What is the best option to replace a bad Dell Motherboard?
140210
Never heard of a socket N. You said it's a P4 1.8GHz, then it's most likely a socket 478 P4 motherboard. It depends now if you need a mobo with or without an onboard graphics controller.\n\nMaybe one of the following mobo's fit your requirements\nhttp://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=469\nhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&description=motherboard+478+socket&Submit=ENE&Ntk=all&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=14&Go.y=28
277080
try going to compac.com and look for the support area. you will need to know what model number the computer is. You should be able to order a new mobo from them.
905181
Go to http://www.dell.com/support and look up the BIOS beep codes.
154379
It's not clear what you are asking.  Do you have a failed motherboard and you want to replace it with the same or a compatible motherboard?\n\nIf so, the primary considerations are processor type, motherboard chipset, and memory type.\n\nAt a minimum, you will need to get a motherboard with the same socket, i.e. socket 478 for Pentium 4 and certain Celerons, socket A for Athlon, Duron, and Sempron processors.  Determine the Front Side Bus (FSB) speed of your CPU and select a motherboard that supports that speed.\n\nNext, if you can find a board with the same chipset you may save having to find and download drivers.  Common chipsets are Via and Intel.  If you cannot find a motherboard with the same chipset (because it is obsolete for example), going with a newer chipset from the same manufacturer may help with driver issues.\n\nFinally, to reuse your memory, check that your new motherboard is compatible.
158832
Get a Dell drivers and utilities CD and boot from it and run the fan testing program on it. This is the only way to tell if the fan is truly broken. I run a used laptop business and 90% of the people who come to me with broken fans find out that their fans aren't broken. Make sure and update your BIOS to the latest Dell bios available from their web site to be sure your motherboard has the most up-to-date software to tell it when to turn the fan on, but then run the testing program before you self-diagnose it 'cause you think it runs too hot or something.
1156344
Goto a local shop that deals in PC's or try Dell.
236422
Go to the manufacturer site of your computer (Compaq, Dell, etc.) and search for drivers/downloads for your MODEL of computer.  Make sure you find the exact model that you have.  Look for the "chipset" download.\n\nPull that down, install the chipset.  Restart your computer.  If that does not work, please email me at mgopher007@yahoo.com
950193
It is very possible that the DC jack is broken on the motherboard and shorting out the adapter. Dell says that the DC jacks can not be repaired, but often you can replace them. I would recommend taking it to a local computer repair firm and see what they say. I have replaced DC jacks for several customers, but always with the warning that the repair itself could further damage the computer. If done succesfully, the 120 bucks to replace a dc jack is much cheaper than having the entire motherboard replaced.
703599
Well here the deal with  Dell No ONE CARRIES THE DELL CARTIDGES\nand if you get them refilled they may not work and if they do the most they will is 2 times this is becasue dell put a chip in the cartriges that tells the PC that its bad so you have to buy them from dell so your going to pay sooner or later
383805
As a technician and power user, I personally recommend Dell's to my clients.  They have a great warranty and excellent service.  \n\nGood Luck to you!
140932
If you don't even get the dell splash screen after replacing a video card, I would try reseating all the power cables going to the mother board. If you still get no video, then maybe you can get a pci video card to use just to get by. Make sure your following ESD procedure when installing parts (you might be frying the part before it even gets into the system).
100238
dont get a dell.there customer service is the worst of any company after you fork over money.and that is important because there product WILL break
653531
check here - http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d850mv/
407718
Go to http://support.dell.com/ and type in your Service Tag. It should be on a sticker somewhere on the case.
779494
pick parts at www.cyberpowerpc.com  You only need basic knowlege, and they put it together for you as well as testing it to make sure it works.  I had one made with better specs than the one Dell wanted to give me, for somewhat cheaper.  I'd be glad to offer further help or advice, so feel free to contact me.
419283
Memory - try removing the memory and see if you get system beeps.  If you do, then put the memory back in one at a time, until it fails to beep.  Do them separately, to determine which one is bad.\nVideo card.  Do the same thing.  Remove the video card, and see if the system beeps.\nAny other cards.  Same drill.\nYou can also remove all cards, and memory, so all you have is the mainboard, and fans.   See if it posts, or beeps.  If it does, then you start installing cards, and memory one at a time until it returns to its current issue.  This helps you isolate the defective item.\nIf the PC doesn't beep, and the symptom is unchanged with all cards and memory removed (unlikely), then remove all drives as well, if it still has no beeps, then its your mainboard.
858455
If your Dell has a slot for a graphics card, then you ought to be able to replace this card with a larger one, as long as you have the ram.