Some help with my MOBOFollow

This is a request that I put out on my guild forums and I wanted to put it here too, since I know a lot of you guys are good with hardware. Copy and past follows:

So, we had these huge storms here the past 3 days and even though I use a kicka** surge protector and turn my PC off during storms, my computer got zapped (supposedly through the cable modem, at least according to the Indian tech support guy I talked to). Everything still works except my USB ports. All of the USB ports apparently got fried. I can't print or use my wireless keyboard and mouse, and I had to rewire my cable modem with a RJ-45.

Now, I need to get a new MOBO. Can somebody suggest a decent one that doesn't cost a huge amount (more then 100 bucks is pushing it). The relevant info:

3.2 P4 w/ HTT
1.0 gig DDR2 RAM at 400mHz (2 sticks of 512)
1 HDD
Need at least 3 USBs
MUST have a PCIe slot

I tried looking for something on my own, but all of the numbers/letters started to get really confusing. I think this is the kind of thing that if you don't stay on top of it, it's really hard to make an educated decision without help. So, if any of you hardware gurus out there can throw me a bone, I'd LOVE ya forever. Thanks all.

EDIT: Forgot to include that it's ATX form factor and onboard sound is required. I was also thinking it may be better to just install a new PCI USB adapter, something like this. Any suggestions are more then welcome and I thank you ahead of time.

EDIT #2: Ok, my mobo is Dell proprietary, so I would have to buy a new one from Dell for it to fit without a lot of cutting and rewiring. If I get some positive answers on that PCI USB adapter, I might just go that way.

Edited, Sun Jul 17 10:26:34 2005 by Jiggidyjay

K, I downloaded Everest and here's the summary:

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)


Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 540J, 3200 MHz (16 x 200)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 8400
Motherboard Chipset Intel Alderwood i925XE
System Memory 1024 MB (DDR2 SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (10/11/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RADEON X300 Series Secondary (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON X300 Series (128 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon X300 (RV370)
Monitor HP D5259A Pavilion M70 (TH00300631)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801FB ICH6 - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-1]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 266F
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801FR SATA AHCI Controller
Disk Drive ST3160023AS (160 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA)
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8163B (16x/52x DVD-ROM)
Optical Drive PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8631 (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:8x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status Unknown

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 149456 MB (127141 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller (68.55.59.159)
Modem Intel(R) 537EP V9x DF PCI Modem

Peripherals:
Printer EPSON Stylus CX6600 Series
Printer Fax
Printer Microsoft Office Document Image Writer
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB2 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [B-1]


I bought this PC because I thought I was getting a pretty good deal at 950 bucks (with wireless keyboard and mouse, but no monitor). Thanks for the help Bagira. I wanted to build my computer originally, but was kind of blown away by all the choices and trying to figure out what all components were compatible with each other and such.

Edited, Sun Jul 17 13:19:16 2005 by Jiggidyjay

I can't honestly say why I used the USB connection rather then the RJ45 initially. My understanding from doing some research is that the same problem could of occured if I connected it through the LAN card though (except the LAN card would of gone bad, which isn't as big a deal, and it could've fried the PCI slots too, possibly).

The PC is still under warranty, but they don't cover "natural disasters or acts of God"... unfortunately I slipped and told the tech support guy it had been storming earlier and I'm pretty sure they documented it on my account record. I called the dell parts line and they said they could sell me a new board for 181 bucks... yeah, right. The problem is dell cases and MOBOs are proprietary (no surprise there really), so a normal ATX board won't just slip in. I'd have to cut the case to make it fit and replace the heat shield and heatsink. The other problem is my Windows software is OEM of course and supposedly it won't run on a new MOBO, meaning... new software. I'm not 100% sure how true that is though. I was looking over the link Bagira gave earlier. It looks like it MIGHT have a work around, but I haven't looked at it in detail enough yet.

I may just try the PCI USB card. It's not a perfect solution, but if it doesn't work, I'm out 30 bucks max. If it works, everything's cool. I just need the USB for my printer, keyboard and mouse now, so it doesn't have to be anything highspeed really. I'm going to keep investigating though and see what I can come up with. Damn you Dell, damn you to hell...

Just my I would get into contact with the surge protector company and have them replace your stuff thats what they there for. I think your system can still get fried even if it's off. Like your monitor is not off unless you hit the power switch it still has power to it to shorten the time it takes come on.


Just file a claim with the surge protector company. the only thing they can do is say yes or no. Lord knows I abuse the hell out of mines. I switch to a ups unit about two years ago and could not be happyer.

HMM you didn't have your modem plug up through the surge protector. I have a DSL modem and its plug up to surge protector pluss even the phone line goes in to the surge protector and out to modem. Sorry I just miss understood.

I'd get a new case while you're at it JiggidyJay...