computer left outside for 6 months - will it work?

L

luke320

New Member
hello, i left an old dell dimension 4600 (from 2003) outside my house for six months because i thought it was broke, when it reality all that was broke was the video card.

anyways, the time has come to buy a new computer so i brought the old computer back inside and left it in our sittin room so it can air for a few days in the hope i can make use of the case + power supply at least.

i have two questions.... 1) do you think anything could be wrong with the case or power supply, if nothing else, becuz these things new cost like 40-60 euro each... and 2) will the case be compatible with modern motherboards?

really appreciate it if someone can give some input.
 
Did you leave it outside as like in your backyard, with rain coming down and all? If so, I highly doubt it still works. Even if you air it out, the water probably corroded something.
 
There are a couple of problems with your post:
A) The details regarding the environment are very vague.
B) You left the computer outside because you thought it was broken; all that was broken was your graphics card.
C) Dimension 4600's don't have video cards, they have integrated graphics controllers that are part of the motherboard; to which that would mean that if your graphics controller is what failed then your motherboard has to be replaced.

All-in-all, your computer is probably as dead as those retiring at the morgue. If you can bring the dead back, props to ya man.
 
hey, thanks for the replies!

sorry for being vague - yes indeed i left it outside in the yard which exposed it to rain and spiders and whatever else.

thx to the 3rd poster in particular for giving a bit more detail - we'll assume the motherboard and whatever components are in it are all dead - that's fine... but my questions now are... 1) do you think the case will be compatible with modern motherboards? it's not that old afterall... and 2) will the power supply still be okay? could i take it out and use it in a new case

if anyone can add any more it would be nice :)
 
psu + water/moisture is not a good combination, turning that thing on after all this time could result in nasty consequences, along the lines of things going bang!
 
If you just really really want to try it. I would suggest using a extinction cord and plugging it up in your driveway and turning it on. Fire/explosion/bolts of flying electricity/smoke does not do well in the house.
 
Hehe... honestly, the PSU is probably just as dead as anything else. Under some miraculous condition that it would still work, I would fear that it is a fire hazard. Aside from which, since it was exposed to the elements for such a long time I'm sure the metal inside of it is rusted.

Regarding the case, if it is in good condition then you should be able to put a micro ATX board inside that Dimension 4600 case w/o problems. In reality though, you should probably just think about a new build if you want another computer. Sorry to crush your hopes, but that is probably the reality of the situation; unless you have a way of making miracles happen -- or magic!
 
well i turned on the computer yesterday and it turned on fine except it just made a very light humming noise instead of a louder noise it used to make in the past... i don't know what this indicates but i figure the power unit works at least... which means potentially saved 50 euro.

i just have one more dumb question to end this silly thread. if take out the power supply in a brand new computer and replace it with this old one that has been damp or wet many times...... is there any chance somethin could be faulty and trigger a high voltage current that could do a lot of damage?? i'm thinking most definitely yes there is a chance, but i wonder can anyone give an intelligent response on the likelyhood of the psu causing damage to a new computer.

thx!
 
luke320 said:
well i turned on the computer yesterday and it turned on fine except it just made a very light humming noise instead of a louder noise it used to make in the past... i don't know what this indicates but i figure the power unit works at least... which means potentially saved 50 euro.

i just have one more dumb question to end this silly thread. if take out the power supply in a brand new computer and replace it with this old one that has been damp or wet many times...... is there any chance somethin could be faulty and trigger a high voltage current that could do a lot of damage?? i'm thinking most definitely yes there is a chance, but i wonder can anyone give an intelligent response on the likelyhood of the psu causing damage to a new computer.

thx!
Click to expand...

Extremely likely you would skrew something up, bad.
 
Stranger things can happen! like when I put my Iphone in washing machine then when I found it I put it in dryer and hey! it still worked, if you don't try you never know and what do you have to lose!
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Hey your computer can still work

Hey do u know even after keeping it out for a year it will work unless it is keep in water .. so if it kept out in dry place then it is usefull and yes if u want a new casing or a new mother board then contacthttp://for a new case
 
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