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

[tw]

Originally Posted by IamSam

I've worked on that old computer before (friend one is so clueless, he calls me up for every little thing in regard to his computer), and the monitor hook-up on the tower was just fine.

The video connector is usually soldered to the motherboard. Its not an easy job.

However with needle nose pliers, male pins can be straightened. Without a guard, the video plug can be carefully mated to those pins. That will get temporarily access to the computer.

From the sound of damage, best is a new video card purchased - that is compatible with the motherboard video PCI slot. More could be said if the computer vendor and model was defined.

[IamSam]

Originally Posted by tw

The video connector is usually soldered to the motherboard. Its not an easy job.

Lovely. That's what I figured.

However with needle nose pliers, male pins can be straightened. Without a guard, the video plug can be carefully mated to those pins. That will get temporarily access to the computer.

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.

From the sound of damage, best is a new video card purchased - that is compatible with the motherboard video PCI slot. More could be said if the computer vendor and model was defined.

I sent that @#%$ computer back home with friend one. All I know is that it's a Dell, and it appears to be a machine that came out about 7 to 8 years ago. Friend one is a skinflint and he won't cough up the money for a new video card unless the cost is 10 bucks or less.

xoxoxoBruce Tell them to buy a USB monitor and then you'll continue. Till then, fuck it.

See above. The monitor he has is a piece of shit to begin with. It's some ridiculous thing which is an amazing 12 inches across (diagonal). Every time I got called over to his place to resolve his latest difficulty, I used to tell him he could get a new monitor that would actually allow him to see what's he doing for cheap at Wally World. But no, he has to spend every last penny he has on pot.

The only reason he has a new system (plus a new laptop, if you please) is that he talked voc rehab into buying them for him.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have an old e-machine that also has a Windows XP operating platform. I also have an old monitor which is big enough to see stuff on without a magnifying glass. If I can get that e-machine running again, I'm just going to present it to friend two as a gift.

My old e-machine has a virus, so I'm going to have to reformat the hard drive and reload windows on it, as well. But at least I won't have to replace the video card or the joker card or anything else of that nature.

[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.

[IamSam]

Hey, I hear you about pliers and just tools, in general. Once upon a time I had a tool box containing needle nosed pliers and a host of other useful tools. Unfortunately, I had an aquaintance help me do a few small repairs around my apartment some time back. At the end of the day, he tossed almost all my tools into his own tool box without me knowing it, and then he drove off. I haven't seen him or my tools since.

Friend one has some needle nosed pliers for sure. I'll pass along your advise re straightening the pins, and if he's willing to do that, I'm willing to plug in a monitor and see what's what on his Dell. I strongly suspect he'll whine and cry about doing ANYTHING with his computer all by his little self, even something as simple as that. If he doesn't care enough about it to even straighten the pins, I certainly don't care to do all the work of putting in a video card, getting a manufacture's copy of XP, etc.

So, in your opinion (or that of anyone else who may be reading this) is it worth my time to try to get my old e-machine running again?

[tw]

Originally Posted by IamSam

At the end of the day, he tossed almost all my tools into his own tool box without me knowing it, and then he drove off.

Sounds more like a thief than a friend. Meanwhile, I use many colors of nail polish. All tools (and other important implements) are color coded.

Same applies to USB cables. To not connect upside down. Each USB cable is clearly color dotted on its 'up side' using a dot of nail polish.

Fixing the Dell is strongly recommended. e-Machines (like Gateway) are best as boat anchors. Difference is that significant.

[IamSam]

Originally Posted by tw

Sounds more like a thief than a friend. Meanwhile, I use many colors of nail polish. All tools (and other important implements) are color coded.

Same applies to USB cables. To not connect upside down. Each USB cable is clearly color dotted on its 'up side' using a dot of nail polish.

Fixing the Dell is strongly recommended. e-Machines (like Gateway) are best as boat anchors. Difference is that significant.

Heh! Maybe I can use my e-machine as a flower planter. If that Dell belonged to me, I'd take your advise and give repairing it a shot. However, I already feel like friend one's (n-word). I'll have to think about if I want to do a parts replacement in addition to everything else.

Thanks for your input, regardless!