Kitty's Laptop

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RustyRatRod

RustyRatRod

I was born on a Monday. Not last Monday.
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Kitty's laptop has had it. It's an older Dell, but the lid hinges have broken several times and now they're broken again......among other things and I need to find her something better. Before I hit Ebay and whatnot I thought I would ask here because I know a few of yall are into computers and all. Do any of yall maybe have an extra laptop we could fix her up with? Her's does have a DVD drive on it and she did use it from time to time, so I would at least like that. Her's is pretty big. It's a 15.1 screen I think......15 somethin, dammit. lol That's not written in stone, but I know she doesn't like small screens. I appreciate any help. Thanks.
 
Can't help you with any spare lap tops but I might be able to help you with the typical cracking at the hinges for future reference?? All (most) laptops have the same problem and you can avoid, or at least dramatically reduce the cracking, if you close and open the laptop lid (screen) by grasping the lid (screen) in the center instead of from the corners. Most people grab the corners when opening the laptop (because it easier that way), this action stresses out the hinge because of the torsional leverage you're putting on the hinge area when lifting the lid. Always lift the lid (screen) from the center and you won't stress out the hinges. I know it's a little more trouble to squeeze your fingers under the lid (screen) at the center when the laptop is closed so I always leave mine just a little open to make it easier. When you absolutely have to close it all the way take the time to wiggle your fingers under the center part of the lid (screen) to lift and your laptop hinges should last forever. Even if you use the corners to get the lid just a little open to grab the center will still stress out the hinges because when it's completely closed is when it put the most stress on the hinges. Mine is 6 years old now with no signs of cracking!! Hope this helps.......now back to regular programming...LOL.
 
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Treblig said:
Can't help with you with any spare lap tops but I might be able to help you with the typical cracking at the hinges for future reference?? All (most) laptops have the same problem and you can avoid, or at least dramatically reduce the cracking, if you close and open the laptop lid (screen) by grasping the lid (screen) in the center instead of from the corners. Most people grab the corners when opening the laptop (because it easier that way), this action stresses out the hinge because of the torsional leverage you're putting on the hinge area when lifting the lid. Always lift the lid (screen) from the center and you won't stress out the hinges. I know it's a little more trouble to squeeze your fingers under the lid (screen) at the center when the laptop is closed so I always leave mine just a little open to make it easier. When you absolutely have to close it all the way take the time to wiggle your fingers under the center part of the lid (screen) to lift and your laptop hinges should last forever. Even if you use the corners to get the lid just a little open to grab the center will still stress out the hinges because when it's completely closed is when it put the most stress on the hinges. Mine is 6 years old now with no signs of cracking!! Hope this helps.......now back to regular programming...LOL.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! That's actually a big help!
 
Want me to change this to a wanted thread? I would be tempted to purchase a new laptop now and transfer files. It will keep you from doing it twice if you use a loaner. You can hook a monitor to your laptop if you need to.

Take it from me, Get a memory stick and back up your important files before something happens. I lost 10 years of pictures when my hard drive went south. :BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:
 
Whatever you do, get a solid state drive (ssd) instead of a hard disk drive (hdd). They are friggin bullet-proof.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Thanks man! That's actually a big help!
Click to expand...
I honestly don't know why the manufacturer didn't install a flexible plastic tab onto the center of the screen so that the user could easily lift the screen from the center.....of course they won't sell as many laptops if the hinges didn't crack :BangHead:. But duct tape can do wonders!!! Just don't cover the little camera opening.
 
toolmanmike said:
Want me to change this to a wanted thread? I would be tempted to purchase a new laptop now and transfer files. It will keep you from doing it twice if you use a loaner. You can hook a monitor to your laptop if you need to.

Take it from me, Get a memory stick and back up your important files before something happens. I lost 10 years of pictures when my hard drive went south. :BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:
Click to expand...
Agree I have a 500 gig external hard drive. I back up all my important files. I learned the hard way.
 
I think I'm going to find a Ford forum and go out and see if I can find a computer for my wife remember it must be over 15 inch...:lol::poke:

He's got me on ignore anyways.....lol....:popcorn::popcorn: sorry back to your Mopar car forum stuff....
 
I'm sure I can hook you up. I'm at work so I don't have time to comment more, but will after I get home.
 
toolmanmike said:
Want me to change this to a wanted thread? I would be tempted to purchase a new laptop now and transfer files. It will keep you from doing it twice if you use a loaner. You can hook a monitor to your laptop if you need to.

Take it from me, Get a memory stick and back up your important files before something happens. I lost 10 years of pictures when my hard drive went south. :BangHead::BangHead::BangHead:
Click to expand...

Yes, I don't know why I didn't think of that. Thank you!
 
I have a nice 17 inch laptop works good, yours for free if you want it...let me know. Not too old....
 
I have a 15 year old Dell that had light use. The hinges are probably perfect. It doesn't have that big wide screen, but if the hinges detach from both the lid and the body, they might be the same. If you want it, I'll send it to you. I'm not with it right now but I could check it out a little later. Let me know if you'd like to explore this possible solution.

Edit:
I must have been typing when MoparTim made his offer. Very generous!
 
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Dang yall. All yall are really generous. Ddaddy PM'ed me and says he has one. We'll see how that goes. I will keep yall posted. Thank you all so much.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Kitty's laptop has had it. It's an older Dell, but the lid hinges have broken several times and now they're broken again......among other things and I need to find her something better. Before I hit Ebay and whatnot I thought I would ask here because I know a few of yall are into computers and all. Do any of yall maybe have an extra laptop we could fix her up with? Her's does have a DVD drive on it and she did use it from time to time, so I would at least like that. Her's is pretty big. It's a 15.1 screen I think......15 somethin, dammit. lol That's not written in stone, but I know she doesn't like small screens. I appreciate any help. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Rob, check out Walmart online as they have some great prices and you can even get a two year extended Waranty cheap which is good insurance.
I'm talking a couple hundred bucks for some pretty decent machines.
Of course free is great, but just in case that doesn't work out for some reason.

Here's a good example of a Dell 15" with 6 gigs of RAM, an I5 processor and 320GB hard drive for $200.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Refurbis...B-HDD-Windows-7-Home-Premium-64-bit/513090814
 
This is the one I offered to Rob.

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I have a spare ten year old Dell here that I am not using. It belonged to my sister who passed away. It works fine for what us older folks use a computer for. I don’t have a charging cord for it so occasionally I’ll turn it on using the charging cord for my other Dell computer.
 
Treblig said:
I honestly don't know why the manufacturer didn't install a flexible plastic tab onto the center of the screen so that the user could easily lift the screen from the center.....of course they won't sell as many laptops if the hinges didn't crack :BangHead:. But duct tape can do wonders!!! Just don't cover the little camera opening.
Click to expand...
I had a few laptops have hinge issues. Toshiba's have been my best brand. Dell the worst.
 
This type of stuff is one thing I can help you guys out with, in exchange for all the help and knowledge you've shared with me. I've been doing this stuff for 40+ years. Probably a big reason why I've never rebuilt an engine.. I was inside messing around with machine language while my brothers were rebuilding engines and stuff out in the garage.. damn nerd!
Seems you're covered with a 'new' one for Kitty, RRR. If they don't work out, let me know, I have a stack of laptops in the basement that I could set up for basic use, and I don't need all 3 of the newest ones I have as I'm not doing hockey tournament photography any more.
A few pics of the drives laying around I have to go through and destroy this winter.. I have more in the basement.

IMGP7671.JPG


IMGP7674.JPG
 
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