HP Pavilion 6636

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Guest

I have been searching and can not find the answer. I am hoping someone can
help here.

I am looking to overhaul this computer into another computer case. My
problem is, I want to replace the aging power supply but am very unfamiliar
with HP's way of power supplies like Dell using special wiring.

Just curious if I am able to replace the HP power supply with a standard
PSU. Do you think I will have problems? If so, what are some workarounds?

Thanks.
 
Ryan

Apart from the fact that the HP power supply is a little smaller and has
different fixings, cabling to the motherboard and devices is the same as any
ATX system..

To remove the board from the HP case, disconnect as much as you can easily..
then remove the screws holding the motherboard support panel found on the
other side, and carefully ease it out.. you should then be able to get to
the 20 pin ATX power cable..
 
Do you think any standard 20 pin PSU will work with my HP and not fry my
motherboard?

I'm just worried that if I fire up my computer with another PSU, it will fry
like a Dell.

So, if I am right, you are pretty sure that my HP will not respond like a
Dell, right?
 
It really depends on the PSU's wattage you have in the HP..? If you double
the wattage and the board can't handle it, the board will die..Most
motherboards in OEM computers are not the same as there boxed retail board
cousins that are sold separately and available now.. Whenever I repair an
older OEM computer I go to a computer exchange type shop and get a new used
or refurbished (part) PSU that has the exact wattage/configuration as the one
being replaced.. Sometimes you can fudge a Little but not a lot on the
wattage, an increases of say 30 watts might be safe.. If it has the same
start button cabling, and or fits the case config makes a difference too..
Though, on one of my older rigs the start button actually hangs out of the
open case.. It has been two years now since the PSU was replaced and it works
fine, as do all the other PSU's that Ive replaced for Friends over the
years.. If you want a beefy PSU, get a new mobo and you'll be fine..
j;-j
 
Why not look it up?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...ct=57648&lang=en&cc=us&docname=bph07169#N2420

(link may wrap)

This gives the pinouts for your mainboard. I'm not expert at such matters,
but the connector is wired like standard ATX boards I've used.

Things to watch out for: a lot of the PSUs on the market now support ATX
2.0, which uses a 24 pin connector. Some of them use a 20+4 connector, where
the extra 4 pins are on a separate part of the connector that can be split
off to maintain compatibility with 20 pin mainboards. Others only have 24
pin connectors, but come with a 20 pin adapter. (I'm using such a supply
from Tagan.) It's bulky, but it works.

There might be an issue with the -5V line. I believe that some newer
supplies may omit it. I have no idea whether you need it.


Address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.
 
I have an older HP Pavilion 541C and had the same concern especially after I
read some threads about HP using the standard 20 pin connector but reversing
polarity on a couple leads. I think there was also a physical difference
in the mounting for mine. I found a place in Florida that carried
replacement HP power supplies. I was able to get a higher wattage
replacement from them for $47.00 in about 3 days. It went in perfectly in
about 10 minutes. Let me know if you want their information and I'll dig it
out.

Dave
 
Ryan

The HP power supply is wired standard ATX, as most likely are the new
Dells.. older Dells, IBM, HP, Compaq, AST were way more proprietary that
they are these days..
 
Jaymon

What you are saying is not true.. it is perfectly acceptable to replace a
250w PS with a 500w or higher, and required if you are going to install more
drives, case fans, case lights, water cooling, refrigeration units, USB
devices with no separate power of their own etc, as long as the pinouts on
the ATX plug are the same..

A higher powered PS does NOT apply load to the motherboard or any other part
of a computer.. it just allows more to be run before the PS cuts out or
gives out..

If you have real evidence to the contrary, please post it back to this
thread..
 
Mike,

I thought we were talking about an old 6-7 year old HP computer, a socket
370 Celeron 800mhz, Intel 810 chipset.. An antique that the OP wanted to
restore..The HP supported OS for the computer was Windows 98, XP was not
supported.. I'm not saying XP won't work at all, ok..
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?docname=bph06783&dlc=en&lc=en&product=57648&cc=us&

I never said that a higher rated power supply would not work or would
definitely kill the board.. In thinking in the THEN, time period, I didn't
mean to confuse the NOW or the last 3-4 years..
I totally agree with what you are saying about the ATX form factor and the
NOW aspect, with the exception of adding all the extra water cooling, case
fans, case lights, refrigeration, etc.. Sounds a bit much for an old non
overclock-able board, wouldn't it be better suited for a newer P4 mobo..?
Perhaps I should have used the word ancient or didn't use the word "OLD"
enough in my post and am sorry for any confusion.. Especially if I implied
that upgrading the PSU on "ALL" OEM computers was risky or wouldn't work.. As
far as applying load I would agree PSU's should not.. Though, I have seen and
heard stories, depending on actual circumstances, have at times seemed to
conflict with that blanket assertion..See for yourself, (search dreams4531)
for just one example, is it proof or just coinsedence..? In no way was I
trying to intentionally mislead in either post and I try to usually play it
safe and can only hope that the OP makes the right call, for their particular
situation or computers configuration, that they use a little common sense
too..
I am not infallible or perfect..
Again, sorry for any confusion on my part..
j;-j
 
Mike,

Thanks for your help. At this point I am trying to figure out the unusual
front panel connnector. It is a 7 pin connector, which is very different than
a modern computer.

Just wondering how I will be able to get a computer case with that kind of
connector. Will any standard case work with these 7 pin connectors?
 
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