[SOLVED] Dell PSU Proprietary?

macten · 07-04-2008, 10:12 AM

I'm working on an old Dell Dimension L733r, PIII with Windows ME. I reinstalled the operating system and notice that it occasionally reboots. This is probably heat or a failing psu. Speedfan doesn't register anything. Sensorview won't install. I went all over the mobo and the edges of the cpu with an infrared thermometer. Readings look ok.

There's nothing in the bios about temps or voltages. I've got a couple of spare ATX psu. But I know that Dell used some proprietary psu on certain units. Anyone know if this psu is proprietary or atx? There's got to be a list somewhere.

wrench97 · 07-04-2008, 10:29 AM

I believe all Dell P3 systems are proprietary. But you may be able to make an ATX work
Have a look here. http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339053

macten · 07-04-2008, 11:26 AM

thanks Wrench....I just backprobed the 20 pin psu connector and the '6 pin connector' also and it's within specs.

Maybe I should redo the paste on the cpu/heatsink...

edit sometimes it reboots but usually it goes to a blue screen that says 'an error has ocurred'

error 0D : 0028 : C000935D

wrench97 · 07-04-2008, 12:41 PM

It could be a heat problem but I remember those power supplies being a little flaky.
Did you put ME back on it?

macten · 07-04-2008, 12:48 PM

yeah...I reinstalled ME. However I reinstalled while the operating system was up and running by using d: setup at the run command. In other words it replaced the operating system files leaving everything else in tact. Perhaps I should format and reinstall everything?

The psu specs were real close to being right on the money. Only off by .03 mv.

I've got UXD software diagnostics and everything checked out fine. It's not always right though. I think I've got another stick of pc100 ram. I think I'll swap it out and see it that matters.

wrench97 · 07-04-2008, 01:17 PM

I seem to remember a lot of issues with ME and power config settings on Dells of that vintage we just set everything in power options to "Always On" and that solved a lot of the problems.

**linderman** · 07-04-2008, 04:45 PM

the P3's didnt really bust a PSU like the P4's and above

I would run some checking with memtest

then try a fresh install of win ME <<<<<< wipe the drive first though with killdisk

macten · 07-04-2008, 05:06 PM

I booted into safe mode and ran a thorough scandisk and the defragmenter without it bluescreening. So I formatted and am now doing a fresh install.

I swapped out the memory and that didn't help. So it looks like it was a software conflict. I'll know pretty soon.

macten · 07-04-2008, 05:07 PM

I didn't use killdisk. Is that better than a plain format?

**linderman** · 07-04-2008, 05:21 PM

FAR better than plain format >>>>>>>>>>>. format only preapres a small amount of the drive ........ killdisk wipes the whole drive .... ready for a new start !!

macten · 07-04-2008, 06:26 PM

Thanks for all the help. I reinstalled everything and so far it's been rock solid.

dai · 07-04-2008, 09:19 PM

glad you have it sorted

07-04-2008, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	[SOLVED] Dell PSU Proprietary? I'm working on an old Dell Dimension L733r, PIII with Windows ME. I reinstalled the operating system and notice that it occasionally reboots. This is probably heat or a failing psu. Speedfan doesn't register anything. Sensorview won't install. I went all over the mobo and the edges of the cpu with an infrared thermometer. Readings look ok. There's nothing in the bios about temps or voltages. I've got a couple of spare ATX psu. But I know that Dell used some proprietary psu on certain units. Anyone know if this psu is proprietary or atx? There's got to be a list somewhere.

07-04-2008, 10:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,429 OS: XPSP2	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? I believe all Dell P3 systems are proprietary. But you may be able to make an ATX work Have a look here. http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339053 __________________

07-04-2008, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? thanks Wrench....I just backprobed the 20 pin psu connector and the '6 pin connector' also and it's within specs. Maybe I should redo the paste on the cpu/heatsink... edit sometimes it reboots but usually it goes to a blue screen that says 'an error has ocurred' error 0D : 0028 : C000935D Last edited by macten : 07-04-2008 at 11:29 AM.

07-04-2008, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,429 OS: XPSP2	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? It could be a heat problem but I remember those power supplies being a little flaky. Did you put ME back on it? __________________

07-04-2008, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? yeah...I reinstalled ME. However I reinstalled while the operating system was up and running by using d: setup at the run command. In other words it replaced the operating system files leaving everything else in tact. Perhaps I should format and reinstall everything? The psu specs were real close to being right on the money. Only off by .03 mv. I've got UXD software diagnostics and everything checked out fine. It's not always right though. I think I've got another stick of pc100 ram. I think I'll swap it out and see it that matters.

07-04-2008, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,429 OS: XPSP2	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? I seem to remember a lot of issues with ME and power config settings on Dells of that vintage we just set everything in power options to "Always On" and that solved a lot of the problems. __________________

07-04-2008, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? the P3's didnt really bust a PSU like the P4's and above I would run some checking with memtest then try a fresh install of win ME <<<<<< wipe the drive first though with killdisk __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-04-2008, 05:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? I booted into safe mode and ran a thorough scandisk and the defragmenter without it bluescreening. So I formatted and am now doing a fresh install. I swapped out the memory and that didn't help. So it looks like it was a software conflict. I'll know pretty soon.

07-04-2008, 05:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? I didn't use killdisk. Is that better than a plain format?

07-04-2008, 05:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? FAR better than plain format >>>>>>>>>>>. format only preapres a small amount of the drive ........ killdisk wipes the whole drive .... ready for a new start !! __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-04-2008, 06:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
macten Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 223 OS: xp	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? Thanks for all the help. I reinstalled everything and so far it's been rock solid.

07-04-2008, 09:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 42,014 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Dell PSU Proprietary? glad you have it sorted __________________