Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tekgen!tekcae!ralphc From: ralphc@tekcae.CAX.TEK.COM (Ralph Carpenter) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: Compaq DeskPro power supply "Silent Recall" Message-ID: <7013@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM> Date: 11 Dec 90 18:58:29 GMT References: <7005@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM> Sender: news@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM Reply-To: ralphc@tekcae.CAX.TEK.COM (Ralph Carpenter) Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR. Lines: 36 In article gerry@frc2.frc.ri.cmu.edu (Gerry Roston) writes: >In article <7005@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM> ralphc@tekcae.CAX.TEK.COM (Ralph Carpenter) writes: >> >>I have an 8086 based DeskPro, and my boss's is an early 286 based DeskPro. >>I bought my machine about 6 months after my boss bought his. His power supply >>went out shortly after the warranty period ended (of course!),and BusinessLand >>replaced the power supply for a modest fee (approx. $600). > >Actually, 200+W power supplies can be purchased for <$75. Replacing >the bugger in a PC takes a screwdriver or two and <30 min. Pay >some one $600 to do this?? You've got to be nuts! > >Of course, if Compaq will replace it for free, that's better. But >how much down time is involved? >gerry Yes, 200+ Watt power supplies for IBM Clones can be purchased for $75 or so. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The rub is that the Compaq DeskPro is not *physically* an IBM Clone. Instead of having the power switch on the side, it has the switch in the rear. Clone power supplies will not fit. The cost of that Compaq power supply is why my boss and I are now committed to only buying Clones, with AT form factors. Our last two machines were completely generic, with associated peace of mind. (One was cheaply upgraded from a 10mhz 286 to a 20mhz 386 with a Mylex MotherBoard. Bonus: A new machine must be depreciated over a 5 year period. A new motherboard can be written of the same year.) Ralph Carpenter Tektronix, Inc. Beaverton, OR P.S. Usual disclaimers. I do not represent Tektronix, the IRS or anybody else. Advice on the depreciation period came from an accountant.