In-laws PC has no lights on the MB. I was thinking/hoping power supply but after going trough some steps with dell they think it's the MB. So would it be best to replace it with a dell MB or get an aftermarket?

4/3/2006 9:09:24 PM

Use Dell parts.

To make sure that everything lines up properly in the case (especially the processor cooling duct) try to find a refurbished replacement motherboard for the unit.

That particular form factor is extremely common and you should be able to use boards from various OptiPlex or Dimension lines equal to, greater than or lesser than the failed unit. Just make sure they used a case that looked the same way.

4/3/2006 9:27:31 PM

out of warranty? even if it is call and complain some. I had a motherboard replaced in a 4100 years ago, even after the warranty had expired by a few months. A friend has had everything except the case and screen on his notebook replaced and the warranty expired over a year ago.

4/3/2006 10:33:41 PM

it's well out of warranty, like 2 years out. And we think it might have been struck by lightning sometime today.

If anybody can get parts cheaper they said about $140 for a 4P615 w/ integrated audio. I've checked ebay and I can find the 4P615 but not with integrated audio.

4/3/2006 11:31:04 PM

$140 for 2-3 year motherboard? Yikes!

If it's something they need immediately, get it off of Ebay, along with a cheap 5.1 sound card ($20 or less) and a decent surge protector .

4/4/2006 5:34:56 AM

^ yeah.

And note that I said use Dell parts but that doesn't mean you have to get them from Dell.

Again, that is a very common form factor and you can find a LOT of motherboards that will physically match your box but could be faster hardware. (In other words get a board from a later Dimension or OptiPlex.)

4/4/2006 9:04:15 AM