# My SO found a Dell laptop. I need advice. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2005, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655 "2005-03-09T10:24:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/1 "2005-03-09T10:24:36Z")
That’s right, she FOUND it, on or near the sidewalk, right around here somewhere. I don’t know if someone stole it and then ditched it for some reason, or if someone got so frustrated by it that they pulled over and left it to become someone else’s problem, or what. At any rate she gave it to me, thinking I might know something about it, but I don’t. I just have webtv and am computer illiterate. It’s been sitting here for months. Okay, it’s a Dell and of course I don’t have a manual. I can’t even search out a place to put batteries in the thing.It’s sort of beat up and the screen has some fine faint scratches on it. I don’t have a ruler or tape, but I estimate the screen to be approx 8 by 6 inches. I tried the Dell site, but that just confused my non-computerized brain. I tried googling for repair shops in the area(walk in shops) where they might be able to at least laugh at me and tell me to throw the thing in a dumpster, but apparently they don’t exist here or in three surrounding towns. Here’s all I can glean from the sticker on the bottom of it. Model #: SYS320LT Serial#: OABJB Date of Mfg: 01/07/91 Volts: 16 VDC Amps: 2.3 DOC Class: B FCC No.: E2K320LT I would like to know where to put batteries and if it’s possible to get a manual. If for some reason my description tells you it’s just junk, please tell me. ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/2 "2005-03-09T10:43:48Z")
In order to get Dell or anyone else to ethically support you, you must contact Dell, and the local police, and make some attempt to give this computer back to its owner. Making the assumption that the owner does not want the computer back, Dell will give you information on the unit if you ask them. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/3 "2005-03-09T11:29:12Z")
- - - Ummm, any laptop manufactured in **1991** was very very likely abandoned (think about this: what MS OS were computers running in 1991? 😃 ). It is probably broken and they tossed it because they could not find anywhere to get it repaired economically, or (also very possibly) the batteries died and there is no source for new ones. Any computer made in 1991 is trash, don’t feel guilty for keeping it. - Now then: I have a free-laptop story as well. A friend bought a used Dell Lattitude CPi from its previous owner some time ago. It worked for a number of months then simply stopped; the power/HD lights only blink off and on when you press the power switch. He asked me for help with fixing it, and after a couple weeks of searching online, I didn’t have any except to tell him to go buy a new one with a warranty. I knew the HD was not bad as he had me hook that up to another home PC on an adaptor to save some files off it. …The computer was made in 1998 IIRC, and there was _nobody_ in the St Louis area that would repair it. Nobody had any source of parts. I did not find any business dealing in cannibalization parts, only individual sellers on eBay, which I don’t trust. So for practical purposes there is nowhere to get parts at all. The only places that did repairs were in CA, were mail-business only and wanted $85 just for a repair estimate, IIRC. And shipping both ways would have cost $30+. These laptops in fully-working order trade for $250 at local computer shows. And this laptop is from 1998, seven years newer than what you have. ~ ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/4 "2005-03-09T12:29:08Z")
Agreed that if it’s 1991 it’s garbage and not worth your time. Just off the top of my head, I’d think that at best it would be a 486, with maybe 8 mb of ram, maybe running windows 3.11. Most likely just running DOS. It is garbage. You can’t run anything on it… well, maybe ancient wordstar and lynx for text-based internet fun. If it’s stolen, the thief is an idiot, and the owner is relieved hehe. I’d throw it away, or better yet, recycle it. It’s not worth another minute of your time. ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/5 "2005-03-09T12:48:08Z")
Yeah, that’s about what I expected, so I guess I’ll just toss it unless someone convinces me that it’s a priceless antique, and I’ve never heard of that in the fast-changing world of PCs. So thanks, guys. I’m actually relieved that I don’t have to go through the hassle of finding out what’s wrong with it, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/6 "2005-03-09T13:21:33Z")
Just for curiosity’s sake, here are the [specifications for your antique Dell 320LT laptop](http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/dta/320LT/00000009.htm): ```auto Microprocessor Microprocessor type 80386-SX Microprocessor speeds 20/8 MHz Math coprocessor (optional) 80387SX Math coprocessor speeds 20 MHz I/O bus speed 8 MHz Data bus width 16 bits DMA channels 7 Interrupt levels 15 Programmable timer channels 3 Memory Architecture page mode Wait states near 0 Installed RAM 1 or 2 MB* Maximum system board RAM 8 MB Maximum system RAM 8 MB Memory access time 70 ns tRAC 70 ns tCAC 25 ns Expanded memory support: Hardware LIM 3.2 Software LIM 4.0 * See Memory. Ports Serial (1) DB9-pin connector Parallel (1) DB25-hole connector VGA (1) 15-hole connector Keyboard (1) 6-pin micro-DIN External diskette (1) 40-pin card strip Future expansion (1) 100-pin card strip DC power (1) 3-pin tubular connector Modem connector 2 RJ-11 jacks Video Port 15 pin (external) Resolution: Maximum internal 640 x 480 Maximum external 800 x 600 Compatibility register and BIOS VGA BIOS path 16-bit Data path 16-bit Display Manufacturer Sharp Model LM641485 Type backlit double supertwist LCD Battery Real-time clock battery double A size cell 3.6-V lithium Main battery 16-V NiCad pack 2 hr Reserve battery 9.6-V NiCad pack 2 min Battery charge time: Quick charge 2 hr Trickle charge 8 hr Expansion Slots 1 8-bit half-length Power Supply Type auto switching AC/DC converter Wattage 53 W Voltage input 120 V at 60 Hz/220 V at 50 Hz Voltage output 16 VDC Keyboard: Internal 83-key keyboard External PS/2-type 6 pin Installable Drives Diskette drive (1) 1 inch high (3.5 inch 1.44 MB only) Hard drive (1) 1 inch high Physical Height 3.25 inches Width 12.75 inches Depth 14.25 inches Weight 14.8 lb (including battery) AC adapter weight 2.38 lb Replaceable battery weight 27 oz ``` ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/7 "2005-03-09T13:29:59Z")
Man, that thing’s a beast! 1 _ **or** _ 2 MB or RAM? 20 MHz ain’t nothing to sneeze at either. I remember playing Wing Commander on my old 20 MHz 386 SX. I’d try selling it on eBay. You might even make your listing fee back. ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/8 "2005-03-09T17:36:57Z")
You’ve heard those stories about how $500 bills aren’t worth Bill Gates’ time to bend over and pick them up? Well, that laptop wasn’t worth **your** time to bend over and pick up. 😃 (Although I probably would have grabbed it too. Back before big ugly heatsinks had to be glued to the CPUs, they were often made shiny and pretty as an Intel advertisement. Rip it out, glue a magnet to the back of it, and stick it on your fridge) ---
**Author:** ![Church\_Key\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Church\_Key\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Church_Key_Kid)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/9 "2005-03-09T18:53:10Z")
I think that to morally CYA… you should at least get it running and make sure there are no documents that the original owner might want. Maybe they have some important information that they could never get off because the floppy drive broke or it can’t get on the internet. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/10 "2005-03-09T20:51:31Z")
> [@fatdave](#): > > I think that to morally CYA… you should at least get it running and make sure there are no documents that the original owner might want. > > Maybe they have some important information that they could never get off because the floppy drive broke or it can’t get on the internet. > > Just a thought. Well **fatdave,** if I had unlimited funds I might do that. That’s very much less than the case, however, so off to the PC knackers it goes. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/11 "2005-03-09T21:09:42Z")
I certainly wouldn’t spend any money trying to fix it, but you might be able to get it started by plugging in a power adapter. See if you have one around that meets the specs you found on it : “Volts: 16 VDC Amps: 2.3”. if it runs, you might find something to ID the owner. Then, as **galt** suggests, make fridge magnets. the individual keys work just as well as the CPU and other chips. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/12 "2005-03-09T22:04:40Z")
- - - The only thing you might do with it is that if you wished to be nosy, you could try hooking up the hard drive to another PC to view what’s on it. Just copy all the files off at once, it will only be a few hundred megs at the most. -And this is assuming that the hard drive is not already non-functional, of course. Many files may need to be viewed with their attendant programs, and those programs would be Win3.11-era, that can be a bit of a challenge to run on XP but it can usually be done. Warning: you need a special $4 adaptor for this, and you **must** get it put on the correct way, or else you will destroy the PC’s mobo when you power up… ~ ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/13 "2005-03-09T22:26:44Z")
> [@rjk](#): > > I certainly wouldn’t spend any money trying to fix it, but you might be able to get it started by plugging in a power adapter. See if you have one around that meets the specs you found on it : “Volts: 16 VDC Amps: 2.3”. I would totally do this. (Make sure the amperage of your adapter meets or exceeds the required, or you may break your adapter though. It’s what did mine in. :() +/- 15% voltage would probably work ok too. If you have an inkjet type printer, external flatbed scanner, or portable television, those types of things usually have adapters in the ballpark range of what you need to turn it on. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/14 "2005-03-10T02:26:35Z")
I always give my old worthless crap to a school or library. If nothing else they might be able to use it as a prop in a stage play. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/15 "2005-03-10T02:41:05Z")
Call the Smithsonian and tell 'em you’ve got one of their exhibits. Good post, **audiobottle** 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/16 "2005-03-10T14:28:50Z")
> [@DougC](#): > > Warning: you need a special $4 adaptor for this, and you **must** get it put on the correct way, or else you will destroy the PC’s mobo when you power up… > ~ How about you abuy a [15 dollar external laptop adaptor](http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-841&depa=0), and **not** blow up your MB? Since you only need it once, you can then send it to me, as part of [Freecycle.](http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclebaltimore/) ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/17 "2005-03-10T14:30:00Z")
That last line was meant to have a smiley after it, to show that I wasn’t really asking for 15 dollars worth of stuff free. ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-so-found-a-dell-laptop-i-need-advice/293655/18 "2005-03-10T16:35:44Z")
Thanks again everyone, but I’m putting it in my SO’s trunk in a little while, and she can take it to Goodwill or the library or maybe a school, as was mentioned before. I’m just tired of it sitting around here taking up space. I found out what I wanted to know from you intelligent, strange, friendly geeks.