HELP FINDING A CARD TO FIT MY PCI SLOT

Suggest use a USB adapter card.

More specifically a PCI USB adapter card.

Dell Support > Inspiron 530 Series Desktop PC > Owner's Manual,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd530/en/OM/HTML/index.htm

In the list click on - Removing and Installing parts

1) Unplug the computer from power.
[Unplug FROM the surge protector, not the back of the computer. (Power Supply)
Unplugging from the back could lead to a power surge ]

2) Computer on a table open the computer case,
Click on - Removing the Computer Cover - in the list.

3) FOLLOW Anti-Static Precautions
Your body carries Static electricity. Static WILL fry out (Short Circuit) the delicate hardware inside the computer.

Computer on a table, computer unplugged from power, computer case open.
TOUCH an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of the open computer case.
This action will relieve your body of Static.

Should you leave your computer in the middle of working on it, be SURE to Touch the metal frame again, upon your return.

4) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd530/en/OM/HTML/parts.htm#wp1184332

Here you see an illustration of your motherboard. Oriented as it is in your computer case. (Just no hardware components, nor cables are attached)

At the bottom of the motherboard are 2 White long expansion slots.
In the illustration they are labeled by the numbers 21 and 22.
If one of these slots is open, and not being used, you can install a PCI USB adapter card.

This is one example of a PCI USB adapter card,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5606148&Sku=S262-2744

At the back of the computer, located towards the bottom, are the Expansion Slots.
Four horizontal slots.

If there isn't some sort of add-on adapter card already installed, all of the expansion slots will be covered with an Expansion Slot Cover.

If there is an add-on adapter card installed of course, one of the expansion slot covers will be removed.

Line up the PCI USB adapter card with the open PCI slot, you have chosen.
Now look at the expansion slots at the rear of the computer.
Notice what expansion slot that the PCI USB card's bracket, lines up with.

Go to the back of the computer, and view the small metal bracket on the bottom right. Loosen the Thumbscrew, and swing the bracket out. (Thumbscrew is supposed to just loosen, not come out)

Remove the expansion slot cover for your PCI slot choice.
Install the PCI USB adapter card.
Note that there is a Locating Lug in the PCI slot, and a matching Locating Notch, on the PCI USB adapter card.

Line them up, then push the PCI USB card straight down into the PCI slot.
Also watch the metal bracket on the back of the PCI USB card.
The 'tang' at the Bottom, slides down in-between the framework.

The top of the bracket has a half-moon notch, that lines up with a small 'dowel' on the computer case framework.
Make sure it is aligned, and the bracket is aligned.

What I am referring to will become readily apparent, as you go to install the PCI USB card.
If there are any other add-on adapter cards, they may try to fall out, when you go to install the new add-on card.

You just have to line them up, so their bracket notches are all on the 'dowels', and hold them in place. Then swing the 'door' closed. Tighten the thumbscrew.

If you have an Add-on card in the way, and by moving it to the other PCI slot, will allow you to install the PCI USB card, go ahead, and move it.
Doesn't matter. BIOS will find it, and assign an Interrupt Request.


There are two other expansion slots above the 2 white PCI slots.
The expansion slot right above the top PCI slot, is a PCI-Express x1 slot.
If this slot is open, OR the only one available, you can use a PCI-Express USB adapter card.

Example,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5606149&CatId=511


The last expansion slot you have is above the PCI-Express x1 slot.
This is a PCI-Express x16 slot, and is ONLY used for a graphics card.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

A version that is Wireless N.

You can install a Wireless N adapter card in any available (Open)
white PCI slot, or use a Wireless N adapter that plugs into any available USB port.

1) Dell Support > Studio XPS 8100 Desktop PC > Service Manual,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio8100/en/sm/index.htm

I would like you to click on - Technical Overview

Now on System Board Components

The number 23 points to the white PCI slot.
The numbers 24 and 26 point to a PCI-Express x1 slot.

You can buy a Wireless N adapter card to fit either a PCI slot, or a PCI-Express x1 slot.

{NOTE* Number 27 points to a PCI-Express x16 slot.
This = NO.
This expansion slot is used for a graphics card, ONLY }

Examples of a Wireless N adapter card for a PCI slot, and a PCI-Express x1 slot,

A) PCI: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4389486&CatId=2701

B) PCI-Express x1:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=788312&CatId=2702

C) USB:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5079829&CatId=2688

Why use anything but a USB Wireless N adapter?
I don't know. They allow me to toot the whistle, but not drive the train.

Information on PCI, and PCI-Express;

PCI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_local_bus

PCI-Express:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

If you're looking for what type of video card would be compatible with this motherboard:

According to the specifications for this particular motherboard, it has one (1) PCI-E x16 slot, one (1) PCI-E x1 slot, and two (2) PCI slots. When shopping for a video card, simply look at the detailed specifications of the card and make sure that it fits into one of these three types of slots. As long as it fits either a PCI-E x16, PCI-E x1, or PCI slot, it should be compatible with the motherboard.

As a general rule, the vast majority of video cards these days are made to fit PCI-E x16 slots, so you shouldn't have much trouble finding one that'll work with your board.

From a general look on Dells website your computer only supports PCI style cards. You might have a completely different style of motherboard in there depending on when your PC was made. The only way to know whats truely inside your computer is to look up the Service Tag that is on the outside of the case. You can also take the side cover off (after you unplug the computer) and look inside if the motherboard (towards the bottom) in there only has 3 Cream colored slots on it then it only supports PCI cards.

The Motherboard Model for the Dell 4500s is 4T346, this has only two PCI Slots. it does not have AGP slot or a PCI-E slot for a Sperate VGA Card. Unless you have a old PCI VGA card, you have no option of upgrading your VGA. ( assuming you have a old PCI Vga card, chanced are the onboard VGA will have more memory than the old PCI VGA card)

If this is a direct reference to the Dell Dimension 5150 Desktop computer, it is an Intel GMA950 integrated graphics chip, soldered to the motherboard.

You will see Intel at the top of the chip, and GMA950 under Intel.

This is Dell Support, and the Service Manual for the Dell Dimension 5150/E510 Desktop computer.

More specifically this is the Specifications Documentation, and the Technical Overview part of the Service Manual,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/techov1.htm#wp1058472

I referenced this page, to show you the basic components on the motherboard. Click on the sub-heading - System Board Components, in the list.

At the top of the motherboard you will see the processor sitting diagonally.

Under it you will see the Northbridge chipset, and more specifically in this crude illustration, you are looking at the heatsink which resides on the Northbridge chipset.

(Has a Z shaped clip which holds the heatsink to the Northbridge chipset. The heatsink has a 'meat cleaver' type of design)

In the area that is blank to the Left of the Battery, will be the Intel GMA950 GPU.
(GPU = Graphics Processing Unit, or graphics chip)

If you are wanting to upgrade your graphics quality, purchase a graphics card, and install it in the PCI Express x16 slot.
{In the illustration the slot is over to the Left.
PCI Express x16 connector (Slot 1)

How to know what graphics card is compatible with your computer?

1.You have a PCI Express x16 slot for a graphics card. This is the style of graphics card you need.

It is the PCI Express 1.1 version technology used. I wanted to add this in case you need it for reference.

Be aware of this! No matter what anyone tells you, you can use a PCI Express graphics card based on the PCI Express 2.0 technology, in your PCI Express 1.1 slot.

Why?
Because PCI Express 2.0 technology is Backwards Compatible with PCI Express 1.1 technology.

Backwards Compatible. Means it will recognize the PCI Express graphics card utilizing PCI-E 2.0, and will work.

2.You have a 305 Watt power supply. You need to have enough Wattage, (Power), for the computer system, and the graphics card.

I advise using an ATI Radeon graphics card. Which one? Since you have a Pentium 4 processor, 305 Watt power supply,
(With all probability a 18 Amp, 12 volt power rail),
I suggest something along the lines of an ATI Radeon HD3850.

Depends on what you expect from your graphics.

If your reference in your query above is that you believe your graphics chip may be burned out, then I definitely suggest using a graphics card.

The PCI Express x16 slot is controlled by the Northbridge chipset. Doesn't matter if your Integrated Intel GMA950 GPU is burned out, or not.

Graphic Cards work when the card and the slot types match. Common slot types for Graphics cards are PCI,  AGP, PCIe1 and PCIe16. If your NVIDA (chipset name) card is the same type as the slot on your board the answer is yes. If it fits the slot, it will work.

the adapter u are using is pci express and the dell dimension 9100 are not compatible.. try returning it for either a pci (usually the white slot) or AGP which in most cases is brown.. the AGP will be your best performance.. if return is not an option.. then it seems that a new pc is in your best interest.

First I want to mention that the Dimension 2400 is not really a pc that's made for playing games. There is no AGP or PCI-express slot on the motherboard, so you'll have to use the (slower) PCI slot.
How to put your card in your computer is explained on this page of the Dell support website.
If you need help with finding a card, just ask me.

Good Luck

from what i can see about your model you can fit a 256mb or 512mb PCI Express graphics card either nvidia or ATI as long as it's pci express, but the details only show one slot so not much room for more expansion.