Upgrading Dell Power Supply

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 that I want to put a new Video Card in. The card specifies a 300W min. power supply. The Dell has 200W. I purchased an Antec 350W power supply, installed it and pushed the button. Nothing happened. All the connectors were connected. Put the old one back in and it powered right up. The Tech guys at Fry's said Dell has a 2 pin fan sensor that, if there, will not allow a normal power supply to work on their machines. I didn't see that connector from the old power supply. There is one from the CPU fan to the MB. What's up that this power supply won't work? How can I make it work or get one that will work? The Dell "Tech Support" guy, from outside the U.S, would only say the OEM one was available. He was no help at all.
Thanks.

 

A while back I remember reading about this somewhere. It may have been on this board but I kind of think it was in the Langalist newsletter. Anyway, it seems that if you want to replace the power supply on a Dell computer you have to use their power supply. From what I remember, they have the connector on the mother board and power supply wired opposite of a standard connector. The connector on the new power supply will plug into the board ok but things aren't wired right on a standard power supply for your motherboard. The person that wrote about this fried the mother board because of this. If I were you I wouldn't hook it back up. It's my understanding that the only way you can use a non OEM power supply on a Dell is if you also replace the motherboard. I'll see if I can dig up more info about this and post a link if I find it.

 

You may need to look up the specific connectors on your Dell Power Supply because they have used a lot of non-standard wiring despite using a standard ATX PSU connector. You may need to switch a few wires around before your standard is going to work with their non-standard. (this assumes your Dell MB & PSU are non-standard).

 

http://www.ttgnet.com/daynotes/2002/2002-16.html

 

Here is the article I remember reading before.
http://63.240.93.134/articles/upgrade3_01_01.asp

Rockster2U
According to this article, it seems it's not as easy as just switching terminals around in the connector. You might have a look at it. I have to admit that the electrical side of hardware (or anything for that matter) isn't one of my strengths.

 

I had another look at the last page I posted and noticed that you can get a power supply for Dell computers from PC Power and Cooling . I had a look and they have a couple that will work with a Dell Dim 4100. I have no idea what Dell wants for one but these two seem reasonably priced to me.

 

Nice piece of research Zander.

Those Dude's are a pain in the butt, Huh? I've run into this before and its not that tough, but to the unsuspecting - ouch! Not to be outdone, HP had a few trick wired boxes a while back too.

 

Thanks for the info. It sounds like I am lucky my board didn't fry. I checked with an outfit called Kamcom and they sent this link to me:

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

It is for an adapter for standard ATX power supplies so they can be used in a Dell. I certainly will not buy another Dell. It makes you wonder what else is non-standard.

 

Thanks RMA - I bookmarked that puppy - nice find, much appreciated.