Question...

My power supply recently went out on my Dimension 8100 computer. I've been told that with this particular PC I can only purchase one type of power supply. Is this true? and if it is why are all the power supplies that I've found for this over $80.00??? If anyone know's a good place to purchase this product for better than $80 please let me know... i'm desperate

Thanks

FC

I am afraid some Dell power supplies have an extra connection to the motherboard and to use a non Dell item could lead to you frying your board.
The only way round it is to change both PSU and board, which is an expensive option.

Here is some Dell hatemail, even if it is old(er):
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2001june/bch20010629006590.htm

Found this:
The last Dell to use a proprietary powersupply pin assignment(except the new XPS) was the 8100. You can use a standard powersupply on the 8200 and up motherboards. To use a standard heatsink you have to install a standard Intel P4 heatsink retention setup.

PC Power and Cooling sells a power supply that will work with those older Dells. Hodsocks is right. The Dell power supplies are the same except the ATX connector is wired differently.

By looking at the colors of the wires, could you not rewire a standard ATX-connector as per DELL spec?
They only try to put you off by interchangeing some off those wires, they must be normal PSU's otherwise.
Try to find out the manufacturer of those DELL-PSUs.

Maybe it might be time to trash that Dell box and build one yourself!
At least trash the MB!

Dell is NOT swell!