Poll: DELL 20% MSN rebate thread #4: HOT upgrade to WIN 2k for free

[loudmouth]

This sucks...I got my damn scanner but I wont get my I8000 before Christmas. There goes the holiday. I really got this thing hoping I?d have before Christmas and now I got only a scanner to give. I still haven't gotten my rebate conformation from dell I'm beginning to think that Mickey Mouse runs Dell.


OT...

Is it ok to post codes in deals forum?

 

[Dx-treme]

Inspiron 8000
win 2k
15" tft monitor
P III 800
128 meg
32 meg ATI Video
20 gig
dvd + floppy
NOt a single DEAD or BURNED pixel
3 year next day service waranty
$2150 after rebate

Let me know as i am going to send this thing back to dell Before Jan 5th 2001 and believe the warranty is 100% transferable

Lithium Ion BAttery tips:

1) When new discharged the battery completly to the very last juice and then deep charge it (leave overnight)

2) Only recharge your battery when it is completly depleted. I still believe in memory effect regardless the type of battery

3) When plugged to the wall do not use your battery as this will recharge your battery. The heat generated can also shortern the life of the battery. When i am using my computer with the outlet, i always pull the battery out from the laptop.

last tip, Consider the built quality of the DELL INSPIRON series, i would strongly suggest a non-backpack style carrying case. You will never know when this thing can come apart.

 

[Braxus]

Well I got all the hardware scanned from the I8K when I opened it up. Also read over all the datasheets on the hardware on the motherboard and stuff. Would anyone be interested in a in depth overview of the hardware in the machine? I can write up one if anyone is interested. Please let me know... Don't wanna do something that no one will take a look at.

 

[Dx-treme]

Braxus,
That would be extremly appreciated and very kind of you ! Please let all of us know.

Also if you can share more maintanence/beef up tips on the Inspiron 8000. I am sure every I 8000 owners here would like to know !

 

[TaylorD]

email me Dx-treme...

I am interested... (and yes, the warranty is completely transferrable so long as you did not finance the laptop)

 

[Esquire]

Braxus fire away

 

[Clocker]

Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade a cpu on a laptop inspiron 3800?

Sincerely
Clocker

 

[Dx-treme]

The only laptop that uses a conventional desktop CPU is winbook. That is why they are cheap. NO speedstep technology though and i can imagine a sort battery life.

 

[JIZ76]

Hi, When I was having performance issues with ME...
This is the tweak M$ gives on their OEM sys builders page/beta testers etc.

Condensed version:

Go to My Computer, right click go to properties... go to Performance tab, File System, then Troubleshooting... check the box to Disable System Restore O.K, O.K. outta there...

Next, go to "System Infomation"

Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, finally sys info.

Click on tools, then the "WMI Control" tab... Under logging level, choose Disable O.K.

Then go to the "backup/restore" tab right next door to logging. Uncheck Automatically backup every XX_min./hrs. O.K. Exit applet, reboot!

Hope it helps.

That did it for me, in regards to lockups, general stability, your mileage may vary...

 

[Braxus]

Clocker,

yes it's possible to upgrade the I3.8K to a faster CPU. Fastest one you can upgrade to is currently a Mobile Pentium III 850. Same goes with all the other current Inspiron series notebooks.

 

[Clocker]

Where would I buy the CPU?

 

[Braxus]

Check out pricewatch.com they have a list of mobile Pentium III CPUs for sale. The version you want is MicroPGA (mPGA).

 

[Insomniac]

I tried to tell you guys that you could get Win2K for free, but instead people just decided to jump down my throat and call me a liar.

I got a replacement drive, and it had a yellow sticker that clearly said 'refurbished'. I called and was told that they may send a refurbished drive if your system is 30 days old. I told him mine was not and that I could get a new drive if I want. I also told him they sent me a 20 GB hard drive instead of a 10 GB drive. He said I could just keep it if I want.

For those of you who got 20 GB hard drives, do you ever hear a 'spring' sound every now and then? I've heard it 3 or 4 times, but it is very quick. I hope it isn't a bad drive. Please help me out. Thanks.

 

[Braxus]

You lucky fish dropping (better known as bass-turd ). I want a free +10GB upgrade!

As for the springing sound I do hear it at times on my drive (10GB IBM unit). More so if I take the drive out and flip it from back to front.

 

[Esquire]

braxus could you do a pictorial of the insides of the 8K... that would be cool.

 

[Insomniac]

I'll try taking my drive out and moving it from front to back. Thanks Braxus.

 

[luv2chill]

Hey everyone--

I received my Win2k CD, Product Key, and manual today via Airborne Express. Oredered it two days ago. It also included a form letter stating that I needed to return my other operating system along with an Airborne shipping label. No problem though--the sooner I get rid of all traces of WinME the better!

Only thing is that I don't have time to mess with it today! Still have some last minute Xmas present buying to do!

Merry Christmas everyone!

l2c

P.S. Props do go to insomniac for this "deal". He posted it first... I believed you man! Thanks!

 

[demiwolf]

I dont reccomend it!!!

 

[Esquire]

braxus..., u got a mothorboard pix?

thanks
8)
(bump)

 

[Dx-treme]

GO to Office Depot B&M

they have an auto/air 12v adapter for sale ( i forgot the brand name or SKU#. retail either $89.99 or $ 99.99.

NOW on sale for only $29.99

PErfect companion for the $9.99 SOny SKYMAP GPS. Now you can use the GPS on the plane (not recommended) or on the car.

Any words on the SOny SKYMAP GPS drivers for Win2k ??

 

[Braxus]

Yes I have a complete set of motherboard pics and other hardware including the video card, socket, etc. Will be posting this info soon.

Also found out an interesting fact while fiddling around with the hardware... The Insprion 8000 and Latitude seem to have the same hardware configurations down to the system board. The Latitude C800 however, seems to have a better overall build. There also seems to be an extra video option setting when you use the C800 BIOS instead of the I8K BIOS.

 

[Braxus]

FYI,

Dell just updated their drivers for the ATI Mobility M3/4 for W2K.

 

[WallyKid]

Guys, i have a problem with typing. Whenever i type, the cursor would suddenly go back to the middle of the sentence. That means that i'm typing in the middle of my sentence. sometimes, the i can't see the letters when i am typing. I tried calling the Tech support, and deleted the drivers, and reinstalled it, disabling the touch pad, and he is suggesting me to format my laptop. The tech support guy kept telling me its not a hardware problem, and its not the keyboard problem. But how can the touch pad affect the keyboard when i deleted the driver? God, i hate dells support.

 

[John]

You guys w/ an i8000 might want to run WCPUID to make sure you are operating at full cpu speed when running A/C power. I have an 800MHz cpu and it was stuck at 650MHz until I flashed to the A03 BIOS. It also fixes the erratic behavior of the (2) exhaust fans.

 

[mragrimm]

I've talked to two different techs about the Win2k upgrade and both have told me to talk to customer support about it because they couldn't do anything about. So I called customer support and the very unknowledgable CSR told me that they wouldn't support it even if they sent me a copy because I had already installed it. I told him I would reformat my drive and install their copy but he said that didn't matter and that the only way I could have a supported upgrade would be to send the whole system back. Am I just having bad luck with holiday help? Does someone happen to have the name and extension of either a tech or a CSR they talked to that gave them the upgrade? Thanks!

Andrew