Can't upgrade a Dell?

NO CA$H

NO CA$H

Veteran
I just read this....

Why can't I just buy a Dell?

Let me warn you about what Dell does. First read this article on Dell proprietary (non-standard) ATX design. That's right, they have their motherboards and power supplies specially designed to be non-standard and thus not upgradeable so that you have to buy replacement parts from Dell! Then they were quite happy to advertise that their computer comes with an Creative Audigy 2 sound card but they don't advertise too loudly that some features have been disabled to make it cheaper. So they removed the MIDI support! That might not be a big deal for you but my primary reason for buying the card was because I'm a musician who plays MIDI keyboards so that was quite a showstopper for me. They also disabled the digital input or output (I forget which). Then they sold me an nVidia GeForce 2 GTS graphics card with only half the memory of the retail version. Another Dell cost cutting measure.
So Dell has name brand peripheral makers like nVidia and Creative make special cards with disabled features just for Dell and they sell them as if they are the equivalent of the retail version. Beware. This is very deceptive marketing and I would never buy from Dell again.
Finally, I followed the instructions on the Dell web site on how to upgrade my Dell 8100 from Windows Me to Windows XP. They provided programs and drivers and BIOS upgrades and everything. Then when I called Dell for support, the first question they asked was, "Did you buy Windows XP from us?". When I told them I had bought it locally, they informed me that they could not help me since they did not sell me the operating system. End of conversation.
So if you buy a PC from Dell. You must like this type of deception and abuse. You can build your own cheaper and have better quality parts.
Click to expand...

Does anyone know if I can at least add more RAM and maybe a new sound card?

Or is theres some kind of governor?
 
Actually I have a Dell Dimmension 4600 series. I tried to add a firewire card, but it is non standard. I had to buy one from Dell in order to do it. Furthermore, as far as adding RAM I had to order that from Dell as well.

It depends on your model for what you will need to get. The newer Dells are all proprietary, some of the older ones you have some flexibility. My buddy has a massive dell laptop and he has been able to upgrade that, so it is a crap shoot. Dell doesn't make a dual monitor card for my computer so that option is out for me.

In general, for future purchases I am just going to build my own computer. Seems like the better option for me in the future.
 
I've got some cheap dells, I've added hard disks and RAM to 'em and replaced the graphics card and added an Audigy 2 aftermarket sound card...
 
I have the new one... the XPS 400 and some how I forgot to add a firewire card when I customized it so I guess I'm screwed.
 
I thought dell was just an IBM clone. I had an old Compaq that was like that. Could not upgrade - Frustrating. Now I just build my own
 
My dell does have firewire actually. I could just use the regular firewire to edit right? Or do I need Decklink or something?
 
For DV? (or the HVX, or *cringe* HDV ) yes, all you need is Firewire.

..dude.. you got a.. yeah, never mind.

- Mikko
 
Dell & HP/Compaq. You're taking on chance on whether you can do anything without buying from them.

But I don't mind duct-taping a hard drive into the case now and again.
 
three years ago i tried putting in SIX, i said SIX brand name firewire cards into my dell dimension. NOTHING WORKED! i didnt know know, so decided to order one from dell. lo and behold, it worked. what a crappy computer.
 
LOL Michael

You mean your computer was crappy?

I have had 5 Dell's (From Laptop's to Dimensions to my current Precisoin) and have had ZERO issues. I have added Firewires and Graphics Cards and never an issue.

My companies server is also a Dell Server and it has been Solid for 3 years hosting all of my sites

Dell is solid.

Computers do exactly what we tell them to; everything else is user error.
 
michael_summers said:
three years ago i tried putting in SIX, i said SIX brand name firewire cards into my dell dimension. NOTHING WORKED! i didnt know know, so decided to order one from dell. lo and behold, it worked. what a crappy computer.
Click to expand...

Does Dell make their own brand of Firewire cards or do they tweak with other ones?
 
Dell adheres to the same computer specs as everyone else. In fact they are often one of the first to adopt new specs like PCIe which can be problematic since firewire cards are PCI and many graphics cards are ATI.

But you can upgrade them to your hearts content. Although with the price of processors I’d buy a new computer before upgrading, Dell’s BIOS is where I have found most of the compatibility problems.

I have a XPS which is all PCIe and SATA, it is rock solid and for the price I doubt you can beat it. That’s not tosay that there aren’t better computers they just cost a lot more.
 
Yes, there's a FW400 card and there might be a FW800 card now. I would also suggest purchasing paripherals from Dell, thier prices are good and if there's any incompatability issues you can exchange them until you get it right.

Do you already have external drives? If not I also recommend SATA RAID. I have a 500GB G-SATA externa; and another 650GB SATA internally. works great!

I have a brand new FW800 4 bay drive for sale if your interested, it's what I replaced with the SATA RAID.
 
i've had my dell for almost 4 years now. i haven't had any problems with it yet. everything that has happened to it was because of stupid spyware and worms from my campus. i love it though, i will never let it go.
 
GenJerDan said:
Dell & HP/Compaq. You're taking on chance on whether you can do anything without buying from them.

But I don't mind duct-taping a hard drive into the case now and again.
Click to expand...



i just got an HP Zd8000 laptop. 3.4gghtz 1gig ram all the goodies.

totally scalable. no problems. there are even a few removable plates where you can take out all the componenets. and put in new ones.


You get what you pay for kids.
 
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