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FREE computer woes
|
|
|
| On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
device manager.
Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
I use Belarc?
Thanks,
Kathy
A+
| |
| Syphillus 2003-12-26, 8:23 pm |
|
"Kathy" <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote in message
news:vupfdu68d78u59@corp.supernews.com...
> On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
> working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
> it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
> HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
> I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
> bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
> no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
> computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
> couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
> one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
> device manager.
>
> Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
> what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
> I use Belarc?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
> A+
Belarc to start... seeing as it is Dell you could probably find some info
about the system on their website..
--
Syphilus
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.555 / Virus Database: 347 - Release Date: 12/23/2003
| |
|
| On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 18:01:43 -0500, "Kathy"
<computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote:
>I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
>I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
>bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
>no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
>computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.
Most likely if it was being used for a business of any size at all, it
was being used on a network and doesn't have a modem. That's why you
only see a jack for a Cat 5 cable (the NIC). It may not have a sound
card either. If you have the jacks for audio on the back, it has
sound built-into the MOBO. Same with the video, if it has a
connection for the monitor, video is built-in. I don't know why
anyone would leave the other "good" stuff inside, but pull the video
card, so my guess is it's built into the MOBO.
I bought an IBM off of E-Bay a few years ago that was used in a
business environment. It came with no modem or sound card. One of
the expansion slot covers was missing on the back, which is probably
where the NIC card had been inserted, but it had been pulled out. It
was for my little boy (8 at the time) to play games on, so I didn't
worry about Internet connectivity. I bought a cheap sound card for
$17, and he was good to go.
| |
| polishpickle 2003-12-26, 9:23 pm |
| You will have to use adia because you have to be on the internet for bearc
to work
"Kathy" <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote in message
news:vupfdu68d78u59@corp.supernews.com...
> On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
> working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
> it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
> HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
> I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
> bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
> no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
> computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
> couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
> one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
> device manager.
>
> Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
> what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
> I use Belarc?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
> A+
>
>
| |
| Barry Watzman 2003-12-26, 9:23 pm |
| Being a "corporate" computer, it probably didn't have a modem. Being a
Dell, it should have a "service tag" on it with a number. You can go to
the Dell web site, enter that, and get a list of all of the components
and configuration of that computer (AS IT WAS SHIPPED, of course,
clearly Dell can't account for any subsequent changes). You can also
get a list of, and download, all of the necessary drivers for all of the
operating systems supported by Dell on that particular model by service tag.
Kathy wrote:
> On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
> working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
> it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
> HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
> I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
> bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
> no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
> computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
> couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
> one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
> device manager.
>
> Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
> what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
> I use Belarc?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
> A+
>
>
| |
|
| Yes I knew it was being used on a network and I know there is no modem
in the computer..... well, he insists that there IS a modem.... well,
as far as I can see, there is not one, not unless it's invisible!
Thats why I asked... I was trying to prove that I am right about all
that I am telling him. There are jacks for the audio and the video so
I knew this was built into the mobo, as well as the NIC is built
in.... First thing his wife said was she wanted to get online that
day.... can't ppl figure out they need a modem and an ISP first?! See
what I am dealing with right now?
He also wants me to get rid of the company logo on the desktop.... I
couldn't get to it so I couldn't get rid of it.... he thinks the
company can trace the computer somehow, but I don't see how.... why be
paranoid anyway if they were throwing them out in the first place?
Strange how no one in that family wanted computers, now everyone is
getting one! Must figure "freebies" for everyone!!
Kathy
A+
"Jesse" <jessetx2002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:kskpuv47pkak0civaj1s0ept4
k5lft22qe@4ax.com...
>
> Most likely if it was being used for a business of any size at all,
it
> was being used on a network and doesn't have a modem. That's why
you
> only see a jack for a Cat 5 cable (the NIC). It may not have a
sound
> card either. If you have the jacks for audio on the back, it has
> sound built-into the MOBO. Same with the video, if it has a
> connection for the monitor, video is built-in. I don't know why
> anyone would leave the other "good" stuff inside, but pull the video
> card, so my guess is it's built into the MOBO.
>
> I bought an IBM off of E-Bay a few years ago that was used in a
> business environment. It came with no modem or sound card. One of
> the expansion slot covers was missing on the back, which is probably
> where the NIC card had been inserted, but it had been pulled out.
It
> was for my little boy (8 at the time) to play games on, so I didn't
> worry about Internet connectivity. I bought a cheap sound card for
> $17, and he was good to go.
>
| |
| Chris E 2003-12-26, 9:23 pm |
| Adia is the shit anyway. I love it over Belarc.
Chris
"polishpickle" <jstanek@neo.r.com> wrote in message
news:Y75Hb.34628$ms2.24933@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> You will have to use adia because you have to be on the internet for bearc
> to work
>
> "Kathy" <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote in message
> news:vupfdu68d78u59@corp.supernews.com...
>
>
| |
| plantwiz 2003-12-26, 10:15 pm |
| If he is worried about the 'company' finding the computer - Then I would guess the company didn't throw it out. | |
| Kathy 2003-12-26, 10:24 pm |
| Where can I find adia?
"polishpickle" <jstanek@neo.r.com> wrote in message
news:Y75Hb.34628$ms2.24933@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
> You will have to use adia because you have to be on the internet for
bearc
> to work
>
> "Kathy" <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote in message
> news:vupfdu68d78u59@corp.supernews.com...
was[color=blue]
on[color=blue]
had a[color=blue]
so[color=blue]
not a[color=blue]
see[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
exactly[color=blue]
Should[color=blue]
>
>
| |
| Kathy 2003-12-26, 11:23 pm |
| I will, again, look for the service tag. I couldn't find one the first
time, but maybe I overlooked it.
Thanks,
Kathy
A+
"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3FECDEFD.8090209@neo.rr.com...
> Being a "corporate" computer, it probably didn't have a modem.
Being a
> Dell, it should have a "service tag" on it with a number. You can
go to
> the Dell web site, enter that, and get a list of all of the
components
> and configuration of that computer (AS IT WAS SHIPPED, of course,
> clearly Dell can't account for any subsequent changes). You can
also
> get a list of, and download, all of the necessary drivers for all of
the
> operating systems supported by Dell on that particular model by
service tag.
>
>
> Kathy wrote:
>
was[color=blue]
on[color=blue]
had a[color=blue]
so[color=blue]
not a[color=blue]
see[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
exactly[color=blue]
Should[color=blue]
>
| |
| Kathy 2003-12-26, 11:23 pm |
| It's not that at all.... my first guess was that, but it turned out to
be wrong. They definately were throwing them out.
"plantwiz" <plantwiz.z2vwe@mail.examnotes.net> wrote in message
news lantwiz.z2vwe@mail.examnotes.net...
>
> If he is worried about the 'company' finding the computer - Then I
would
> guess the company didn't throw it out.
>
>
> plantwiz
> Sign up for free daily practice questions at: http://www.QoD.US
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----
> Posted via http://www.examnotes.net
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
----
> View this thread: http://www.examnotes.net/article1031489.html
>
>
>
| |
| Barry Watzman 2003-12-27, 12:23 am |
| It's usually on the back, sometimes the bottom (have to turn the
computer on it's side to see it), could even be inside. Since it's a
"tag", literally, there is a chance it's been removed.
However, also, on Dell computers, the DMI information has the [Dell]
serial number of the computer and the service tag actually recorded in
the CMOS, and you can see this information in the BIOS setup screens.
Kathy wrote:
> I will, again, look for the service tag. I couldn't find one the first
> time, but maybe I overlooked it.
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
> A+
>
> "Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:3FECDEFD.8090209@neo.rr.com...
>
>
> Being a
>
>
> go to
>
>
> components
>
>
> also
>
>
> the
>
>
> service tag.
>
>
> was
>
>
> on
>
>
> had a
>
>
> so
>
>
> not a
>
>
> see
>
>
> the
>
>
> the
>
>
> exactly
>
>
> Should
>
>
>
| |
|
|
| Steven Heller 2003-12-27, 11:23 am |
| Belarc should work
Kathy wrote:
>On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
>working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
>it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
>HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
>I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
>bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
>no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
>computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
>couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
>one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
>device manager.
>
>Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
>what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
>I use Belarc?
>
>Thanks,
>Kathy
>A+
>
>
>
>
| |
| Navin R. Johnson 2003-12-27, 1:23 pm |
| On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 18:01:43 -0500, "Kathy"
<computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote:
>On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
>working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
>it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
>HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
>I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
>bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
>no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
>computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
>couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
>one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
>device manager.
>
>Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
>what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
>I use Belarc?
Why not just LOOK INSIDE! You should at least be able to find the
motherboard manufacturer and model then get the info from their website.
FYI, if there is a 15-pin video connector on the back panel then it has
built-in video. If there is a LAN connector on the back panel then the
LAN is built-in. If there are three 1/8" stereo jacks on the back panel,
colored blue, red and green then the sound is built-in. If you see two
phone jacks, side by side, somewhere on the back of the computer then
you can be sure it has a modem. If you can determine what chipset is on
the motherboard then you should be able to find drivers for it. Use
common sense and don't 'assumme'.
Finally got that word wrap problem fixed, huh?
>
>Thanks,
>Kathy
>A-
NRJ
| |
| Navin R. Johnson 2003-12-27, 1:23 pm |
| On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 12:20:07 -0500, Navin R. Johnson
<TheJerk@optigrab.net> wrote:
Oh..... it's a Dell..... Never mind.
NRJ
>On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 18:01:43 -0500, "Kathy"
><computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote:
>
>
>Why not just LOOK INSIDE! You should at least be able to find the
>motherboard manufacturer and model then get the info from their website.
>
>FYI, if there is a 15-pin video connector on the back panel then it has
>built-in video. If there is a LAN connector on the back panel then the
>LAN is built-in. If there are three 1/8" stereo jacks on the back panel,
>colored blue, red and green then the sound is built-in. If you see two
>phone jacks, side by side, somewhere on the back of the computer then
>you can be sure it has a modem. If you can determine what chipset is on
>the motherboard then you should be able to find drivers for it. Use
>common sense and don't 'assumme'.
>
>Finally got that word wrap problem fixed, huh?
>
>
>NRJ
| |
|
| Funny because I thought so too.... I mean it works on my machines
without being online.
"Steven Heller" <Steven.Heller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3FEDAC53.5050209@verizon.net...
> Belarc should work
>
>
> Kathy wrote:
>
was[color=blue]
on[color=blue]
had a[color=blue]
so[color=blue]
not a[color=blue]
see[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
Should[color=blue]
>
| |
|
| Barry,
Nevermind about the tag..... they removed it as well. I have no idea
why he did this, but I am starting to get a little suspicious about
things now.
"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3FED120D.3050104@neo.rr.com...
> It's usually on the back, sometimes the bottom (have to turn the
> computer on it's side to see it), could even be inside. Since it's
a
> "tag", literally, there is a chance it's been removed.
>
> However, also, on Dell computers, the DMI information has the [Dell]
> serial number of the computer and the service tag actually recorded
in
> the CMOS, and you can see this information in the BIOS setup
screens.
>
>
> Kathy wrote:
first[color=blue]
of[color=blue]
card,[color=blue]
>
| |
|
| Navin,
I DID look inside. I wanted to see what it had and what it didn't
have.... yes, the video, the audio, and the LAN are built into the
mobo.... there is no modem whatsoever.
Yes I got the word wrap problem fixed..... ppl need to tell me these
things so I can correct it :-)
Hey! Why put the - instead of the +? Remember, I have book knowledge,
not much hands-on :-)
"Navin R. Johnson" <TheJerk@optigrab.net> wrote in message
news:2ieruvc2ommljgov5mqkph8fp
qmi78u77n@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 18:01:43 -0500, "Kathy"
> <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote:
>
was[color=blue]
on[color=blue]
had a[color=blue]
so[color=blue]
not a[color=blue]
see[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
Should[color=blue]
>
> Why not just LOOK INSIDE! You should at least be able to find the
> motherboard manufacturer and model then get the info from their
website.
>
> FYI, if there is a 15-pin video connector on the back panel then it
has
> built-in video. If there is a LAN connector on the back panel then
the
> LAN is built-in. If there are three 1/8" stereo jacks on the back
panel,
> colored blue, red and green then the sound is built-in. If you see
two
> phone jacks, side by side, somewhere on the back of the computer
then
> you can be sure it has a modem. If you can determine what chipset is
on
> the motherboard then you should be able to find drivers for it. Use
> common sense and don't 'assumme'.
>
> Finally got that word wrap problem fixed, huh?
>
>
> NRJ
| |
|
| Dell has all the information stored in the BIOS when you get there!
AT
"Kathy" <computermonkeyNOSPAM@inbox.net> wrote in message
news:vurplmsi3jml1b@corp.supernews.com...
> Barry,
>
> Nevermind about the tag..... they removed it as well. I have no idea
> why he did this, but I am starting to get a little suspicious about
> things now.
>
>
> "Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:3FED120D.3050104@neo.rr.com...
> a
> in
> screens.
> first
> of
> card,
>
>
| |
|
| Kathy wrote:
> On of my outlaws brought home a free computer that the company he was
> working for was throwing out. It's a Dell and it has Windows 2000 on
> it. I opened the box to look inside.... actually to make sure it had a
> HDD, it does, but I didn't see a sound card, modem, or video card, so
> I am assumming that this is all built into the mobo.... actually not a
> bad computer for free.... they want to get online with it, but I see
> no modem inside the computer or phone plug on the back of the
> computer, just a plug for a Cat 5 cable.... I turned it on, but I
> couldn't log in because my brother-in-law wasn't there and he was the
> one with the password, so I couldn't log in to actually get into the
> device manager.
>
> Could someone tell me what program I should get to find out exactly
> what hardware is on this computer and what drivers it is using? Should
> I use Belarc?
>
> Thanks,
> Kathy
> A+
it's a dell, goto dell's website and lookup the infomation on that model
or
take the case off and look at the model numbers on the chips
or
(in the case of it already working) look in device manager
| |
|
| I wanted to look in the device manager, but I couldn't log on..... he
wrote down the password for me for next time I go over there....
actually I didn't pay very much attention to the model number on the
chips because I couldn't do too much to it that day.... I will check
next time when I have more time.
I really don't like the fact that he has this machine with no disks
whatsoever.... he is VERY cheap and won't buy anything! and what the
hell is he going to do when he runs into a problem in the future and
the computer asks for the CD?! I am just fed up with the whole thing!
"Geoff" <fooooooool@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bsl2iu$dq9fh$1@ID-17404.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Kathy wrote:
was[color=blue]
on[color=blue]
had a[color=blue]
so[color=blue]
not a[color=blue]
see[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
the[color=blue]
exactly[color=blue]
Should[color=blue]
>
> it's a dell, goto dell's website and lookup the infomation on that
model
> or
> take the case off and look at the model numbers on the chips
> or
> (in the case of it already working) look in device manager
>
>
| |
|
| I have to do it though.... they will bother me constantly until I do.
I cannot stand being bothered!
My own family.... Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sister NEVER bother me....
one of my brothers only asked me once to check out a used computer
that he was thinking of buying for himself.... it was only being used
for making out schedules.... he's a high school football coach... I
gave him my opinion and that was that. He bought it and hasn't
bothered me since. He even offered to pay me for taking the time to
open up the box.... I didn't accept the money!
But what really gets me about my B-I-L and this free computer is it
has NO disks! What's he going to do if it ever asks for the disk?! He
won't go out and buy the OS software either! This just bugs me!
"Keith Heathcote" <kdheathcote@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:bsnh22$ftu$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
> One thing I have learned the hard way.
>
> Never ever sell or service equipment for family or friends
(especially the
> outlaws). They expect Million Dollor service and will not even say
> thankyou.
>
> Case in point, broke my own rule and sold a PC to a friend for Xmas,
rang
> back on boxing day That ##((&&&(* machine is not working.
>
> Brought it around. Found that the son had be playing in the MMC and
deleted
> a partition. Thankgod for recovery software.
>
> Keith
>
>
| |
| Syphillus 2003-12-28, 7:24 pm |
|
>
> But what really gets me about my B-I-L and this free computer is it
> has NO disks! What's he going to do if it ever asks for the disk?! He
> won't go out and buy the OS software either! This just bugs me!
>
face it kathy ..time to get a spine....
if you want to work with technology and you seem to want to...
you need to be the BOSS instead of the doormat...
tell them if they want to play with technology..to either pay up or get the
f*&^ out...
it might seem mean, but on the contrary you are being realistic...
believe me ... i love fixing pc's but when stupid people get in the mix I
really start
hating it... with love i give freely.. with hate I make them pay....
simple....
favors are favors.. getting stepped on is getting stepped on...
--
Syphilus
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.555 / Virus Database: 347 - Release Date: 12/23/2003
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