Scalple nurse... QUICK!!!

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 01:20 AM

Hey all,

I just proccured a laptop from my cousin who was about to throw it away. I've given it to the weekend to show itself worthy of its saving before I give it to a friend (well hey I'm not going to throw a laptop away!).

So I need your peoples help getting this thing working well. So far I know the manufacturer (I had to run an FCC ID because it has no markings on it).

It's a Nan Tan Computer Co
496DX2 66Mhz
8mbs memory
640x480 VGA display
win95 (looks like it was just updated from 3.1)
3.5 drive
28.8k US robitics card (with no card to phone cord dohicky)
cd rom controller card (with no CD-rom)
550mb HD

Here's the story. When I first got it I got something like 12 errors booting. I worked on it for a few hours and got them all to go away, and now it boots in just under 1 1/2 minutes

I then removed all this junk (AOL) and got it from 70 or so megs free to 183mbs free

Well Its sorta grown on me so now I want to save it.

The probs...

1.)The screen's hinges are busted (I'll post a pic soon), this is not a major concern, but would it be possible for me to build a new screen holder thing?

2.)the batteries do not charge. This means its only good if I plug it into the wall with the adapter. This is a major concern, and probably the deciding factor to if I keep it or not. The batteries seem to be in decent condition, but hey they gotta be like 6-8 years old at least. Is their any way for me to fix these recharable batteries? I think what may have happend is their memory has gotten all screwy and they think they are charged. When I have the laptop unlpuged I can press the powerbutton and the lights to flash quick before it goes out again.

3.)cd-rom. Does any one have an external laptop cdrom hanging around???

4.)memory. 8mbs bites! I mean I've configured it a bit so it runs ok, but more would surely help out. Where can I get some cheap??? I mean few dollars range???

I'd really like to just have this thing so I can play duke3d and doom inbetween classes at college

Can you guys give me some pointers or ideas???

Oh, and one last thing this thing needs a name. I usually name my PC's after starships in star trek, wingcomander (the games), or after constallations. Its given the temporary designation of 1337 n 7r4n1ng, but really theres not much 1337 about a 486...

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 01:34 AM

ok, I've been looking around and I found out Nan Tan changed to Kapok or something like that which was changed to Clevo! So now I just need to get a model number!

nunyadam · January 19th, 2003, 01:51 AM

Q1.)The screen's hinges are busted (I'll post a pic soon), this is not a major concern, but would it be possible for me to build a new screen holder thing?

A.)Duct tape.

Q2.)the batteries do not charge. This means its only good if I plug it into the wall with the adapter.

A.) there dead and will stay that way. Replacments are expensive.

Q3.)cd-rom. Does any one have an external laptop cdrom hanging around???

A.)Not I (I do have one for a toshiba that slides into a floppycase it won't work in.)

Q4.)memory. 8mbs bites!

A.) It sure does.

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 01:55 AM

well your responces were both useless, and amusing.

thanks...

skuz · January 19th, 2003, 01:55 AM

You can get some cheap 30 pins RAM sticks (if that's what you need) on ebay.

Look for the 4 MB ones.

I got some for my mother a few months ago.

BobOmega · January 19th, 2003, 01:58 AM

i felt bad as well i had a workign 386 laptop that i played like doom on and that battery was very good i coudl get hours off it. then i (stupidly) let it sit and hosed the battery.

good luck to you man

also duct tape always improves the l33t ness of a laptop

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 01:59 AM

so was that what laptops used back then? Are they special ram sticks (smaller then normal ram or something???)

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 02:01 AM

LOL, I was hopeing for a better solution for then duct tape... I'll post a pic. Perhaps some creative ducttaping would work though...

When you say you let it site and you hosed the battery, what do you mean? If they sit for a while they die???

cunokyle · January 19th, 2003, 02:05 AM

I have a laptop that has a card for ram. It is a 8MB card! Oh...I have 850MB hard drive in mine, but I have a 33.6kb/s modem! Has Win95 as well! I always have to reset my bios when I turn mine on because it will not save the video or HD information! Got to love those old laptops!

Bob The Great · January 19th, 2003, 02:08 AM

LOL Actually mine runs perfectly cept its a little slow and the battery prob. They shouldn't be to expensive, it takes two 1800mAh battery's. At least I hope its not expensive....Please don't be expensive!