Category: Geeks r Us
Hello all,
I was hoping you could research something for me:
I am fixing a Dell Vostro 420 desktop that was given to me. First, according to the service manual, the hard drive is SATA; this was removed, and I think the power cable was, too. The old power supply wouldn't support the newer drive I bought; probably because the adapter was taken off, so I bought a new one. First, there is a 15-pen sata power cable; does this connect to a Molex connector with holes? Secondly, I can't get the hard drive to stay in place when screwing it in; can't even get it to go in straight. Does this computer have to have a hard drive catty, and if so, how do I get one? What about a front panel for the case? The button is broken for the switch, so when you put it on, and press the power button, nothing happens. However, if you remove the panel, you can turn the thing on with the switch. Got shocked by power supply earlier, but I think that was because there were no screws in the case; my mom's boyfriend tried it out after I got the screws in, and he didn't get shocked. I'm trying it tomorrow to make sure it just wasn't good luck to make sure that the PSU isn't defective. If you guys could figure out where to get a new front panel for the case, that would be great, and if there is a catty for the hard drive? I can't find this info anywhere.
Very appreciated.
Nathan.
I see you are looking for several parts.
I don't know, but do you try the computers company's first?
Yeah, looked on Dell's website. Found the front panel on EBay, but can't find a hard drive caddy.
Nathan.
Hi,
You say:
"The old power supply wouldn't support the newer drive I bought; probably because the adapter was taken off, so I bought a new one."
Why do you think the adaptor was taken off? Unless the PSU is a modula one (which is very unlikely in this instanse) the wires would have to be cut in order to remove the adaptor. If it originally came with a SATA drive the PSU would need a SATA power connector on it. What did you buy another of? Dell PSU's can be very specific to their cases, so did you make sure the PSU you've purchased is compatible with the system?
"there is a 15-pen sata power cable; does this connect to a Molex connector with holes?"
Are you refferring to a Molex > SATA power adaptor or just one of the cables coming out of the PSU? If the latter, count how many pins a molex connector on a drive has then ask yourself that question again. Spoiler: it doesn't; a 15 pin SATA power connector connects to the 15 pin power port on a SATA drive. Molex connectors have 4 pins.
"Does this computer have to have a hard drive catty, and if so, how do I get one?"
It sounds like there is a cage that 3.5' devices are held in but this is fairly common. Given that you have found something that you are attempting to screw the drive into, lets assume that the cage is present. The service manual for the 420 has this to say about hard drive installation:
"For the Vostro 420 and Vostro 220:
a Slide the hard drive into the hard drive bay.
b Align the holes on the side of the hard drive with the holes in the drive cage, and install the screws to secure the hard drive in the bay."
It sounds like the cage has specific screw holes instead of letting you have more control of where the drive goes. If this is the case I usually install the drive like so:
1. Slide the drive into the cage so that part of it is slightly poking out of the cage inside the case.
2. Place a screw on the end of your screw driver and with your right hand, attempt to put it into the screw hole. You should come into contact with the metal from the drive but continue to hold it in place with your right hand & apply a small amount of pressure.
3. With your left hand, reach into the case to find the part of the drive that is poking out of the cage and begin to move it forwards or backwards.
4. Eventually your right hand should notice a change & the screw will connect with the screw hole of the drive.
If this does not happen you've moved the drive the wrong way or not enough in step 3.
There should be 4 screws in total - two on the left & two on the right. If the drive is poking out of the cage so much that you can only screw one screw on each side in then you've moved it out too much.
Unfortunately it's very hard (for me at least) to explain this stuff; the best way to get good at building is to give it a go yourself & work out what works for you so in other words: what you're doing at the moment.
"The button is broken for the switch, so when you put it on, and press the power button, nothing happens."
Does the button on the panel have a piece of plastic that extends & pushes the actual button on the case when pressed? If this is the case & said piece of plastic isn't making contact with the actual button you could try to improvise & hot glue something too it to make it make contact.
It would be helpful if you used consistant terminology here; I'm not sure how a button can activate a switch for example.
"Got shocked by power supply earlier, but I think that was because there were no screws in the case"
Something's not right there; I have three systems here that are running without cases & I've never been shocked. Obviously I will be later today now that I've said that though. When I first started building I wasn't a fan of screws so I tended to leave them out but even then I never got shocked. Be careful.
Good luck.
Hi Ben:
Well, I replaced the power supply with a 550 Watt one; it fits perfectly in the Dell's case; yeah, after I replaced the power cord on the power supply, and the screws were in the case, I haven't been shocked yet; knock on wood...
What I was referring to as far as the hard drive is concerned, is that I don't think the older power supply supported a SATA drive. One end of the power cable connects to the drive, and the other end has some pens. When I replaced the power supply, I got the hard drive to work; installed Win 7; everything is working except for the bezel panel.
The button is basically pushed in, as if the spring inside the button is broken. But, as you said, you might be able to put something on the button, so that it makes contact with the switch. Great machine, nice and quiet.
Nathan.
And, I don't think the hard drive would be working if the data cable was only hooked up, right?
You'd not find parts like case front on the website unless they were specificly a computer builder that offered them separately.
I'd call them directly, or email.
I'd ask if other fronts were able tto fit the body.
Offten times the model number, or name will change, but the cases will be same or similar.
Like I said, I found some on EBay; when someone purchases it, I'll worry about replacing the front panel. So far, no interested buyers.