Refurbing an old laptop: Does anyone here know how to contact Dell?

[steve_83]

Opinions, please first.

I've got a 2003 vintage Pentium 4, single core, 1.8 gHZ Dell Inspiron 8200 loaded with software running XP professional with all the updates, a port replicator and use it as a backup 'puter and when I travel, which is rare these days.

This was a $2500 purchase at that time, so I can't really compare it to the deceptively low priced $600 models they advertise on many places that you use for awhile & toss.

1 GB ram, a livable video card, a 60 GB Hitachi Travelstar HD that's 2 years old but with several broken components.
The fans are goooooing, and the alps keypad doesn't work.
I'm threat free, but this thing is extremely slow.

Particularly since my comparison is a new build with an i7 CPU, a nvidia GTX295 video card and 12GB's of DDR3 ram......a real smoker.

Is this worth salvaging @ about the $600 range?

I talked to Dell last summer and they claimed at that time:

"The Inspiron & Latitutes built in that period were among the most refurbish-able laptops we ever made."

Second:
I've been emailing Dell and posting on the Inspiron Hardware forums with absolutely no responses what so ever .
When you call the primary toll free number, you get put on hold forever.

I must be doing something wrong, or am not DeLL worthy.


How do you contact DeLL these days about this kind of thing ??

I thought I'd toss that around here, since Dell is 100% non-responsive, to find out if there is a solution other than tossing this, all the port replicator stuff out to feeBay and kicking the price for a new smaller laptop......along the lines of a 13" screen Sony Vaio

DeLL has the checkbook open at this point.
If I make a new purchase, they're last on the list.

I can't understand their thinking.

Thoughts from this community are much appreciated, and valued as always.

Steve_83

(yes...I would consider upgrading to Windows 7 when/if they even had it)

[Steve R Jones]

Is there a question in there somewhere?

If you're asking - should you spend $600 to upgrade a lappy that is only worth $100 then -> NO - not no but heck no.

You've seen what $600 brand new will get you and you know it'd be a superior machine.

[jmtjet]

I've been refurbing a Dell Latitude C600 lappy myself and I've found that: Dell does not support the older models anymore and most of the parts you need you can get cheap. example;eBay: motherboard=$19.00 USD, cover hinges=$13.00,etc. The most money I've spent so far is for the hard drive, a Hitachi 60 GB ide for $40.00 (new,including shipping) and for an operating system I installed Ubuntu Linux version 9.10. It's running smoothly so far. I still want to replace the CD-ROM drive with a CR-RW drive for about $25.00 bucks. I got it with a wireless card that was not compatible with Linux so I've ordered a D-Link card for $14.00. It's been fun so far.

[steve_83]

Is there a question in there somewhere?

Yes and I think you answered that sufficiently Steve.
That's what I was looking for 1st.
You too jmtjet.

Thanks gentlemen.

I don't have the tool-a-logical skills or patience to work on a laptop, and neither does anyone I trust near where I live.
The last "incident" was when a (dubious. albeit) IT buddy added some ram and stripped the spring loaded screws.

AARgh!


If anyone else cares to chime in...I'll leave this open for awhile.
That OK Steve?

That's why I put this dilemma in the doctor's lounge.
It's not critical, I just can't seem to accept that these (what were) $3000 pieces of electronics are worthle-$$ after the 1/2 life of a car, boat or house, etc.

Thanks for the cruel honest brutal reality of older comfusers I guess.



I'll find it interesting once I format the bejeeebers out of this & put it on feeBay.

Any opinions on newer laptops other that the Sony models are well appreciated too.

I don't necessarily want a 15" er, but I am in love with my i7 processor.

Steve_83

So.........

[Train]

Do not format as it leaves everything on the hdd, DBAN it http://www.dban.org/
and bury everything. The default is 3 passes which does pretty good. 10 maybe better yet

[steve_83]

W 0 W !

2) VDR SuperStars............

I am: humbled.
Not Humiliated like on other forums.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yep, I realize a plain jane format is kinda useless Train.

The last time I sold anything hard drivish there is had been government wiped.

An appropriate topic at tax time.

Glad the market is recovering here.
I'll take all of 2009 YTD Return: 34.45% (finally), that I can get.

Remove that d'heLL image if it's not appropriate fellows.
I got to thinking we do have kids lurking even in the doctor's lounge here.

If offense, I apologize.

I'll still digest all the advice I can get: if it comes from vdr people.

Not saying I do, because of pending medical expenses but if you had $1.5 to 2K, what would you buy in a notebook that might last longer than several years, or would it be better to buy a cheap desktop for a back-up and one of these dang throw-away $600-800 laptops?

Steve_83

[steve_83]

Thanks for the help fellow Drs.

Feel free to clean up the junk.

See you around the lounge:



Steve_83