Can non-dell hardware work?

[JKS]

According to "Upgrading your PC" from QUE publisher, Dell machines after September ?, 1998 use non-standard powersupplies. While the powersupply uses the same connector as any other, the pinout on their motherboards are different from the others. If you upgrade the motherboard, you'll need to replace the powersupply as well.

Does this issue extend to PCI cards and drives? Would you have to get these from Dell?

Any other manufacturers that are known to pull stunts like this?

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

Nope you can use any PCI cards and drives.

Good job reading that book by the way

 

[JKS]

Thanx

 

[Qiranworms]

Any other manufacturers that are known to pull stunts like this?

Often. That's one of many reasons most of the geek-type that hang around here prefer building their own machines.

 

[macdude425]

Any other manufacturers that are known to pull stunts like this?

Apple , HP, Compaq, and a few others that I know of. Why they would want to do this is beyond me though.

(OK, I know why, I just cannot fathom it...)

 

[turtile]

I saw a Dell computer from 4 years ago that had 24 pins with two blank pins.