given some old computers

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manuba
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given some old computers

Post by manuba » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:37 pm

First off I don't care if the computers I am given are obsolete and ancient they are free and a great way for a non-computer savoy person to learn from

I was given a dell insperon 1000 and a dell dimension 4100 desk top. The laptop gets stuck at the system boot screen but turns on, and the desktop needs a new vid card from what I can figure because it boots but the monitor stays black. I know the monitor works I've used it for other computers, but the 4100 makes no fail bleeps so all I can figure out is new vid card.........

Any ideas??????????????

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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:49 pm

maybe this card for the desktop?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... sa=title#p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know how to find out what cards it can use though

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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:59 pm

dell dimension 4100: Ok so now the vid card is working after some tinkering and it boots to a screen that says XP home or XP setup but no press f1 for setup etc... but every time i press enter on either option it gives me a "setup detecting hardware configuration" and continuously fail bleeps

How do I blank the system so I can install XP or what not?

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Re: given some old computers

Post by bicostp » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:46 pm

Get an XP install disc, and it will let you blow away the hard drive and make a fresh partition.

If you're feeling nosy, get some kind of live CD boot disc and see if there's anything fun left on them.

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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:43 pm

I have a fresh unused Xp service pack2 boxed disc, but nothing happens when it is in my drive. I just get a constant beep after I select xp setup

a "setup detecting hardware configuration" and continuously fail bleeps

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Re: given some old computers

Post by Joes2Silly » Sat Dec 05, 2009 4:27 pm

bicostp wrote:Get an XP install disc, and it will let you blow away the hard drive and make a fresh partition.

If you're feeling nosy, get some kind of live CD boot disc and see if there's anything fun left on them.
This is always fun! I'm not suggesting that you steal their social security number or credit card information (or possibly their porn collection either), but it is always cool diggin through other people's stuff!
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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:54 am

I don't care what's on the old drive I just want to get the computer up and running. My wife is addicted to those stupid facebook games so now I can't get on my computer to play fallout 3 when I want to.

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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:29 pm

Ok, so after far too much tinkering with cards, slots, connectors, pins and batteries(CMOS), it needs a new fan since the one it has doesn't run and a new power supply 'cause the fan in that has burned out (computer was full of dust and the fans were clogged up so now they won't start) I have the dell dimension 4100 up and running with a fresh xp sp2 install.. The retard who gave it to me said it had an Ethernet card in it..............Well guess what? I finally took a look at the net card and IT'S A DIAL UP CARD :evil: :evil: :evil: .....


I also have a dell insperon notebook that freezes after booting the ram, bios, sometimes video bios doesn't boot.. Any Ideas???

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Re: given some old computers

Post by chainfire95 » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:23 pm

manuba wrote:I don't care what's on the old drive I just want to get the computer up and running. My wife is addicted to those stupid facebook games so now I can't get on my computer to play fallout 3 when I want to.
Don't diss farmville! ;)
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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:57 pm

chainfire95 wrote: Don't diss farmville! ;)
Farmville and Cafeworld VS Fallout 3...............Dude...........No................No.................NO! :lol:

Oh, also I'm looking for an Ethernet card if anyone can part with a free one. :P

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Re: given some old computers

Post by vskid » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:42 pm

I think I have a couple old ethernet cards. You'll have to pay shipping though. :P
manuba wrote:I also have a dell insperon notebook that freezes after booting the ram, bios, sometimes video bios doesn't boot.. Any Ideas???
How new is it/what are the specs/specific model number?
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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:49 pm

vskid wrote:I think I have a couple old ethernet cards. You'll have to pay shipping though. :P
That's cool. where from? oh if I could read...Where in Utah?
vskid wrote:How new is it/what are the specs/specific model number?
Insperon 1000 Age: unknown
intel celeron
dvd drive
windows xp
casset player connection- wow maybe old as hell

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Re: given some old computers

Post by vskid » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:31 pm

manuba wrote:Where in Utah?
Just south of Ogden.
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Re: given some old computers

Post by manuba » Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:21 pm

would a slow dvd drive make audio run slow (sounds like an old tape player with really low batteries) video and audio are still in sync and the video plays at full speed but all audio is in low tones

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Re: given some old computers

Post by marshallh » Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:54 pm

Sounds like an audio driver issue.
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