Upgrading a Dell Dimension XPS D266

[Nik Ahmad Fahmi]

Hi,

First of all please excuse me if my questions have been asked so many times
before.

Well I'm trying to upgrade my Dell (Dimension XPS D266) to maybe a Pentium
III processor. I got myself an MSI MS-6163 mobo and was trying to replace
the original Intel LX mobo. There's 2 problem which deferred my decision to
pull out the Intel mobo.

First of all, there's 2 sets of power supply cable, the normal ATX power
input connector and a 3.3V power input connector. What is the function of
the latter coz' my MSI mobo got only 1 power input connector?

Secondly, Dell seems to modified the Intel mobo such that all the speaker,
reset, power, power LED, HD LED, etc. connector have been
replaced by what the called control panel connector (J8F2) which is
connected to the casing using a special cable. Has anybody deciphered the
mapping of this special connector? I mean which one is for speaker, power,
reset, power LED and so on.

Has anybody has done this kind upgrade before and how do they do it?

Thanks in advance for any tips/guidance.

Regards

Nik.

[JimLowther]

"Nik Ahmad Fahmi" <nfa...@abdulla.pc.my> wrote:

>Well I'm trying to upgrade my Dell (Dimension XPS D266) to maybe a Pentium
>III processor.

>First of all, there's 2 sets of power supply cable, the normal ATX power

>input connector and a 3.3V power input connector. What is the function of
>the latter coz' my MSI mobo got only 1 power input connector?

The second power connector contains all the 3.3 volt lines specified in the ATX
spec, plus additional common grounds. The connector that looks like an ATX
connector is not wired as such-do not power you new motherboard from it. It is
not rocket science to rewire the Dell connector to ATX specs, although you will
have some extra 5 volt and common ground wires. The signal assignments for the
Dell connector are on their support web site, and the ATX signal;s are readily
available.

Most folks who have made this discovery opt instead to buy a new case and power
supply. Alternatively you can get a new PS only. The problem comes in with
what to do with the old stuff. If you were going to throw it all out anyway
then I suppose it matters little what you decide to do. However, by keeping
the old CPU, MB, PS, and case intact, you could probably sell it for the cost
of a new case and PS and maybe a little more.

>Secondly, Dell seems to modified the Intel mobo such that all the speaker,
>reset, power, power LED, HD LED, etc. connector have been
>replaced by what the called control panel connector (J8F2) which is
>connected to the casing using a special cable.

Yes, and the only thing I can think of is to trace the wires to see what is
connected to what (again, not a difficult task, electrically speaking).
Another issue you may not have thought of (or you may have lucked out)--do the
I/O connectors line up with the openings in the back of the case? Most MBs
will come with an I/O shield which fits a standardized area in the back of an
ATX case to accommodate the variety of I/O in ATX MBs. The Dell case is
different. You may want to check this out.

Best wishes,

Jim Lowther

[Nik Ahmad Fahmi]

Hi Jim,

Thanks a lot for your insight ... I guess I have to replace the casings
after all :-(. I kinda like Dell casing. I wonder if anybody do sell casings
which looks like it??

Say ... would Dell sell me just its new PIII motherboard plus casings??

Regards

Nik.

[JimLowther]

Nik Ahmad Fahmi" <nfa...@abdulla.pc.my> wrote:

>I kinda like Dell casing. I wonder if anybody do sell casings
>which looks like it??

I always liked the XPS cases from an aesthetic standpoint. I have not found
any that have the vents like the Dell does.

>Say ... would Dell sell me just its new PIII motherboard plus casings??

IMHO, you don't want to go that route. First, the price that Dell would charge
would not be reasonable. Second, AFAIK, you would be fighting this battle all
over again when it came time to change out the PIII motherboard. Besides, I
really don't like the newer Dell case all that much (aesthetically speaking)!

If you like Intel boards (which, inspite of limited overclocking capability are
still good quality), you can always get an OEM version and a good quality case,
secure in the knowledge that you stand a reasonable chance that you can fit in
another ATX form factor board when you want a 133 mhz FSB or rambus technology
or a Sextium or Septium (Octium? Nonagium? Did Intel really think this through
when they changed the name?), or whatever else your next MB will not support.
Abit and ASUS also make good boards. You might find a barebones setup that
would work for you, too.

Best wishes,

Jim Lowther