Question about my new/used computer.

aimeeandbeatles · Oct 03, 2009, 09:03 AM

OK, so I got a hold of an older (Windows 98) laptop, a Toshiba, it was only $10, the woman said it was "moody" and "kept shutting down." She obviously wasn't the computer type.

Haven't taken a look at it yet, but from what I said, what do you all think it is at first?

I've thought of overheating and bad drivers, haven't tested anything yet.

Luckily for me it comes with the OEM disc, and also I got a hold of a retail version of Windows 98 (it was at the same yardsale.)

P.S. Also got a hold of an Aptiva IBM!!! Yay!!! That brings the number of computers I own up to... errr, 5.

EDIT: Upon bootup, the laptop started shaking violently and I've never heard a computer make that sound before. Almost like "whirr-whirr-taptaptap" like some motor got stuck. Suspecting the hard drive. It also asked me to insert a system disc.

ANOTHER EDIT: My mom put in a Windows 98 disc (she thinks the solution to EVERYTHING is to reinstall) only for it to say there's no hard drive!

Zelig · Oct 03, 2009, 10:11 AM

Not worth using, throw it out.

aimeeandbeatles · Oct 03, 2009, 10:56 AM

I'd like to make that judgement for myself, thank you very much.

J-man · Oct 04, 2009, 04:09 AM

sounds like the hard drive is broke. If it has usb ports you might be able to plug in an external hard drive and install a light weight linux distro.

Genocidicbunny · Oct 04, 2009, 05:03 AM

HDD's dead, mechanically dead. New HDD will cost you around 30 USD. It is unlikely that the hdd is the only problem the laptop has.
You can make all the judgements you want on your own, but hardware of that age is neither cool nor very useful. Its modern enough that its essentially the same structure as a relatively new laptop, so any of the coolness factor of having antique hardware is gone.

Do yourself, and some kid out there a favor and donate it. If only the HDD is broken, they may be able to get it in a working condition, and for someone who does not own a computer at all, it will do the basic job. Write it off on your taxes as a donation or something.

Oct 03, 2009, 09:03 AM	#1
aimeeandbeatles watermelon Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Aperture Science Laboratories Posts: 12,133 Images: 10	Question about my new/used computer. OK, so I got a hold of an older (Windows 98) laptop, a Toshiba, it was only $10, the woman said it was "moody" and "kept shutting down." She obviously wasn't the computer type. Haven't taken a look at it yet, but from what I said, what do you all think it is at first? I've thought of overheating and bad drivers, haven't tested anything yet. Luckily for me it comes with the OEM disc, and also I got a hold of a retail version of Windows 98 (it was at the same yardsale.) P.S. Also got a hold of an Aptiva IBM!!! Yay!!! That brings the number of computers I own up to... errr, 5. EDIT: Upon bootup, the laptop started shaking violently and I've never heard a computer make that sound before. Almost like "whirr-whirr-taptaptap" like some motor got stuck. Suspecting the hard drive. It also asked me to insert a system disc. ANOTHER EDIT: My mom put in a Windows 98 disc (she thinks the solution to EVERYTHING is to reinstall) only for it to say there's no hard drive! __________________ Note: I'm female. Don't forget that. \| The Petty Archives \| Let's Play: Portal 2 "When he goes to bed at night, Chuck Norris checks under his bed for aimeeandbeatles." -- choxorn Last edited by aimeeandbeatles; Oct 03, 2009 at 09:37 AM.

Oct 03, 2009, 10:11 AM	#2
Zelig DUKE OF MAGDEBURG, OF BRE Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,114	Not worth using, throw it out. __________________ Dritarja mbi mjaft pluto, përveç tokës anije rritje shortit duket na e diel drejtuar me vlerë të barabartë me shkrim oh kapur goxha objekt lejojë gravurë shfaqen të tilla humbasin ligjin e përparme me të cilën Distanca moment këndojnë thellë Feed Industrisë Malta song kopsht u bë asia vetë shpresoj dashuroj largët rrokjet takim nuk mund dhomë kënd dëgjoni javën glossary kripë shkroi qese komb ngadalë papritur ndaluar çojë formë qarë ndonjëherë të keqe mbahet trajnimi muaj qeveria prill përpjekje për të mbajtur dublin Xhamajka thotë jordan drejtpërdrejtë puthje përjetë shumë krenar duke notuar game gjuha mund të mbahet brenda makinës oksigjen rezultati vetë orësh shkencës japanese malor qaj Kuba krahas hënës ton trishtuar duhet përgatitur minuta njeriut i përkasin ulem punë tokësore të ushtrisë makinë emocionuese të ngushtë zërin tregojnë as¹

Oct 03, 2009, 10:56 AM	#3
aimeeandbeatles watermelon Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Aperture Science Laboratories Posts: 12,133 Images: 10	I'd like to make that judgement for myself, thank you very much. __________________ Note: I'm female. Don't forget that. \| The Petty Archives \| Let's Play: Portal 2 "When he goes to bed at night, Chuck Norris checks under his bed for aimeeandbeatles." -- choxorn

Oct 04, 2009, 05:03 AM	#5
Genocidicbunny Mr [10] Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In the motherland. Posts: 5,472	HDD's dead, mechanically dead. New HDD will cost you around 30 USD. It is unlikely that the hdd is the only problem the laptop has. You can make all the judgements you want on your own, but hardware of that age is neither cool nor very useful. Its modern enough that its essentially the same structure as a relatively new laptop, so any of the coolness factor of having antique hardware is gone. Do yourself, and some kid out there a favor and donate it. If only the HDD is broken, they may be able to get it in a working condition, and for someone who does not own a computer at all, it will do the basic job. Write it off on your taxes as a donation or something. __________________ Optimists learn English, Pessimists learn Chinese. Realists learn to assemble an AK-47.

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Oct 04, 2009, 04:09 AM	#4
J-man Emperor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nijmegen, the Netherlands Posts: 1,796	sounds like the hard drive is broke. If it has usb ports you might be able to plug in an external hard drive and install a light weight linux distro.

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