can you rebuild an IBM laptop, bit by bit?

[CathyE]

I mean as one thing goes, replace it until the next thing goes!

Or are laptops totally different from standard tower type computers!

I have quite a lot of software on my laptop that came with it legitimately since I bought the one my son leased from college. So I'd like to keep this one running as long as possible.

Are IBM parts or IBM-compatible parts hard to find, especially for a 5 YO laptop?

Mine is a Notebook type 2681.

Cathy

[annie]

there will be people here who can do it. there are people in the world who can do anything to a computer and make it work.

i am not one of them.

however, some of the things that the others will need to know is what brand name your laptop is, what operating system it has, what the date is on the operating system, and they will want a list of what components are on it. one of them will talk you through that.

legitimate software is very complicated. buying the computer does not make the software on it legitimate. do you have papers registering the programs to you personally? frequently the software license only gives the right to use it, the license does not give the right to sell it to someone else.

the odds are that programs five years old are no longer under license, but you never know. you might want to research this a little further before you start investing in hardware.

[radarbob]

I've owned laptops since 1999 and my experience is it's labor intensive to crack the case and get at components, so just to open the thing up and replace a cheap component can easily exceed $200. I recently had an AC adapter plug replaced and it cost over $300. Over half of that was labor to open and close the case.

I've owned my laptops on average 7 years and you clearly get to the point where you cannot run the latest version(s) of various software. However the machine still does well with the software it came with so is that good enough? For me yes, which is why I keep my laptops so long. You'll have to decide at what point technology has progressed so much that you simply get a new(er) computer - but upgrading a laptop is not practical.

Your best bet for maximizing the service life:
Maximize the memory. This is the absolute best bang for the buck you can do.

Don't lust after the latest and greatest software. Learn to accept what you have and realize that some point your hardware will run that next newer version of software and operating system (like Vista) poorly or not at all. But then you don't need the latest version of MS word running on Vista just to type a letter!

[annie]

excellent advice. you are going to be a great asset here.

i am still using a DOS database copyright 1992. it does everything i want to do and a million things more. was written for libraries. it was once extremely expensive. eventually the earliest version was released as freeware, so i don't need to worry about license.

thought that it wasn't going to run on XP, but it works just fine. who knows what will happen on vista, but i may not ever get to that so i am not going to think about it.

[CathyE]

Thanks Annie & Radarbob!

I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed that this laptop keeps running a few more years!

Since I don't use a lot of what's on it from my son's college days, I don't have to worry about those programs.

But there are a few programs (like Photoshop Elements and Word) I really want to keep. Is Windows Media Player still free? I plan to teach myself it, then my husband, who just retired early :) how to use it. I'd be doing it now, but I have another project keeping me busy!

[clouds z]

you might be able to put the hard drive in an external case and run it on any computer

[mcfox]

Yes, you can keep a laptop running by replacing parts... but only for a time. Eventually, the component / repair costs will prove to be greater than simply buying a new one.

Frankly, it is probably best to plan ahead and consider the cost of purchasing a new one when the time comes. When that time is will depend on how long the old one runs for without any problems and the cost of replacing any parts that may go wrong. That could of course, be years! :) (Or it could be tomorrow :()

It's often impossible for many people but if you can afford it, it may be worth buying a second laptop - i.e. a new one, and using it alongside the existing one. Why? Well, for one thing, it builds redundancy into your home set up. By that I mean should anything go wrong with one computer there is always another to use for accessing internet, the paperwork (using backups), whatever. It also gives you time to migrate to a new system without having to learn everything all at once just to get to where you are now with your present set up.

Software
Pre-installed software bundles are always attractive but it does have a major disadvantage in that it usually proves difficult, if not impossible, to migrate them to a new computer. (It's also used as a 'sales device' to persuade people to pay more than they would do otherwise for the same computer spec.)

So, what's the alternative, software-wise?
Well, if you were to buy an off-the-shelf copy it can be installed on any computer you own - most of the software you can buy off-the-shelf gives a license allowing it to be installed on up to three home computers. Should you ever upgrade or change computers it can be easily installed.

Then of course, there's the free software available.

You mention Microsoft Word - did you know there's a free alternative to the Microsoft Office Suite called "Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/)" (link to wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice.org) - gives the history of its development, who's involved, etc.)? It can handle any document format and if you need it, export them in any format you desire, including .doc (default Word format) and .pdf. I use it myself and find it to be just as good as Word (which I also have). Big download mind you (127 Mb) so if you are on a slow internet connection that may prove prohibitive in downloading it yourself although a friend or a friendly local computer shop or library might be the answer there. It's not as 'pretty' as Microsoft, imo, but just as functional.

For images, there's always Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/), the free, highly-praised, open source image software.

In Summary
So in summary then - you can keep a laptop running by replacing parts if they break down. Should the Hard Drive go then chances are you will lose any preinstalled software. Eventually the repair costs will mean it is more economical to buy a replacement than fix it.

There are free alternatives to most of the 'name' software.

[Matt A]

My son just bought a brand new Dell 1.8ghz laptop for $400.00(usd)!!!:eek:

We gave him our old HP 1.8ghz laptop when we upgraded to 3ghz dual-core machines. It cost us almost $2000.00(usd) when WE bought it only a few years ago when the first 1.8s hit the streets. The hard drive fried on him.(That seems to happen a lot to him.) I went out to the graveyard to grab another laptop hard drive to throw in it. None of them would fit, the pin configurations were all different.:mad: First time I've ever run into THAT situation. Now I have an ALMOST whole HP 1.8 laptop in the graveyard and junior has a shiny new Dell laptop.

For less than the price of a new hard drive he got a whole new laptop, same specs different brand name. He already had everything backed up on a 300gig external so lost nothing.

Computers age in dog years. Every year a computer exists is like 7 years of real time. A brand new top-of-the-line best ever made computer will be pushing 30 years old (technology-wise) after only 4 years. Example: We bought our dual-core computers(similar to 2 computers working together in one machine) almost the day they appeared locally. Less than a year later quad-core machines were on the market, ours were no longer the best out there.:(

[CathyE]

I just spotted your new replies! Thanks for the common sense info!

I can get my old laptop to function a little bit, so hopefully I will be able to capture everything I want to move to my "new" laptop - a "hand me down" from our son!

[southie]

Here's additional information if this is of any help to
anyone:

Consider going to the Major Company's website,
that is, their home page - for example, Compaq.com;
and then hit up on the discontinued/refurbished.

Then hit up on the refurbished computers or laptop
(notebooks)...

WHY?

Because the US Government Regulations / FCC are
extremely rigid on refurbished electronics (this includes
computers!) - and they cannot be resold for retail
price, even if they've been recalled!

Now before you get all nervous; consider this - these
computers, parts, etc - have to meet and exceed the
US Government Regulations / FCC and even the Under-
writers Laboratories regulations, and plus, they have
to provide extended warranties because of the recall
and because they've been refurbished - and due to the
fact they have had more work done to them - extra
care and inspection are exceeded beyond the normalcy
than what is purchased in the store or elsewhere and
have prolonged lifespans, and above all things - CHEAP!
CHEAP! CHEAP!

Where else can you buy a nearly $4k laptop and steal
it for less than $900? And blow it off in front of all your
friends with this "super duper hot stuff" and plus additional
features that will make their mouths drool and slobber
where they want to "use it"?

But of course you did not read this post from me, I did
not post this post ... nope, Uh Uh - you never saw this!
:rolleyes:

I've been buying parts and supplies, even my appliances
(major) in my house are refurbished or discontinued. I'm
cheap, after all - why waste money? *grins*

Handy for Christmas Shopping too ...

BUT ONE WORD OF WARNING about these refurbished
computers, parts, laptops/notebooks, attachments,
accessories, etc --- ACT FAST! Once you see it, in 1 hour
it can all be gone! It's true, that's how fast they can sell
out, depending on how many the Company/Corporation
has in stock. So it helps to keep your eyes peeled and
watch and lurk ... and they do drop those prices down
to move the stock, and once it hits to that range, ACT!

I can assure you my neighbors on my street are happy
campers; because that's all they now buy is refurbished
items now! *laughing*

Just about a week and half ago my next door neighbor
bought an executive chair (100% Italian Leather) that
was refurbished, for an insane price of $350 with $10
S&H ... *laughing* and that thing goes for $9k! (And
oh, no one in his family can sit in his chair by the way!)
And now he just bought an executive desk, his wife just
told me, singing to the tune of $1295.00, discontinued,
that matches with his chair - it's supposed to arrive
next week... and their 2 kids are fighting over who's
getting their dad's old computer office desk right now,
and they just found out that neither one of them are
getting it, their Uncle is! (Trust me, they are MAD!
*laughing* They have their own computer desks!)
{Their Dad and Uncle owns businesses, and often
works together sometimes in big contracts and they've
been around for years.} As for the desk? Solid Maple,
original retail price of $14,500.00 - discontinued, priced
to move out of the warehouse to make room for new
inventories! Now that is a bargain!

My wireless that I have right now, that's on the modernized
glass and steel and wood (artwork decor type) was given
to me by my neighbor's daughter across the street because
she's in University now, and she bought this (discontinued)
for $30 online with free S&H, and it's 3 years old but looks
brand new. She has no room for it and didn't want it any
more and her brothers are heading off to College/University
and they don't want it... and the original retail price of this
was $799.99! Didn't cost me anything except carrying it
over here. *laughing*

:)


Check out the site's credibility
Check the BBB emblem if there is one and do not hesitate to check the validity of the business reputation
Browse around and see what customers remarks / reports have to say
Look for the popular Veri-sign / Comodore / Secure-sign Checkouts, and if in doubt, many offer 24/7/365 - 800/866/877 (toll free numbers) for you to phone and you can ask tons of questions; SOME even offer Live Support - USE IT! Question them to death if you want! They understand. Many offer opportunities to order over the phone if you do not feel secured online ordering, but they will keep you posted via email so you can monitor your tracking of shipments, account info, etc.
It pays to do your homework! Don't be afraid to ask others who have bought online about some good sites to buy from, you just might be in for a real treat and saving your wallet!
It's normal to be nervous at first, but sticking with those you know and have rapport with, you gain additional discounts (deep) and more bargains and goodies and advance privileges before the others have opportunities to snatch it!



I hope this information helps a lot. It's saved me much money in the long run, and I've never once had any bad experiences ever, and it's not all about eBay and Amazon either... there's a lot of surprises out there around the corner that people didn't realize it!


Sharon
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa131/headstorms/eflogo4sm.gif (http://epilepsyfoundation.org)

"Vuj* dé - the feeling you've
never been in here before!"

[Lavandula Canadensis]

southie,

thanks a lot for these tips on bargains... :)

mcfox,

after i purchased my computer, in feb. 2008, with windows xp media centre edition, and ms office professional suite 2007, i heard about open office... so i downloaded it all... i haven't had a chance to use it yet... i find it ressembles a lot to the previous version of ms office suite...

i'm planning on downloading gimp... i'll let you know how it goes when i use it... thanks for sharing :)