Parting out a Dell Server, need opinions

[DallasDon]

So anyway, I bought an old Dell Optiplex Gx 110 server at auction.

It has a 660 mhz PIII processor. Dell ID # 4QGX20B

I loaded a spare copy of Win98FE on it, and it works fine, except the network drivers are bad. So no internet.

I kinda want to gut the case, and practice modding it. It has some nice quick release features.

Here's the question:

Is there a motherboard out there that supports PIII processors, and SD ram? I'm thinking using the 98FE, processor, ram, CD and HD with a new mobo/psu/case to build an email server/folding cow.

Good idea, or more trouble that it is worth?

Thanks for looking. I gtg to bed, I'll check back around the crack of noon.

[osprey4]

I think most P3 boards support SDRAM, only a few support RDRAM.

If you just want a simple mail server/cow, why not use the Dell motherboard? If you need an NIC, they're pretty cheap. On something that old, the mobo/psu/case has got to be more expensive than what you'll get out of it.

[John Prophet]

socket 370 boards have gotten suprisingly hard to find....I think ebay is about the only way to find them now.

then also you have to keep in mind the Dell non-standard power supply/motherboard thingy...where Dell makes non-standard atx stuff by swapping some of the wires on the conenctors from the power supply...so when you swap a dell board you need to swap the power supply and vice versa. They do make an adapter for the purpose.

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

[lukewarmdog]

You bought a working machine and you want to mod it.
Ok to that.
You want to use it as a mail server.. sounds good. Alternatives are firewall, dedicated CD burner, word processor..

But the question about an alternative mobo is kinda throwing me.. why did you buy it in that case? I'd say considering you paid money for it I'd put it to some use, you must be able to get drivers for the NIC or replace it.

If not I'm pretty sure I've got one of those lying around work somewhere, I can always do a hunt for the drivers so you can get it on a network / the internet, not sure what OS is actually on the Dells I've got but there is a box marked "Dell stuff" taking up shelf space that I can go through if you want to see what is in it.

Chances are the drivers are on the HD somewhere in a non-standard folder or you could stick a higher end OS on it that will auto detect the network card.
Finally check www.bootdisk.com - there are drivers for nearly anything on there under network if memory serves.

[DallasDon]

Thanks for the replies. Let me clarify a couple of things.

I bought the comp at bankruptcy auction, complete with 17" monitor, for $50. I could have bought a truckload of them for that price.

Basically, I used the monitor and hard drive on another rig, and threw the rest in the closet.

The case is really big, with some cool quick release components. I figured to gut the mobo/psu, and do a practice mod with it.

I inderstand about Dells proprietary parts. This mobo has an intergrated NIC, and the mobo riveted to the case.

So I thought I would salvage the processor and build a mini desktop for email/folding. I found a micro ATX mobo at Tiger Direct for $30. I would rather go that route than spend the time to try to revive the Dell NIC.

I have everything else for the project in the closet. Thanks for the offer to go through your closet, LKD. That and folding is what started me on this project.

Then I can gut this bad boy, and if I destroy it with some modding techniques, it will be a cheap lesson.

[osprey4]

I love those Optiplex cases, and I know the guys that fix them here like them. But I still think you'd have saved some hassle just popping a new NIC into that case over replacing the motherboard.

Good pix, BTW.