Dell Desktop repair, help please!

[JohnSin]

Hello

I accidently plugged my dell 110v desktop computer to a 230v plug. Popped and smoke followed... Knew about the different standard but thought like my others electronic, that as long as it is written the device is compatible that should do it... Well there is a tiny switch 110 to 230 on the back... Ok enough excuses...

Who do you recommend to repair it? Found one on the internet and asked me to bring the desktop and possibly pay S$200... I hear the power supply unit is fairly cheap like $20-30

(called Dell but they dont have a service repair center in Singapore)

Thank you in advance!

[JR8]

The power supply is the likely candidate as you have identified. It is not complicated to replace it yourself. First step is to identify the specifications of the original, and ensure that you are replacing with like for like (or higher capacity).

Then, you can find how to guides on Youtube like this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzolRkN7Eew
'How to Replace Your PC's Power Supply'


So if you feel up to that you can save yourself a lot of money. If I were you I'd mark with stickers all the plugs and sockets on the old PS and connected components, or make some kind of sketch of them so you have a cue to help to remember what to plug into which from the new one.

p.s. By the way I'd expect to pay from about S$50 for a decent PS...

[zzm9980]

It depends on your Dell. If it is a normal-sized tower or desktop, you will probably be able to buy a power supply to replace it. If you have one of those small form-factor/slim line desktops, you're likely screwed.

JR's price is a bit low for a power supply I'd personally trust. More like $70-90 plus labor

Power supply is easy to replace. It's a lot of screws (all phillips) and cables, but nothing overly complex. Everything only fits into one type of connector. If you'd feel comfortable installing/swapping RAM, or a video card. If you don't or don't know what that means, pay someone else to do it for you.

[JohnSin]

Thank you both for your answers.

Yes repair it myself could be an option.

Do you recommend a place where I can buy the piece?
Yes it is standard large dell desktop, about 4 yrs old.

[zzm9980]

Go to Sim Lim Square and look around. If it is 4yrs old, it is most likely a standard ATX power supply. Your best bet is to remove the old one and bring it with you. I'd also mark which of the power connectors were plugged into something, and which weren't.

Power supplies are mostly standard, but occasionally OEMs such as Dell will use a proprietary connector for small things like CPU or case fans, or they'll have a non-standard number of connectors. The voltages are all standard, and the shape and size of the connectors will only let you plug things into where they're supposed to go. You mainly want to make sure you get the right power supply with enough of the connectors you need.

[x9200]

Don't be surprise if this is not only your power supply (PS). If you are unlucky practically all what important may be dead starting from HDDs and mother board. Some components require symmetric or multi voltage power supply and if a PS dies you don't really know what kind of voltage it outputs before making its final breath.

[JohnSin]

Thank you again, will go there.

Found the associated dell manual online, it is pretty straightforward process.

Hopefully the motherboard is ok...

[JohnSin]

Thanks to you, was able to solve the issue. Bought the piece for $79 at sim lin (went to different place to compare prices, but they were consistent...) and the removal and installation took me about 30 minutes. I did also changed the power cord.

Case closed, thank you again

Ps: so got lucky in a way, only changed the power supply unit and the cord.

[JR8]

Nice