When I log on to MSN dialup, my color/graphics change from 32 bit to 6 bit. I have to reset through control panel. MSN and Dell said it was a mother board issue since the graphics are made into the MB. I installed a GForce graphic card and yes, I connected the monitor to the new board. The problem continued. Do I have a power supply issue, or what?

Welcome to PCHF !
Unfortunately I do not think this is good


PC World - The 10 Worst PCs of All Time

Probably... One of our techs says his shop bought a bunch of those-- and to get NEW PSU units involves --


Dunno about you-- but I'd be thinking "upgrade time"

I say this with no malicious intent... but sometimes it's better to cut your losses and run-- because by the time you get this right you could spend enough to buy a whole new system.

You could also go the "just buy the tower portion" keep the monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers(?)
As a Former Dell Owner "Dimension 4300" this is the route I chose-- some of the components of that Dell are still in use (not here--a friend's monitor quit a couple years back--she had no money)
And the keyboard still works-- I use that on occasion.
I'd be glad to help you find your best option--
In MY humble opinion if your PC is number 2 on the "top ten WORST of all time" and you are having what may point to Power Supply problems... it's time to "move on"

@Valis-- any comments??

hey doug, and welcome to pchf.......yeah, that was an 'interesting' pc to say the least. You could buy a new psu, those are not expensive and are generally rather easy to install; however, on that particular model, the psu input is sort of swapped, with the port on the upper part, while 99% of other machines have it on the lower part of the psu. Hence the taking a saws-all to it to get enough metal cut away to get the plugs to meet the prongs. Bit of a pain. Personally, were I you, I would take the rig to a mom and pop shop, not a Best Buy/Circuit City, and have them test the psu for you. If it's bad, see what they charge to install it. A new psu is pretty cheap, if turns out you need a new one.

But yeah, I would seriously start thinking about upgrading. That machine is well past end of life, and I think that anything over $50 tops, is tossing good money after bad. And I personally wouldn't toss $50 at it. But see if you can get the psu checked, to at least eliminate that. Call around, most places will do it for pretty cheap.

Thanks for the responses. Interestingly, I talked to Dell again today. They insist I need a mother board and will not address a power supply issue with me. I have a friend who builds computers...I guess I can use the case and the new memory toward building a new machine.

If I were you --maybe try to work the RAM in, but ditch the case.
O.E.M. cases often have non-standard sizes/mobo mountings--that are not moveable. You can find some real deals online. If you friend builds-- he'll be able to suggest a case. You'll save time-- him maybe a lot of aggravation (trying to "make it fit") Aftermarket cases have screw-in mounts--predrilled to match any number of motherboard configs. You need to move one-- unscrew it put it in another (matching) hole. 2 seconds=done.
Without Power-Supply I've seen cases offered online in the sub-$50.00 range that are perfectly acceptable-- some even with extras like removeable or side-mount Harddrive bays (easy install ) Front USB/Firewire-ports, etc. You have to hunt for these deals --but it can be done. Ask your builder FIRST... tell hime you need just a tower built-- he/she may have suppliers he prefers--recommendations to make.
Sometimes OEM copies of Major software presents another problem-- if he builds a lot --he'll know where to get a legal/less expensive copy --if need be-- Many times OEM machines have "restore" discs which won't install on "foreign" hardware. BE SURE to make your builder aware of this-- if you have these(@#%$&*!) things. He will be able to tell you what will work --and what will not.

Take your time-- you don't want to rush out /spend a chunk of money on something that will leave you wishing you'd been just a little more cautious.
If you take your time--you will end up with a working PC that is upgradable for YEARS by just changing the mobo/ram/video-card combo--Those are the 3 main things-- you can re-use almost everything else-- until it actually fails.

Measure the space the tower needs to fit--width is not an issue-- mostly-- but height can be. Measurements can often be found via the web... or on the box.
If I think of anything more that experience has taught me --I'll post back.

Please let us know how you make out. If you think it through with the help of your builder you should be very happy.

marking as answered.