Help me decide - computer related..

[C.Ann]

Okay - the computer I have up to the lake is ancient.. I'd like to bring this one up there (which is just a step "up" from ancient).. This one is an IBM Personal Computer 300L with MS98 Second Edition, a Pentium II processor, 64 MB RAM and a broken floppy disk drive.. However, this one is compatible with the super nice printer I have, it's compatible with my scanner, and I can hook my digital camera to it to load photos onto the computer.. This would be a great system for up to the lake because it would be left there year-round, but I would probably want to brng the printer and scanner back down here when I come back in late October/early November..

So - my questions are: What can be done to modify this computer to make it a little better? And can the floppy disk drive be repaired or replaced?

Also, if I bring this one up to the lake I'll need to buy another one for down here and I can't decide on what I want.. In a way I want a lap top (especially for traveling) but I'm not too crazy about the smaller keyboard, the finger mouse thingy, and I don't know if the printer I have (HP Desk Jet 932C) or the scanner (Visioneer One Touch 8100) would be compatible with a lap top.. I'm almost tempted to buy a used one just to see if I could get used to it and if not, then buy a brand new desk top for here at home.. I really would like something that I can burn CD's on, transfer photos, download music to CD's, etc..

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[FullStride]

Here's an idea. It's a new computer for women. Notice that it comes complete with a blow dryer and everything. You could probably travel with it too but a laptop might be a better option for that.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Investing money to rehab a very old PC is money wasted, IMO. I would buy a low cost laptop, Dell, HP, or similar, many good prices out there. Get a keyboard and a mouse to plug in to the laptop.


http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=iRep1303&s=bsd

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I'm with Dan on this one.

I wouldn't put any more money into that machine. However, if you can change out a floppy drive on your own, you could put a new one in for under $25.

Having said that, who would want to pay $25 for a floppy drive if they had a USB port on their computer? You can store 100x more information on a flash drive for the same money.

If you just NEED the floppy for old programs you're trying to run at the lake, go for it. Otherwise, leave it the way it is. If you don't have enough USB ports, you can buy a USB port expander for $10 or so. That's what we did with our oldest machine.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

Printer and scanner compatibility should not be a problem - those models are not that old. But you will want to check to see if your printer connects with a USB cable or parallel cable (big wide connector at the end). Some printers have both, some only have one. Most laptops now only have USB ports.

As for the keyboard/mouse issue - laptop keyboards have become pretty usable and the touchpads aren't bad. But you can always buy a USB keyboard and USB mouse (and with all these USB things, you'll need a USB hub for more connectors). The USB keyboad and mouse will give you a "real" keyboard and mouse at your desk.

Some laptops also have "docking stations", so you don't have to keep unplugging these things. You plug the external keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. into the docking station. Then you "dock" your laptop on it and you have access to all of those devices, but when you travel you just "undock" it and use just the laptop.

 

[C.Ann]

Having said that, who would want to pay $25 for a floppy drive if they had a USB port on their computer? You can store 100x more information on a flash drive for the same money.

If you just NEED the floppy for old programs you're trying to run at the lake, go for it. Otherwise, leave it the way it is. If you don't have enough USB ports, you can buy a USB port expander for $10 or so. That's what we did with our oldest machine.

------------------------

I don't have a CLUE what you're talking about here - LOL.. I am NOT computer literate at all.. The only thing wrong with this desk top is that I need a little more memory and I need the floppy drive to work because I have hundreds of photos from our trip to Disney World in 2001 on them.. This computer is really good for all of the clip art programs I have that were designed for Windows95 and 98SE (at least 20 different clip art/graphics programs) and I don't know if those programs would run on a brand new lap top..I want to bring this system up to the lake because I'll be using the clip art programs, scanner, printer, etc., for the scrapbooks I'll be working on..

That would leave me with no computer when I come back down here from time to time though and that's where the laptop (or new desk model) would be needed (or when I go to Florida next year)..

And Dan - I wouldn't have a CLUE how to "build" the computer I want.. I just use them - don't know anything else about them..

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

C. Ann, girlfriend...don't sweat it!

A USB port is a type of plug that is flat, rectangular-shaped, and is commonly used for attaching things like mice, printers, and all your photographic equipment into your computer.

A flash drive, photo'd here

is kindof like a floppy disk, only the one pictured here is $20 and holds the equivalent of 204 floppy disks. This one actually shows the USB plug on the end. Its size is about as big as your finger.

If I was you, I would move all the contents from those floppies onto one flash drive and keep on moving!

PM me if you still have questions...

 

[DMRick]

Drop the floppy's over to my house and i'll burn them on a CD (does your old computer have a CD player?). In any case they should be burnt, in case the floppies die (which they have a habit of doing.

I wouldn't put a penny in that older computer..however, if you decide you want to, go to a used computer place or Danjens on Altamont Ave (a building in back of the "adult" bookstore) and he'll sell you memory if he has it, pretty cheap as well as a used floppy drive.

Is your printer parellel port? If so you might have a problem using it with a newer computer.

I use a desk top and and a lap top. The newest laptop is much better than my old one, but I always hook up a wireless mouse for it. I woudn't be happy spending hours on it, but it's good for getting my email, and when I'm camping, I can work with it. You are welcome to come over and try it out (or I can bring it to you..it's portable!). It was a bit pricy, and you could buy two desktops for the price I paid, but it's much better than a lot I tried.

------------------------

I don't have a CLUE what you're talking about here - LOL.. I am NOT computer literate at all.. The only thing wrong with this desk top is that I need a little more memory and I need the floppy drive to work because I have hundreds of photos from our trip to Disney World in 2001 on them.. This computer is really good for all of the clip art programs I have that were designed for Windows95 and 98SE (at least 20 different clip art/graphics programs) and I don't know if those programs would run on a brand new lap top..I want to bring this system up to the lake because I'll be using the clip art programs, scanner, printer, etc., for the scrapbooks I'll be working on..

That would leave me with no computer when I come back down here from time to time though and that's where the laptop (or new desk model) would be needed (or when I go to Florida next year)..

And Dan - I wouldn't have a CLUE how to "build" the computer I want.. I just use them - don't know anything else about them..

 

[Cantw8]

Here's an idea. It's a new computer for women. Notice that it comes complete with a blow dryer and everything. You could probably travel with it too but a laptop might be a better option for that.

Ooooohhhhh, pretty

 

[Dan Murphy]

.......And Dan - I wouldn't have a CLUE how to "build" the computer I want.. I just use them - don't know anything else about them..

LOL, no building knowledge required, C.Ann.

Here is a nice, simple configuration, with a couple upgrades; 1 gig memory, 2 year in home service. Includes XP, 60 gig hard drive, DVD burner, wireless...nice and basic.... $589, free delivery, plus tax, 2% discount if you use Dell CC.

Inspiron 1300 Qty 1
Intel® Celeron® M Processor 360 (1.40 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $908.00
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Catalog Number: 4
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 1300 Intel® Celeron® M Processor 360 (1.40 GHz/1MB Cache/400MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
LCD Panel 14.1in WXGA Display
Memory 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimm
Graphics Card Integrated Intel® Media Accelerator 900 Graphics
Hard Drive 60GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
Integrated Modem and NIC Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Cards Dell 1370 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch by Yahoo! Music - Basic music software
Primary Battery 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (29 WHr)
Dell Service & Support Plans SAVE $30 INSTANTLY! 2 Year On-site Economy Plan
Onsite System Setup No Onsite System Setup
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Digital Imaging or Digital Photography Corel Photo Album™ 6 Starter Edition - Organize and Edit your photos
Miscellaneous Inspiron 1300
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected - includes limited use trial
Mobile Broadband No Broadband Expresscard technology is available in the market now
Operating System Re-Installation CD PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Purchase Intent Purchase is not intended for resale.

TOTAL:$589.00

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[C.Ann]

Drop the floppy's over to my house and i'll burn them on a CD (does your old computer have a CD player?). In any case they should be burnt, in case the floppies die (which they have a habit of doing.

I wouldn't put a penny in that older computer..however, if you decide you want to, go to a used computer place or Danjens on Altamont Ave (a building in back of the "adult" bookstore) and he'll sell you memory if he has it, pretty cheap as well as a used floppy drive.

Is your printer parellel port? If so you might have a problem using it with a newer computer.

I use a desk top and and a lap top. The newest laptop is much better than my old one, but I always hook up a wireless mouse for it. I woudn't be happy spending hours on it, but it's good for getting my email, and when I'm camping, I can work with it. You are welcome to come over and try it out (or I can bring it to you..it's portable!). It was a bit pricy, and you could buy two desktops for the price I paid, but it's much better than a lot I tried.

-------------------------

I am SO dense! What am I thinking? Both DD's new lap top and my SIL's desk top can burn the CD's - DUH!! LOL

The printer is a parellel port but I think it might have come with the other cable too - will have to check the box..

If I get something else with XP though are all of my old print programs going to run on it?

 

[C.Ann]

C. Ann, girlfriend...don't sweat it!

A USB port is a type of plug that is flat, rectangular-shaped, and is commonly used for attaching things like mice, printers, and all your photographic equipment into your computer.

A flash drive, photo'd here

is kindof like a floppy disk, only the one pictured here is $20 and holds the equivalent of 204 floppy disks. This one actually shows the USB plug on the end. Its size is about as big as your finger.

If I was you, I would move all the contents from those floppies onto one flash drive and keep on moving!

PM me if you still have questions...

------------------------------

Thanks! I'm so bad with all of this stuff.. I really should educate myself.. So now I'm thinking maybe I'll take this set up to the lake and get something else for down here.. Any suggestions?

 

[C.Ann]

LOL, no building knowledge required, C.Ann.

Here is a nice, simple configuration, with a couple upgrades; 1 gig memory, 2 year in home service. Includes XP, 60 gig hard drive, DVD burner, wireless...nice and basic.... $589, free delivery, plus tax, 2% discount if you use Dell CC.

---------------------------------

That sounds good, Dan - and the price is attractive to me - but is a Celeron processor a good one?

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Better than a P II...... We're on P4 now..... 3.6 ghz. I would just buy a new computer, mine was 500$ and came with everything a media nut would want ( camera card slots just to name one thing )

 

[DarkSideMoon]

------------------------

I don't have a CLUE what you're talking about here - LOL.. I am NOT computer literate at all.. The only thing wrong with this desk top is that I need a little more memory and I need the floppy drive to work because I have hundreds of photos from our trip to Disney World in 2001 on them.. This computer is really good for all of the clip art programs I have that were designed for Windows95 and 98SE (at least 20 different clip art/graphics programs) and I don't know if those programs would run on a brand new lap top..I want to bring this system up to the lake because I'll be using the clip art programs, scanner, printer, etc., for the scrapbooks I'll be working on..

That would leave me with no computer when I come back down here from time to time though and that's where the laptop (or new desk model) would be needed (or when I go to Florida next year)..

And Dan - I wouldn't have a CLUE how to "build" the computer I want.. I just use them - don't know anything else about them..

It's easy. ( to the tune of the ____ bone is connected to the ____ bone. ) The motherboard's connected to the ; Power supply, The power supplys connected to the, hard drive; The hard drives connected to the motherboard, the motherboard's connected to the cd drive, the cd drive's connected to the power supply. All done!

 

[DVC Sadie]

C.Ann, I am computer illiterate too but I love my laptop. I also purchased a separate mouse to use with it and it was easier in the beginning but now I'm a lot faster with my finger. I have a Toshiba satellite M45 series that is lightweight that I bring everywhere including Disney. My dh bought a laptop to replace our home computer and its wonderful to just be able to close the lid and have everything so neat and tidy.Good luck and happy shopping.

 

[C.Ann]

It's easy. ( to the tune of the ____ bone is connected to the ____ bone. ) The motherboard's connected to the ; Power supply, The power supplys connected to the, hard drive; The hard drives connected to the motherboard, the motherboard's connected to the cd drive, the cd drive's connected to the power supply. All done!

----------------------------

I'm sorry, but "motherboard" just sounds so nasty.. LOL

 

[C.Ann]

C.Ann, I am computer illiterate too but I love my laptop. I also purchased a separate mouse to use with it and it was easier in the beginning but now I'm a lot faster with my finger. I have a Toshiba satellite M45 series that is lightweight that I bring everywhere including Disney. My dh bought a laptop to replace our home computer and its wonderful to just be able to close the lid and have everything so neat and tidy.Good luck and happy shopping.

----------------------------

Now see - I have a nephew who does computer repairs and what-have-you and he told me to go with a Toshiba, where another family member told me absolutely not! That's why I'm asking for suggestions here - I'm so darn confused..

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Alright, lets start with a budget. How much do you want to spend on a computer? And what do you want it to do? Do you want a Desktop or a Laptop?

 

[DMRick]

I have a Toshiba satellite M45 series that is lightweight that I bring everywhere including Disney.

We have 2 toshiba laptops and 1 Dell laptop, and 1 Gateway. I can't imagine why anyone would have told you to stay away from a Toshiba..sure they didn't say Compact? We've got lots of computer guru's in our family, and not a one has ever had a bad thing to say about Toshiba's. My brother worked for NCR as a repairman since back when computers took up whole rooms, and he had nothing bad to say. If your nephew is a computer whiz, he might be better to help you with the buying. Toshiba gets great reviews.

I personally would never buy another laptop, where I couldn't sit and try out the keyboard (and I wouldn't get a Celeron..I prefer the chip made for laptops, that stays cooler..I thought I had read Cereron was not a preferred chip for laptops). The Dell is ok, but it's heavy, and I hate hate the keyboard (I used it for several hours at a time when I used to do craft fairs and brought the computer with me to personalize items). The Dell laptop itself has been fine, but the Toshiba is a lot more comfortable for longer term. I would never have a laptop as a main computer, but for dragging it around the Toshiba is sweet.

I personally would get a desktop for the lake (or wherever you'll be using it the most, since you prob would be using it a lot and it's more comfortable..my girlfriend just got a great Gateway from Office Depot that was really loaded with harddrive (160 gig) and memory(1024) and an awesome flat monitor, way better than the cheap one Dell offers with their inexpensive machines..tried to price her out a Dell, and this was far better with what it had, and a better price than she could get direct from Gateway) and a very inexpensive laptop for dragging back and forth from Florida, since you'll prob just be using it more for email. But I would still try out the keyboard first...if you hate it, you won't use it much. I went to Circuit City and CompUSA and tried them all..they have them all lined up.