OT : Laptops

I want a new laptop, but I want one without an operating system. It
seems to be impossible. suggestions for a supplier welcome. Failing
that, anyone got a SOlaptop they want to flog me?

 

Why?

The OS will add about $2 to the end price of the machine. Just nuke the HDD
on arrival if you have your own OS.

I can understand not wanting the proprietary bollocks the likes of Acer
insist on infesting into a machine. A minor irritation, though.

 

IBM X32 with DVD 'clamshell', 1.5GB RAM etc any good for you?

 

In message

Novatech.

 

LOL, we just got hold of an Acer Travelmate .. 40gig HD, with only 9gig
empty ... after doing a full recovery with all standard options!!

Removed all the shite by re-installing XP separately and only adding
hardware drivers and 'normal' apps ... now got 31 gig free ...

I can't help but think, however, that the standard recovery can't have
gone correctly, despite what the pop-ups kept telling me.

--
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'
ebay stuff http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/paul-xxx

 

How does the reinstall business work? My bird has a travelmate, and it's
pretty well munged due to her downloading all variety of shite onto it. It
has no recovery CD - is there a hidden partition somewhere?

 

Yes. Doesn't show up at all unless you have a recovery cd, then shows
up as X:, though the Acers at school show up as G: (you have to look,
don't you) ... though I'd guess if I looked hard enough it'd be easy
enough to find apps to clear it ... indeed Acer have a System DVD ...
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/utilities.html which might be
worth downloading and trying. If you get no luck, post back or email
and we'll work something out ...

--
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'
ebay stuff http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/paul-xxx

 

Sorry to ask a daft question, but what is a "clamshell" ? and yes that
sounds possible how much?

 

In that case, the bottom half of the computer - the X32 is an
ultraportable that doesn't have things like a built-in DVD drive. Call
it a mini-docking station.

Around 230 of your earthly pounds, complete with VAT invoice.

 

I 've done a bit of googling and it seems that this is a bit *too*
portable, 'cos it seems that it's only got a 12.1" screen which I
would find a bit small after my D600. I think I'll pass on it, mind
you if the new prices are anything like right it's a bargain for
someone.
Thanks anyway.

 

It is - I tend to buy laptops with relatively small screens because I
actually lug them around so light weight and small enough to use on the
train or on a plane is important for me.

No worries. I bought this for my company but it's surplus to
requirements now that I've joined the Church of Steve...

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Speedgazebo

NEC Versa S950 - couple of years old.

1 Gb RAM, 150GB HDD, DVD.

Currently has XP Pro on it, feel free to overwrite that.

Case is silver painted, and the lid has some marks on the paint. It all
works.

Umm... Dunno, make an offer.

 

<AOL>

Hence the old 12" G4 iBook.

 

Interested, go on, how much?

 

Further to this ...

Just had a RTFM session ... as you do ... My Acer Travelmate is a 4500
series (4502LCi), the following is from the manual which says it's
suitable for a 2300/4000/4500 series machine. If yours is different
the process might be different but this could be worth a try at least.
I just tried it as far as the password protection bit and it works ...
So, directly from the manual ...

Restore without recovery CD.
Check BIOS (Press F2 during POST) to [ENABLE] [Hard Disk Recovery] in
[Advanced] and Exit Saving Changes and let the system reboot.

1. Restart the system
2. The instruction "Press <F2> to Enter BIOS" is shown at the bottom of
the screen, during POST.
3. Press <ALT> + <F10> at the same time to start the recovery process.
4. The message "The system has password protection. Please enter
000000:" is displayed.
5. Enter six 0s and continue.
6. "Acer Self-Configuration Preload" window appears.
7. Use the arrow keys to scroll through the items (operating system
versions) and press "Enter" to select.

Anything else you need just ask.

Hope it helps ...

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Speedgazebo

I honestly have no fucking clue what it's worth. Is there a laptop
equivalent of TOG around? Any opinions?

 

£100 for a start?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Speedgazebo

<shrug>

It's a nice round number. Seems fair to me.

 

If Speedgazebo doesn't want it I will snap it up for the NHCA "bringing
our timing results display arrangements in to the third millenium"
project.

--
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OK, you are local aren't you? Can I come over and have a look at it?
If that's OK give me a ring on 621492.