hunterjwizzard
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2020
- Messages
- 890
Hell of a thrift store find. $20 untested, no power supply:
Complete with PCGA-DSM5 Dock:
Pentium III M 1ghz but a paltry 256mb of RAM. Looks like the graphics chip is an Intel 830M? I can't find any information on it, but it has to be graphically accelerated as the previous owner installed EverQuest.
I coincidently had a compatible PSU at home and when plugged it in, it posted just fine. The BIOS reports the hard disk as failed but Windows XP still loaded after a fashion. Looks like the unit had a new 80gb hard disk installed some years ago and reloaded from the setup disks(which obviously did not come with it). And only ever used the machine for music, internet, and EverQuest(who among us hasn't done the same?).
The rubber feet had disintegrated into some sort of glue-like compound. I had to use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to remove them completely(and the sockets are still sticky!!!)
A further complication is the socket for plugging the power supply into the dock is completely knackered, my guess is the previous owner left the power supply plugged in when he donated the laptop to the thrift store and it got ripped out along with the housing. Good news is that part appears to be replaceable.
The battery is not leaking but I have not fired it up. I just discovered an early 90s laptop in my collection that was destroyed by a leaky laptop battey(I didn't know they could do that!) so now I am feeling more cautious.
All in, the system needs: 1. a minor repair to the dock. 2. a lot of cleaning. 3. a new hard disk.
And in the end it will be a fully-functional retro laptop. Yay!
I have in my possession a new-old-stock PATA laptop drive bought for my defunct PC repair business. I could install that, or I could buy an SD to laptop adapter(or CF to laptop). I am happy wit this purchase.
Complete with PCGA-DSM5 Dock:
Pentium III M 1ghz but a paltry 256mb of RAM. Looks like the graphics chip is an Intel 830M? I can't find any information on it, but it has to be graphically accelerated as the previous owner installed EverQuest.
I coincidently had a compatible PSU at home and when plugged it in, it posted just fine. The BIOS reports the hard disk as failed but Windows XP still loaded after a fashion. Looks like the unit had a new 80gb hard disk installed some years ago and reloaded from the setup disks(which obviously did not come with it). And only ever used the machine for music, internet, and EverQuest(who among us hasn't done the same?).
The rubber feet had disintegrated into some sort of glue-like compound. I had to use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to remove them completely(and the sockets are still sticky!!!)
A further complication is the socket for plugging the power supply into the dock is completely knackered, my guess is the previous owner left the power supply plugged in when he donated the laptop to the thrift store and it got ripped out along with the housing. Good news is that part appears to be replaceable.
The battery is not leaking but I have not fired it up. I just discovered an early 90s laptop in my collection that was destroyed by a leaky laptop battey(I didn't know they could do that!) so now I am feeling more cautious.
All in, the system needs: 1. a minor repair to the dock. 2. a lot of cleaning. 3. a new hard disk.
And in the end it will be a fully-functional retro laptop. Yay!
I have in my possession a new-old-stock PATA laptop drive bought for my defunct PC repair business. I could install that, or I could buy an SD to laptop adapter(or CF to laptop). I am happy wit this purchase.