Can I rebuild my laptop?

stella150 · 01-17-2007, 11:29 AM

I'm a huge environmentalist. I hate to throw things out. I also have an old Dell computer (runs on windows NT). I would like to rebuild it so that it is on xp and use a wifi card so that my aupair and daughter can use it for the internet or simple wordprocessing.
Can someone help me figure out how to do this?
thanks
Donna
PS-Feel free to email me personally also.

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Bofinn · 01-17-2007, 12:39 PM

How about some details on the current hardware? type/model, how much memory, etc...

rjs735 · 01-17-2007, 04:05 PM

My guess is you have either a Inspiron 7000 or 7500. Upgrading the memory to the max should help you. As far as replacing the cpu I can't remember off the top of my head but I'll take a look. I have an old 7500 in my garage from a fire that I scavenged some parts.

For wireless you will have to add a pcmcia card.

Simple word processing you can download Open office 2.1 it's fullblown free office product. Open source windows friendly.

stella150 · 01-17-2007, 05:46 PM

It;s a Dell CPi laptop, runs on Windows NT, not sure of processor or speed. We're talking at least 6 years old. I can check other specs when I get home from work late tonight.

I figured I would need to use the pcmcia card for wifi, which I think if I remember correctly it has a slot for.

My main concern is what I would need to get to rebuild it. This is the first time I'm doing this, so I'm learning as I go. Any help is mucho appreciated!
thank you sooo much already.
warmest regards

rjs735 · 01-17-2007, 07:02 PM

Just so you know a laptop is not the easiest type of system to work on especially the older ones like yours.

There is point of ROI ( return on your investment ) beyond which it makes more sense to invest in a $500 new system.

I will almost guarantee that the CPU is not upgradeable so all your left with is a small hard drive ( which maybe upgradeable) memory , plus a pcmcia slot for the WIFI card. No USB connection capability. No audio or Video features. If you leave NT on there no game playing.

As a learning experience for a child may become frustrating.

Go to your local Best Buy , CompUSA , Sams, Costco or check out Dell online Gateway etc they all have entry level systems which will perform better and long run be less expensive and less frustrating.

If you had more experience and not being the first project you tackle I would say go ahead but as it stands I would opt for a new entry level system.

They are faster better more reliable and can be upgraded you laptop has seen it better days.

S.SubZero · 01-17-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stella150

I'm a huge environmentalist.

Dell and the Environment

SpeedDMN · 01-17-2007, 10:36 PM

I agree with rjs735. Used to be you could save money with building your own, but for an entry level system you can do better with a new Dell etc. and you get a warranty. Plenty to choose from, however, I am not much of a Gateway fan. Memory for old PC's can actually be more expensive then present day memory since they don't make it anymore. Some PC100 memory for my old dell laptop cost me about $100 for one stick of 256mb for example.

Bofinn · 01-18-2007, 09:31 AM

with all the above...

01-17-2007, 11:29 AM	#1
stella150 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	Can I rebuild my laptop? I'm a huge environmentalist. I hate to throw things out. I also have an old Dell computer (runs on windows NT). I would like to rebuild it so that it is on xp and use a wifi card so that my aupair and daughter can use it for the internet or simple wordprocessing. Can someone help me figure out how to do this? thanks Donna PS-Feel free to email me personally also.
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01-17-2007, 12:39 PM	#2
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,085	How about some details on the current hardware? type/model, how much memory, etc... __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. When in doubt, smack it!
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01-17-2007, 04:05 PM	#3
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,032	My guess is you have either a Inspiron 7000 or 7500. Upgrading the memory to the max should help you. As far as replacing the cpu I can't remember off the top of my head but I'll take a look. I have an old 7500 in my garage from a fire that I scavenged some parts. For wireless you will have to add a pcmcia card. Simple word processing you can download Open office 2.1 it's fullblown free office product. Open source windows friendly. __________________ Giga ga-ep45-ud3p 2.8 E8400 4mb Ram WDC 500Gb XP pro Win7 32 Win7 64 Virtualpc Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless Dlink DNS-323 1TB NAS
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01-17-2007, 05:46 PM	#4
stella150 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2	oops sorry It;s a Dell CPi laptop, runs on Windows NT, not sure of processor or speed. We're talking at least 6 years old. I can check other specs when I get home from work late tonight. I figured I would need to use the pcmcia card for wifi, which I think if I remember correctly it has a slot for. My main concern is what I would need to get to rebuild it. This is the first time I'm doing this, so I'm learning as I go. Any help is mucho appreciated! thank you sooo much already. warmest regards
(Offline)

01-17-2007, 07:02 PM	#5
rjs735 Virus? What I am not sick Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,032	Just so you know a laptop is not the easiest type of system to work on especially the older ones like yours. There is point of ROI ( return on your investment ) beyond which it makes more sense to invest in a $500 new system. I will almost guarantee that the CPU is not upgradeable so all your left with is a small hard drive ( which maybe upgradeable) memory , plus a pcmcia slot for the WIFI card. No USB connection capability. No audio or Video features. If you leave NT on there no game playing. As a learning experience for a child may become frustrating. Go to your local Best Buy , CompUSA , Sams, Costco or check out Dell online Gateway etc they all have entry level systems which will perform better and long run be less expensive and less frustrating. If you had more experience and not being the first project you tackle I would say go ahead but as it stands I would opt for a new entry level system. They are faster better more reliable and can be upgraded you laptop has seen it better days. __________________ Giga ga-ep45-ud3p 2.8 E8400 4mb Ram WDC 500Gb XP pro Win7 32 Win7 64 Virtualpc Asus P4S8x 2.0 Ghz Celeron Ram 512MB WDC 80GB HD SATA WDC 80GB SATA Memorex DUAL DVD/RW Win98SE/XP pro Asus P2b-F Cel 450 Ram 256MB W98 SE Optorite CDRW WD 40GB Asrock P4combo P4 346 Xp Pro Sp 3 SATA HD SATA DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 XP Media SP2 Sata HD Sata DVD/RW Foxconn 925EX 550 Xp SP2 Asrock 775Dual 550 Xp pro SP2 IBM T23 1.3hz RAM 512MB XP pro SP2 All systems are networked Konica Minolta Color Laser Samsung clp-315 Color laser Dlink 655 Dlink G650 Wireless Dlink DNS-323 1TB NAS
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01-17-2007, 10:36 PM	#7
SpeedDMN Silicon Avatar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 3,515	I agree with rjs735. Used to be you could save money with building your own, but for an entry level system you can do better with a new Dell etc. and you get a warranty. Plenty to choose from, however, I am not much of a Gateway fan. Memory for old PC's can actually be more expensive then present day memory since they don't make it anymore. Some PC100 memory for my old dell laptop cost me about $100 for one stick of 256mb for example. __________________ Core i7 2600k (Sandybridge) @ 5.0g/ Corsair H-100 liquid CPU cooling / Asus P8Z68 Deluxe Radeon HD R6850 MSI Cyclone X2 Xfire stock / Windows 7 Ultimate x64 / Realtec onboard sound Corsair Vengeance 4 x 2g DDR3 @ 1600MHz / Corsair TX850 PSU / LG bluray player + burner/ OCZ Vertex 3 SSD 120g (system) + 450g WD velociraptor, Seagate 1.5t (storage)
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01-18-2007, 09:31 AM	#8
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,085	with all the above... __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. When in doubt, smack it!
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