How do I "scrub" an old computer with Widows XP?

[tw]

Originally Posted by IamSam

Tried that with a pair of tweezers. I'm sure I would have had better luck with pliers, but I'm fed up with that sort of painstaking tinkering - especially just for a temporary fix.

Only needle nose pliers can do that job. Available in any Sears, Lowes, Home Depot, or Tru-Value hardware store. And one tool anyone should have if using tools.

A video card can probably be obtained for $10. Used and perfectly good parts are widespread from Craig's List to eBay. Of course, that is for a Windows XP machine. Not so sure about a Widows XP machine.

It is a Dell meaning it has extremely useful utility partitions that are best not destroyed. That are far more complex to restore than many realize. Best is to not reformat that machine.

From experience, a damaged Dell is worth far more than any e-Machine. Even the Dell website will still define useful updates. e-Machines is best called zero support. Plenty of technical reasons and resulting complications behind that conclusion.

To say even more means finding and posting the Service Tag number pasted somewhere on the Dell. Not to be confused with Microsoft's license number. Necessary facts for a Dell are that easily available.

If a Dell is working, he can massively increase its viewing area with any flat screen or even a flat screen television. Even an e-Machine monitor will work. A Dell even that old is that flexible. But first discover if the Dell has other problems. Needle nose pliers are necessary and should be standard in any toolbox. In fact, I will usually use needle nose pliers for anything that others use tweezers for. A good small needle nose pliers is that useful.