What type of power supply ATX or non-ATX required for old Dimensions

Most of the P2 and P3 Dells have a proprietary powersupply. There are 2 ways to tell if the powersupply is proprietary. First, there should be an extra 6pin connector with 3 black wires and 3 wires of the same color usually orange but may be blue. Second, look at the 20pin connector, Dell only uses 19 of the 20pins. You can get an adapter for $10 to use a standard ATX powersupply with Dell motherboards. Look under "OEM Replacement" "Dell Accessories" here:  http://www.centrix-intl.com/

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@markgoodall wrote:

I've salvaged a bunch of older Dell Dimension systems and parts that I'm rebuilding and using to build some children's game machines.  Pentium-II and Pentium-III machines. I've read articles on the internet that state that Dell used non-ATX power supplies on some machines, and even though a standard ATX power supply connector will fit, it will not work and may damage the power supply and/or the motherboard. I have an ATX power supply tester that I use on my standard ATX power supplies and machines, but I not sure that tester would work on all these older Dell machines and parts I have. How can I tell if these Dell power supplies are standard ATX or not?How can I test these Dell power supplies to see if they are functioning or not?How can I get replacement power supplies for these Dell machines?Thanks for your help.

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The power connections look like this for many.
There are even 24 or 26 pin versions on one of the 8100 series.

You can Get a replacement supply from Dell Part 9228C or you can get a DELL power converter cable and use a regular ATX power supply. I would suggest doing this.

Part # DellCv

Convert Dell motherboard power connector to standard 20pin power supply connector 

http://www.centrix-intl.com/list.asp?CategoryID=60

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/dellconverter.html

 

Part Number is 9228C and cost is $35
DELL
Refurbished: Power Supply 200 Watt Dimension/Optiplex
Dell Part#: 9228C

$34.95



200 watt 3 volt, 20.6p 1.2a power supply for the

Dimension 4100, XPS B, XPS D, XPS R, and XPS T;

Optiplex E1, G1, NX1, GX1,GX1p, GXa, 

Optiplex  GX100, GX110, and GX200 Minitower and Medium

Desktop Chassis.

The DELLCV or other Converter parts allow you to use a standard off the shelf power supply instead of the dell.

Known exceptions:
Pentium 4 Dell Models that do not require
a power supply adapter:

Dell Dimension 4300, 4400, 8200

Pentium 4 Dell Models that are not compatible
with this power supply adapter:
Dell Dimension 8100