on
> the machine.
>
> http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf
>
> For a replacement OS, there is still WinXP Home OEM available for
> sale (I'm not sure what DSP OEI means though). That is, unless you
> can find some other way, to solve the Dell "branded" CD problem.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116583
>
> Paul

To summarize the info there, I'm thinking

new_ATX_motherboard + new_cpu_cooler_lga775 + new_cpu_case_for_ATX_not_BTX + new_OS_cd

which in round (highball) numbers, could be

$150 + $50 + $100 + $100

You're still saving money, in the sense the processor, power supply,
video card, hard drive, optical drive are being preserved. Buying a completely
new computer for $400, might not give you much of a computer.

If you go for an exact replacement (XPS600) motherboard from Ebay, there
is no way of knowing whether it is burned or not as well. At
least for the bad_cap Dell motherboards, there is a high degree
of failure correlation. For some old Dells, you can only buy them
from Ebay, if the advert says "re-capped". So there is some
risk associated with buying an exact replacement from Ebay. If
Dell sells you a brand new one, that might be cheaper than the
above suggestion, but who knows what Dell charges for a $150
motherboard ? For that matter, they might not be available
from Dell at any price (they can't keep making new ones, because
the chipset maker stops making them eventually). Dell would only
stock enough, for their prediction of failure rate. And with a
design flaw, you can be sure all the replacements are gone by now.

Paul
From: E on 8 May 2010 15:38
Paul wrote:
> Paul wrote:
>> E wrote:
>>> Man-wai Chang to The Door (33600bps) wrote:
>>>> On 5/8/2010 13:31, E wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi
>>>>>
>>>>> A friend asked me to fix her Dell XPS 600.
>>>>>
>>>>> You try to turn it on, the fans spin, and it shuts itself off after a
>>>>> few seconds. I have searched the web and found several posts in
message
>>>>> boards where people have the exact same problem with this machine.
>>>>
>>>> Do you know how to open the case?
>>>>
>>>> Unplug everything except display card (if any), CPU, RAM &
keyboard. Try again and report back!
>>>>
>>> Maybe my message was too long. I did that. I know the MB or PSU has
failed. I just need a Pentium D socket 775 replacement motherboard.

I should have spent a minute explaining what I did to trouble shoot in
my original post.

Thanks for your time on this Paul. You did a lot of finger work for me
there.

>>
>> Does the Dell software CD that restores the OS, work with a
>> third-party>> (non-Dell) motherboard ? That would be one issue.

Good point. I forgot that OEM CD keys usually can't be transfered to
another system. So I guess if I try to use the Dell CD key to install XP
Home on the changed system, with new MB etc... MS won't activate it?

>>
>> To replace that motherboard exactly, you'd be wanting an SLI capable
>> motherboard. If the system has one video card and there are no plans
>> of expansion, then SLI is unnecessary.

There is one PCI-E video card in this system. So I think I would go for
a board that isn't SLI capable to save a few bucks.

There is also a non-express PCI 3.0 graphics co-processor board plugged
in (if it's correct to call it that) . A PhysX Ageia. Never knew of it's
existence until I started on this repair. Does this thing get used much
since nVidia bought out Ageia? I read on Wikipedia that most games
written now may not use the older implementation. The main user of this
Dell is a teenage male who likes to play a lot of games. I wonder if his
older games might benefit from this card. It probably won't hurt include
it in whatever new configuration I come up with. It should be easy
enough to disassemble everything I suppose.

>>
>> If SLI isn't necessary (only one video card) or doesn't have other
>> special requirements, you can search on the Asus site, based on the
>> CPU part number.
>>
>> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
>>
>> Use the "Search CPU using" menu. Select "CPU" from the menu.
>> I selected "Intel Pentium D" next, then Pentium D 930... Rev.C1.
>>
>> The returned list has a large number of boards. Some are even
>> current. For example, boards with P5Q in the name, would be P45
>> boards. And those are likely to stop shipping soon, if they
>> haven't already.
>>
>> P5Q SE Plus
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347

Thanks for the links. I'll check the Asus site myself, and maybe go
directly to other manufacturers.

>>
>> Next problem. Your current motherboard is BTX, with a "backwards"
layout.
>> This was done, so the huge CPU cooler and its fan, could also cool the
>> chassis. That is going to severely limit what motherboards you can use.

I thought so. I read posts in web forums indicating that a standard
board may work, but I had doubts because of Dells custom designed
cooling solutions and layouts.

>>
>> And if you go to Ebay, and look for an XPS motherboard identical to the
>> one you've got, it could be damaged in the same way too. I think I
>> see discoloration on two caps here. I found this on Ebay yesterday.
>>
>> http://www.millenniacomputers.com/images/DELL_XPS600_5.jpg

I searched eBay last night but didn't get any results. Here is a picture
of the part of my user's motherboard showing blown caps and what I guess
is the inductor the other web poster had talked about. The inductor
looks completely fried to me with plenty of discoloration.

http://members.localnet.com/~eddie180/Pics/100_2770e.jpg

I hope the Dell PSU didn't cause this. Web board posters mentioned
Dell's solution as changing out both PSU and MB. This is either just a
hedge against the PSU being faulty or the PSU has a known issue.


>>
>> If you changed to a new chassis, you could reuse a lot of the
components.
>> Put in your P5Q SE Plus, then reuse the processor. The cooler will have
>> to go. For an LGA775 cooler, you could use one of these. This is the
>> cooler I use on my system. This would take the place of the Dell "blob".
>> The separate chassis fan on your new computer case, would carry the
>> hot air from the CPU cooler, out of the computer case.
>>
>> http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2288
>>
>> So you're saving a bit, spending a bit. It is a big project, with
>> challenges. Inspect all the cabling carefully, for other gotchas.
>> The Dell might not even have standard connectors for Reset_Switch,
>> Power_Switch, IDE_LED, Power_LED, Case_Speaker and so on. So there
>> are plenty of little details. But it can be done.

I really don't want to try using the Dell case, unless I can get a BTX
motherboard compatible with the Pentium D 930. There doesn't seem to be
provisions for a standard PSU in the Dell case.

>>
>> The pinout on the power cable, looks to me to be standard. Compare
>> to the wire colors in the ATX spec to be sure. Sometimes, a Dell
>> has custom secondary connectors, for powering who knows what. In
>> any case, there is a good chance you can reuse the power supply on
>> the machine.
>>
>>http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf

This Dell PSU doesn't mount in the top rear, it mounts in a compartment
in the bottom of the case. I assumed I couldn't just take it out and put
it in a standard ATX case. I think it may be wider than a standard ATX
PSU and is shorter, like 2" tall. I haven't removed it yet because it is
in its own compartment, and its wiring is routed through holes and
chases formed by fan housings and what not.

>>
>> For a replacement OS, there is still WinXP Home OEM available for
>> sale (I'm not sure what DSP OEI means though). That is, unless you
>> can find some other way, to solve the Dell "branded" CD problem.
>>
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116583

If not, buying another Windows license will certainly add to the cost.

>>
>> Paul
>
> To summarize the info there, I'm thinking
>
> new_ATX_motherboard + new_cpu_cooler_lga775 +
new_cpu_case_for_ATX_not_BTX + new_OS_cd
>
> which in round (highball) numbers, could be
>
> $150 + $50 + $100 + $100

And maybe a new PSU, because of the possible incompatible form factor of
the original. I'll have to look into the PSU problem some more .

>
> You're still saving money, in the sense the processor, power supply,
> video card, hard drive, optical drive are being preserved. Buying a
>completely
> new computer for $400, might not give you much of a computer.

>
> If you go for an exact replacement (XPS600) motherboard from Ebay, >there
> is no way of knowing whether it is burned or not as well. At
> least for the bad_cap Dell motherboards, there is a high degree
> of failure correlation. For some old Dells, you can only buy them
> from Ebay, if the advert says "re-capped". So there is some
> risk associated with buying an exact replacement from Ebay. If
> Dell sells you a brand new one, that might be cheaper than the
> above suggestion, but who knows what Dell charges for a $150
> motherboard ? For that matter, they might not be available
> from Dell at any price (they can't keep making new ones, because
> the chipset maker stops making them eventually). Dell would only
> stock enough, for their prediction of failure rate. And with a
> design flaw, you can be sure all the replacements are gone by now.

Thanks again for your work on this. I'll have to do some more though. I
have a feeling though that Dell no longer has a replacement MB in stock.

Eddie
From: Ben Myers on 8 May 2010 16:41
On 5/8/2010 1:34 PM, Paul wrote:
> Paul wrote:
>> E wrote:
>>> Man-wai Chang to The Door (33600bps) wrote:
>>>> On 5/8/2010 13:31, E wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi
>>>>>
>>>>> A friend asked me to fix her Dell XPS 600.
>>>>>
>>>>> You try to turn it on, the fans spin, and it shuts itself off after a
>>>>> few seconds. I have searched the web and found several posts in
>>>>> message
>>>>> boards where people have the exact same problem with this machine.
>>>>
>>>> Do you know how to open the case?
>>>>
>>>> Unplug everything except display card (if any), CPU, RAM & keyboard.
>>>> Try again and report back!
>>>>
>>> Maybe my message was too long. I did that. I know the MB or PSU has
>>> failed. I just need a Pentium D socket 775 replacement motherboard.
>>
>> Does the Dell software CD that restores the OS, work with a third-party
>> (non-Dell) motherboard ? That would be one issue.
>>
>> To replace that motherboard exactly, you'd be wanting an SLI capable
>> motherboard. If the system has one video card and there are no plans
>> of expansion, then SLI is unnecessary.
>>
>> If SLI isn't necessary (only one video card) or doesn't have other
>> special requirements, you can search on the Asus site, based on the
>> CPU part number.
>>
>> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
>>
>> Use the "Search CPU using" menu. Select "CPU" from the menu.
>> I selected "Intel Pentium D" next, then Pentium D 930... Rev.C1.
>>
>> The returned list has a large number of boards. Some are even
>> current. For example, boards with P5Q in the name, would be P45
>> boards. And those are likely to stop shipping soon, if they
>> haven't already.
>>
>> P5Q SE Plus
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347
>>
>> Next problem. Your current motherboard is BTX, with a "backwards" layout.
>> This was done, so the huge CPU cooler and its fan, could also cool the
>> chassis. That is going to severely limit what motherboards you can use.
>>
>> And if you go to Ebay, and look for an XPS motherboard identical to the
>> one you've got, it could be damaged in the same way too. I think I
>> see discoloration on two caps here. I found this on Ebay yesterday.
>>
>> http://www.millenniacomputers.com/images/DELL_XPS600_5.jpg
>>
>> If you changed to a new chassis, you could reuse a lot of the components.
>> Put in your P5Q SE Plus, then reuse the processor. The cooler will have
>> to go. For an LGA775 cooler, you could use one of these. This is the
>> cooler I use on my system. This would take the place of the Dell "blob".
>> The separate chassis fan on your new computer case, would carry the
>> hot air from the CPU cooler, out of the computer case.
>>
>> http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2288
>>
>> So you're saving a bit, spending a bit. It is a big project, with
>> challenges. Inspect all the cabling carefully, for other gotchas.
>> The Dell might not even have standard connectors for Reset_Switch,
>> Power_Switch, IDE_LED, Power_LED, Case_Speaker and so on. So there
>> are plenty of little details. But it can be done.
>>
>> The pinout on the power cable, looks to me to be standard. Compare
>> to the wire colors in the ATX spec to be sure. Sometimes, a Dell
>> has custom secondary connectors, for powering who knows what. In
>> any case, there is a good chance you can reuse the power supply on
>> the machine.
>>
>> http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf
>>
>> For a replacement OS, there is still WinXP Home OEM available for
>> sale (I'm not sure what DSP OEI means though). That is, unless you
>> can find some other way, to solve the Dell "branded" CD problem.
>>
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116583
>>
>> Paul
>
> To summarize the info there, I'm thinking
>
> new_ATX_motherboard + new_cpu_cooler_lga775 +
> new_cpu_case_for_ATX_not_BTX + new_OS_cd
>
> which in round (highball) numbers, could be
>
> $150 + $50 + $100 + $100
>
> You're still saving money, in the sense the processor, power supply,
> video card, hard drive, optical drive are being preserved. Buying a
> completely
> new computer for $400, might not give you much of a computer.
>
> If you go for an exact replacement (XPS600) motherboard from Ebay, there
> is no way of knowing whether it is burned or not as well. At
> least for the bad_cap Dell motherboards, there is a high degree
> of failure correlation. For some old Dells, you can only buy them
> from Ebay, if the advert says "re-capped". So there is some
> risk associated with buying an exact replacement from Ebay. If
> Dell sells you a brand new one, that might be cheaper than the
> above suggestion, but who knows what Dell charges for a $150
> motherboard ? For that matter, they might not be available
> from Dell at any price (they can't keep making new ones, because
> the chipset maker stops making them eventually). Dell would only
> stock enough, for their prediction of failure rate. And with a
> design flaw, you can be sure all the replacements are gone by now.
>
> Paul

The XPS 600 power supply is very much a custom design, and it cannot be
re-used in any system except another Dell XPS or similar Dell chassis.

The OP needs to buy a new power supply, too, if he intends to build up a
new system around the parts taken from the XPS 600... Ben Myers
From: Ben Myers on 8 May 2010 16:43
On 5/8/2010 3:38 PM, E wrote:
> Paul wrote:
> > Paul wrote:
> >> E wrote:
> >>> Man-wai Chang to The Door (33600bps) wrote:
> >>>> On 5/8/2010 13:31, E wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hi
> >>>>>
> >>>>> A friend asked me to fix her Dell XPS 600.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> You try to turn it on, the fans spin, and it shuts itself off
> after a
> >>>>> few seconds. I have searched the web and found several posts in
> message
> >>>>> boards where people have the exact same problem with this machine.
> >>>>
> >>>> Do you know how to open the case?
> >>>>
> >>>> Unplug everything except display card (if any), CPU, RAM &
> keyboard. Try again and report back!
> >>>>
> >>> Maybe my message was too long. I did that. I know the MB or PSU has
> failed. I just need a Pentium D socket 775 replacement motherboard.
>
> I should have spent a minute explaining what I did to trouble shoot in
> my original post.
>
> Thanks for your time on this Paul. You did a lot of finger work for me
> there.
>
> >>
> >> Does the Dell software CD that restores the OS, work with a
> >> third-party>> (non-Dell) motherboard ? That would be one issue.
>
> Good point. I forgot that OEM CD keys usually can't be transfered to
> another system. So I guess if I try to use the Dell CD key to install XP
> Home on the changed system, with new MB etc... MS won't activate it?
>
> >>
> >> To replace that motherboard exactly, you'd be wanting an SLI capable
> >> motherboard. If the system has one video card and there are no plans
> >> of expansion, then SLI is unnecessary.
>
> There is one PCI-E video card in this system. So I think I would go for
> a board that isn't SLI capable to save a few bucks.
>
> There is also a non-express PCI 3.0 graphics co-processor board plugged
> in (if it's correct to call it that) . A PhysX Ageia. Never knew of it's
> existence until I started on this repair. Does this thing get used much
> since nVidia bought out Ageia? I read on Wikipedia that most games
> written now may not use the older implementation. The main user of this
> Dell is a teenage male who likes to play a lot of games. I wonder if his
> older games might benefit from this card. It probably won't hurt include
> it in whatever new configuration I come up with. It should be easy
> enough to disassemble everything I suppose.
>
> >>
> >> If SLI isn't necessary (only one video card) or doesn't have other
> >> special requirements, you can search on the Asus site, based on the
> >> CPU part number.
> >>
> >> http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
> >>
> >> Use the "Search CPU using" menu. Select "CPU" from the menu.
> >> I selected "Intel Pentium D" next, then Pentium D 930... Rev.C1.
> >>
> >> The returned list has a large number of boards. Some are even
> >> current. For example, boards with P5Q in the name, would be P45
> >> boards. And those are likely to stop shipping soon, if they
> >> haven't already.
> >>
> >> P5Q SE Plus
> >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347
>
> Thanks for the links. I'll check the Asus site myself, and maybe go
> directly to other manufacturers.
>
> >>
> >> Next problem. Your current motherboard is BTX, with a "backwards"
> layout.
> >> This was done, so the huge CPU cooler and its fan, could also cool the
> >> chassis. That is going to severely limit what motherboards you can use.
>
> I thought so. I read posts in web forums indicating that a standard
> board may work, but I had doubts because of Dells custom designed
> cooling solutions and layouts.
>
> >>
> >> And if you go to Ebay, and look for an XPS motherboard identical to the
> >> one you've got, it could be damaged in the same way too. I think I
> >> see discoloration on two caps here. I found this on Ebay yesterday.
> >>
> >> http://www.millenniacomputers.com/images/DELL_XPS600_5.jpg
>
> I searched eBay last night but didn't get any results. Here is a picture
> of the part of my user's motherboard showing blown caps and what I guess
> is the inductor the other web poster had talked about. The inductor
> looks completely fried to me with plenty of discoloration.
>
> http://members.localnet.com/~eddie180/Pics/100_2770e.jpg
>
> I hope the Dell PSU didn't cause this. Web board posters mentioned
> Dell's solution as changing out both PSU and MB. This is either just a
> hedge against the PSU being faulty or the PSU has a known issue.
>
>
> >>
> >> If you changed to a new chassis, you could reuse a lot of the
> components.
> >> Put in your P5Q SE Plus, then reuse the processor. The cooler will have
> >> to go. For an LGA775 cooler, you could use one of these. This is the
> >> cooler I use on my system. This would take the place of the Dell
> "blob".
> >> The separate chassis fan on your new computer case, would carry the
> >> hot air from the CPU cooler, out of the computer case.
> >>
> >> http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2288
> >>
> >> So you're saving a bit, spending a bit. It is a big project, with
> >> challenges. Inspect all the cabling carefully, for other gotchas.
> >> The Dell might not even have standard connectors for Reset_Switch,
> >> Power_Switch, IDE_LED, Power_LED, Case_Speaker and so on. So there
> >> are plenty of little details. But it can be done.
>
> I really don't want to try using the Dell case, unless I can get a BTX
> motherboard compatible with the Pentium D 930. There doesn't seem to be
> provisions for a standard PSU in the Dell case.
>
> >>
> >> The pinout on the power cable, looks to me to be standard. Compare
> >> to the wire colors in the ATX spec to be sure. Sometimes, a Dell
> >> has custom secondary connectors, for powering who knows what. In
> >> any case, there is a good chance you can reuse the power supply on
> >> the machine.
> >>
> >>http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf
>
> This Dell PSU doesn't mount in the top rear, it mounts in a compartment
> in the bottom of the case. I assumed I couldn't just take it out and put
> it in a standard ATX case. I think it may be wider than a standard ATX
> PSU and is shorter, like 2" tall. I haven't removed it yet because it is
> in its own compartment, and its wiring is routed through holes and
> chases formed by fan housings and what not.
>
> >>
> >> For a replacement OS, there is still WinXP Home OEM available for
> >> sale (I'm not sure what DSP OEI means though). That is, unless you
> >> can find some other way, to solve the Dell "branded" CD problem.
> >>
> >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116583
>
> If not, buying another Windows license will certainly add to the cost.
>
> >>
> >> Paul
> >
> > To summarize the info there, I'm thinking
> >
> > new_ATX_motherboard + new_cpu_cooler_lga775 +
> new_cpu_case_for_ATX_not_BTX + new_OS_cd
> >
> > which in round (highball) numbers, could be
> >
> > $150 + $50 + $100 + $100
>
> And maybe a new PSU, because of the possible incompatible form factor of
> the original. I'll have to look into the PSU problem some more .
>
> >
> > You're still saving money, in the sense the processor, power supply,
> > video card, hard drive, optical drive are being preserved. Buying a
> >completely
> > new computer for $400, might not give you much of a computer.
>
> >
> > If you go for an exact replacement (XPS600) motherboard from Ebay,
> >there
> > is no way of knowing whether it is burned or not as well. At
> > least for the bad_cap Dell motherboards, there is a high degree
> > of failure correlation. For some old Dells, you can only buy them
> > from Ebay, if the advert says "re-capped". So there is some
> > risk associated with buying an exact replacement from Ebay. If
> > Dell sells you a brand new one, that might be cheaper than the
> > above suggestion, but who knows what Dell charges for a $150
> > motherboard ? For that matter, they might not be available
> > from Dell at any price (they can't keep making new ones, because
> > the chipset maker stops making them eventually). Dell would only
> > stock enough, for their prediction of failure rate. And with a
> > design flaw, you can be sure all the replacements are gone by now.
>
> Thanks again for your work on this. I'll have to do some more though. I
> have a feeling though that Dell no longer has a replacement MB in stock.
>
> Eddie

If Dell does not sell replacement XPS 600 boards any more, or even if
they do, the price tag will likely be north of $US 300. Third-party
parts houses extort large sums for exact replacement parts, and only
well-heeled companies like Goldman Sachs or the US Govt (spending our
tax dollars, are willing to pay the price... Ben Myers
From: Paul on 8 May 2010 17:05
E wrote:


> >> http://www.millenniacomputers.com/images/DELL_XPS600_5.jpg
>
> I searched eBay last night but didn't get any results. Here is a picture
> of the part of my user's motherboard showing blown caps and what I guess
> is the inductor the other web poster had talked about. The inductor
> looks completely fried to me with plenty of discoloration.
>
> http://members.localnet.com/~eddie180/Pics/100_2770e.jpg
>
> I hope the Dell PSU didn't cause this. Web board posters mentioned
> Dell's solution as changing out both PSU and MB. This is either just a
> hedge against the PSU being faulty or the PSU has a known issue.
>

I see at least four failed caps in your picture. The other
burned component, is likely a side effect of the cap failure.

The slight rusty discoloration on the caps in the first link,
appears to line up with the two large caps in your picture.

I've lost a power supply here, due to bad caps, and billions
of bad caps were shipped. Some companies got hit pretty hard.
The motherboard company, Abit, had enough issues, that a
class action was brought against them, because of it.

More fun here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Let's hope that era is gone now. There are apparently
still cheesy caps to be had - companies still make
disreputable products like that. But the smart motherboard
makers, know how to dodge stuff like that now. They're at
least aware of the need to do quality control, to reduce
their liabilities. They'll use polymer caps in the Vcore
circuit, and if they do use regular electrolytics for
other filter functions, they won't buy them from the
worst of the offenders. They've already been "named and
shamed". Counterfeiting is still possible, but that's been
a problem in the electronics industry for years. For
example, some cap companies, make regular electrolytics
in a can that looks like a polymer. Which is dangerous, if
the pressure relief seams are not present on top. Electrolytic
caps have seams in the top, so a dangerous explosion won't
occur due to overpressure. They'll bulge, break, and ooze instead,
if there is a chemistry problem. It is still possible to
explode electrolytics - it is part of pranks engineers play
on one another in lab courses. I'm just glad I wasn't
sitting next to the one that went off in my class :-)
What a mess.

Paul
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