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220

Stop cutting off unused connectors

220 points posted to Desktops by tired_ 07/11/07

I've noticed Dell systems permanently disable unused connections on the motherboard. For example, a friend of mine just bought a Dimension E521, intending to put his old 250GB IDE hard drive into it to go with the new SATA hard drive Dell provided. We were stunned to discover that, while there was a Primary IDE connection on the motherboard, the plug where you connect the cable had been cut off the board! Now, I can't see how cutting off a connector like this adds any value for Dell, and I certainly saw how disappointed and annoyed my friend was, especially considering that Dell never informed him before purchase that the system would be artificially constrained from upgrades. Please stop doing this.

kenjennings
07/11/07		 It looks like it was actually cut off? Or was it never soldered on in the first place?
tired_
07/11/07		 All the pins are there, and the outline of the connector, but they are level with the board. It certainly looks like I could solder one on, myself, if I were so inclined. The section is even labeled Primary IDE on the board. I can't tell if it was attached and then removed, or simply provided but not attached, but the request is still the same. Would a picture help?
john457
07/11/07		 Befor you go through the trouble of soldering on a connector I would make sure that all the supporting circuitry is in place on the board. If you look around on the board you will probably find some places where it looks like a chip was left off.
davmcn
07/11/07		 I know happened to me also...i am not so happy either...except mine is Not there mine only support 4 Sata Drives!
johnpro
07/11/07		 This is just wrong! I would suggest buying an IBM/Lenovo because they are much better then the cheaply made competitors.
davmcn
07/11/07		 Nah, i would more Hp Style other wise
scotty750
07/16/07		 actually, the boards in most computers for Tier 1 vendors are like this. and the reason is simple. money. Dell and other vendors will use the exact same board for multiple products at different price points.

for instance the dimension 4600, 2400, 3000 may all use the same board. each one is a different price point. as part of the tradeoff for the lower price points, is lower functionality as far as upgrades (ie the 3000 only supports 2 dimms of memory, the 4600 supports 4) in fact the 3000 warranty replacement boards are an inch shorter by totally knocking off 2 memory slots. saves a dime a board. adds up on a couple million systems a month.

this is a standard industry practice among all tier 1 vendors.

follows the same precepts of the auto industry. grand caravan and town and country are basically the exact same vehicle. T&C is more expensive. Why?? well certain little things are left out of the caravan, even though the parts are all the same. it allows them to save money on the model and sell it at a lower price point.
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