Old Dell Laptop

Jeff Corey · 31st August 2003, 11:52 PM

I have an old Dell Laptop model PPS that I use for WordPad only.
All of a sudden, the screen doesn't come up, even thought the green power LED comes on.
Any suggestions?

Underemployed · 1st September 2003, 01:53 AM

End its torment.

davidhorman · 1st September 2003, 01:57 AM

If the screen itself isn't broken - which would be very bad and probably not fixable or replaceable - could it be the little switch that turns the screen off when you close the lid? There is usually a little stick on the keyboard half, near the hinge, connected to a switch inside.

David

Soapy Sam · 1st September 2003, 03:56 AM

Can it be connected to a second monitor?

a_unique_person · 1st September 2003, 04:02 AM

Use a piece of paper and a pen.

Zep · 1st September 2003, 04:32 AM

Having been involved in ancient laptops in our computer museum, let me just state the Law of Diminishing Returns here:

If it costs you less to buy a replacement from eBay than to fix it...

A quick Google scan shows Dell 133 PPS laptops going for about USD$40. What's your time worth to fix this machine? Can you get the data you want off it by some nefarious means without too much effort? Are you NOT REALLY that personally attached to the unit?

If yes to these questions, do that, buy a new(er) one, and then give the busted one to some laptop shop as strip-down spare parts or something. If you are REALLY stingy, strip out anything useful before you give it away.

And remember, once it's busted and superseded, you will NEVER turn it on again so don't bother hoarding it "just in case". Dispose of thoughtfully.

Soapy Sam · 2nd September 2003, 11:14 AM

101 uses for a dead laptop.

1. Rip the hard disc out, for the magnets. Use them to soften water, increase gas mileage, improve your sex life and fast format floppies.

2. The gutted laptop makes a good sandwich box.
3. You can superglue it to the sidewalk outside your office, then video the idiots...
4. Carry it under your arm. Bump into someone in the corridor. Drop computer , then scream and say "The entire company payroll / annual audit was on there!"
5. Fill with cement. Use as paperweight.

usw...

The Central Scrutinizer · 4th September 2003, 05:49 PM

Sometimes charities will accept old computers and attempt to fix them. Or they will dispose of them for you, if they can't be fixed. Makes a nice tax deduction.

31st August 2003, 11:52 PM	#1
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 13,794	Old Dell Laptop I have an old Dell Laptop model PPS that I use for WordPad only. All of a sudden, the screen doesn't come up, even thought the green power LED comes on. Any suggestions?

1st September 2003, 01:53 AM	#2
Underemployed Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 764	End its torment.
Underemployed Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 764	__________________ There is no punchy, conclusive final sentence for this post.

1st September 2003, 01:57 AM	#3
davidhorman Muse Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 984	If the screen itself isn't broken - which would be very bad and probably not fixable or replaceable - could it be the little switch that turns the screen off when you close the lid? There is usually a little stick on the keyboard half, near the hinge, connected to a switch inside. David
davidhorman Muse Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 984

1st September 2003, 03:56 AM	#4
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Can it be connected to a second monitor?
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

1st September 2003, 04:02 AM	#5
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mt Disappointment Posts: 33,327	Use a piece of paper and a pen.
	__________________ *Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity.* Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. For if a man pretend to me that God hath spoken to him supernaturally, and immediately, and I make doubt of it, I cannot easily perceive what argument he can produce to oblige me to believe it. Hobbes

1st September 2003, 04:32 AM	#6
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	Having been involved in ancient laptops in our computer museum, let me just state the Law of Diminishing Returns here: If it costs you less to buy a replacement from eBay than to fix it... A quick Google scan shows Dell 133 PPS laptops going for about USD$40. What's your time worth to fix this machine? Can you get the data you want off it by some nefarious means without too much effort? Are you NOT REALLY that personally attached to the unit? If yes to these questions, do that, buy a new(er) one, and then give the busted one to some laptop shop as strip-down spare parts or something. If you are REALLY stingy, strip out anything useful before you give it away. And remember, once it's busted and superseded, you will NEVER turn it on again so don't bother hoarding it "just in case". Dispose of thoughtfully.
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

2nd September 2003, 11:14 AM	#7
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	101 uses for a dead laptop. 1. Rip the hard disc out, for the magnets. Use them to soften water, increase gas mileage, improve your sex life and fast format floppies. 2. The gutted laptop makes a good sandwich box. 3. You can superglue it to the sidewalk outside your office, then video the idiots... 4. Carry it under your arm. Bump into someone in the corridor. Drop computer , then scream and say "The entire company payroll / annual audit was on there!" 5. Fill with cement. Use as paperweight. usw...
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

4th September 2003, 05:49 PM	#8
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,277	Sometimes charities will accept old computers and attempt to fix them. Or they will dispose of them for you, if they can't be fixed. Makes a nice tax deduction.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.