fixing dead computer

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I have a Dell Inspiron 2200 laptop that gradually died. Before it went completely kaput I ran a diagnostics test and got:

DTS Short Test Fail
Error Code 1000-0146
Unit 0: DST log contains previous errors


A few of the breakdown symptoms:

[All of these symptoms were progressive. They began intermttently, and gradually became permanent. They did not start all at once, but rather one after another.]

Numbers did not work (except for 5&6 and characters)
Some letters stopped working (but not all)
DVD would not play but CD would.
Internet connection could not be detected.


Tried to reinstall windows.
Would not allow me to reinstall XP (after deleting partitions). Could not get past 40% of files loaded.

So OK- I REPLACED THE HARD DRIVE

XP would not install off DVD.(hmm) But it seemed ok with a CD. Thought maybe a bad DVD. Got install going ok until I came to part where you have to enter product registration code. Found out numbers still don't work (except 5&6 and characters) (more hmmm). [Incidentally, I tested the DVD on another machine and it is ok.]

Any ideas? CPU? Memory? Motherboard?

I realize that this an old machine and have already purchased a replacement. But new computer is used for business and not always available at home. Would love to have another to be available at home. If I can fix it for under about $200, it's worth it to me. Hard drive cost me $68. A new computer runs a lot more, and I don't require any more than what this old one used to be.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Hello and welcome to MG Support forums!
You say you have a dell laptop well have you tried ringing dell support up?
They should be able to help for free unless your guarantee has expired, if in your case the guarantee has expired then i'm sure they can still fix it but for a certain fee of course.

Dacads

 

Computer is out of warranty. Know a few people who've had horrible experiences with Dell support. I'd rather avoid the aggravation. (New computer is NOT a Dell). Plus, I kinda like the challenge and experience of doing it myself (with forum support of course!). Any ideas?

 

From the problems you've described, and the fact that you've already spent $68 on a hard drive, I think you're at a point where you have to decide if it's worth it to keep throwing money at the laptop. At the very least, you need a keyboard (about $20-$30 on ebay) and an optical drive ($25-$60 or more on ebay), and possibly some type of internet connection (USB to ethernet adapter, USB wifi, PCMCIA ethernet or wifi, etc; about $20-$40 at PC stores). Parts alone add up to about $70 on the low end, over $120 on the high end, plus a minimum of 1-2 hours of serious aggravated surgery (and that's if everything works on the 1st try) plus software install and configuration time. And what if all these parts don't fix the PC???? Then what??? If you buy the parts on Ebay (or even locally if possible) you probably won't be able to return 'em. You're at a crossroads: the PC is old enough to where they are dirt cheap on ebay. I checked. You should be able to pick up a working PC with similar specs, with Windows XP and all drivers installed, at your local used PC shop for under $300 easily, with a warranty included. It's something to think about..... but if you can get parts for free, and you have lots of time on your hands, and you don't get frustrated and aggravated easily, then maybe PC surgery will work for you....

 

Thank you. Here's a bit more info.

I replaced the HD because when I googled error code 1000-0146 all results indicated a hard drive failure. Even Dell's site referred to this. When I say that these symptoms happened gradually, I may have misspoke. They did not happen all at once, but they did happen rather quickly- over a period of 2 to 3 days. All symptoms started as intermittent (I could clear them up with a reboot or 2 or 3 or 4), then became permanent. Also, system restore would not work. (I don't recall the message, but it would not allow me to restore). I have had computer apart and taken keyboard out and cleaned it with a little compressed air. Connection is solid. External keyboard worked (usb) before, but I still have to try it w/ new HD. (Keyboard belongs to my kids and I have to borrow it when they're not using it. Ha. Wish me luck.) Sound disappeared for internet before whole connection went out. (This happened a few weeks or more before everything else and reboot did not help.) Device Manager had a lot of sound devices, but I didn't know which one pertained to internet, so I uninstalled and reinstalled all, and updated drives on all (none needed updating.) No help. Beeps, etc. still worked. Sound on cds and the like worked. As far as internet connection, first wireless went out, then cable. Wireless did not show up at all in Device Manager. Cable showed up in device manager with "device working properly" but did not work. A few boots later it did not show up in DM at all. I tried the MG "Read and Run Me First" all to no avail. One of the programs would not run but I don't recall which.

Maybe multiple parts went at same time. How common is that? It all just seemed to be hard drive related, but I'm a novice so what do I know?

As for cost. Yes it is a factor. But I have been challenged, and I will not back down w/o a fight. I wouldn't buy a used computer unless it was from someone I know. Local used computer shop does not exist. I live in a rural area with few stores around. (Walmart and Best Buy just got to a town 45 minutes away and have caused quite a stir.) New computer was just over $500 (cheapest Best Buy had). Even netbooks are over 500. So even if old one costs more than $200 to fix, it's still cheaper. Yeah, I know I can get a lot more computing power etc. in a new system, but the old one was more than I ever needed. All I do is surf the web, store photos, and use Word. Don't need much for that. Plus I'd have the benefit of experience... and victory.

Hope this help. Thanks again.

 

Have found this comment pertaining to your model amognst 134 posts of other Dell models elsewhere....................
i own a computer service center and we see more broken dells than ANY other manufacturer! why? dells policy is swap/return for parts this works great for quick turnaround but if your powersupply is failing and it kills your cpu you could go through 5 swaps before you con dell into replacing the part that was actualy bad!. Also for you defenders of dells hardware. its crap period. get a compag/hp unit and a optiplex from dell order them the same specs and then bechmark them and open them up. the hp/compaq is better all around better chipset, hard drive, ECT… I know because we did a job for a large company and deployed 20 of each the compaqs loaded the software and were up in about 15min per box the dell's of the same spec took 28~45min AND within 2 months 4/20 FAILED the hp/compaq units are still running happy. (the company no longer buys dell anything) moral of the story DELL HAS ALOT TO LEARN ABOUT BUILDING QUALITY RELIABLE HARDWARE. If you have to trust it get an IBM or hp/compaq Business pc

 

New compurt is NOT a Dell, it's a Toshiba. Picked it because it was least expensive, and not a Dell. So far, so good. Previously had Compaq and was not happy, but was very happy with an HP. Maybe now Compaq is better since HP took over.

 

Woops lol had me 65th Birthday last week and its already telling ..