Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
What to do with old HP laptop
Old 05-01-2019, 01:28 PM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,605
What to do with old HP laptop

Hi All,

Have an old HP Pavilion dv6500 running Vista Home Premium (circa 2007) with 2 GB memory and 150 GB hard drive ... it has a large screen and has always been reliable ... gave up on replacing battery long ago, though.

I want to keep it as it has all the now unusual interfaces in one machine - and, it has files that while I have backed up, another location isn't a bad idea.

Came up again, after we tried to replace a key to our Saab convertible - eventually found a local guy to do it, but I had researched it and found an XP machine to be useful.

Many of the usual search engines and various bits of software don't do well with that particular OS ...

What are my options to switching OS to something that while old, would still be compatible?

Thanks!
stephenson is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 05-01-2019, 01:33 PM   #2
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,877
How does researching a Saab convertible key make an OS version useful?
GrayHare is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 01:53 PM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,605
Good question!

Lost a key ...the Tech 2 device interfaces with a database called GlobalTIS in order to obtain security access to enable to Tech 2 to marry the new key to the car via the current key.

Usually not a biggie cause someone is in the business of doing this - I initially worked through dealer to local indie shops for foreign cars ... since there aren't many of these cars around anymore, no one locally had the PCMCIA card for the Saab.

I was considering just buying all the gear myself - OEM versions through the GM system (last real owner of Saab) are at least $1000 ... new knockoffs work, but even they are $300ish, plus requires a couple of add on devices, cables for both the car and connection to a computer ... simplest connection was to a Windows machine running XP (and some software knowhow to crack and fix the code) ... there are other options like emulating Windows on my Mac, but that sounded even more painful.

Anyway ... found a locksmith in town that has stayed up on all this - key is on order ($200) ... another $50 to code and cut. He says late model Mercedes are running $700-900 ...

Fun story though ...
stephenson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 02:29 PM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
gauss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,594
I have had good luck ordering keyblanks on eBay. Programming them is a separate issue.
gauss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 02:31 PM   #5
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: St. Charles
Posts: 3,903
What to do with old HP laptop

Back to the original question. My answer is: retire it, and keep in reserve for the RARE occasion you will need the old interfaces. That's what I did with my 9y/o HP.

Got a new machine with SSD hard drive. Boots in 10-15 seconds.

A few weeks ago I pulled out the old one, just for kicks. At least 3 minutes to boot (I didn't time it, so it could be longer), and SLOW, compared to the new one. At some point in time I will probably try to wipe the system and re-install an operating system just to use it for web browsing.
__________________
If your not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
Never slow down, never grow old!
CardsFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 02:41 PM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,605
Cardsfan,

Yep, that is kind of what I was thinking, but question is which OS? Vista is a dead end.

gauss,

Yes, can get the keys - many, many, many are not OEM, and while some do work, most are trying to work their way through the remain stock of Saab OEM keys ... not sure if someone is producing them under contract. Orio is the supplier. Sniff ... car is 2010 Vert is bright red with black and ivory leather - has been very reliable - never anything broken - did have to get airbag replaced under recall.

Programming is pretty straightforward, but the cost of the device and the security access is kinda silly, especially given the low cost of electronics. Can see why dealers love it, though.
stephenson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2019, 03:53 PM   #7
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
bjorn2bwild's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Western US
Posts: 1,205
I had good results upgrading an old Win XP computer to Win 8.1 pro via the Win 8 pro upgrade route.
The process I used was to clone the original drive and update to that, keeping the old drive as a fail-safe.
I used Win 8 pro upgrade software that I purchased from a reputable dealer on ebay.
Next, I removed as much of the add-on software as possible then upgraded directly to Win 8.1 pro (get iso from Windows Media Creation Tool and burn disc) using the Win 8 pro upgrade Key Code.
Finally, I installed the old software via Win XP mode.
I still use it regularly with no problems out of the ordinary.
bjorn2bwild is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question for my old funky laptop easysurfer Other topics 22 03-13-2012 08:55 AM
Old Laptop as Print Server TromboneAl Other topics 15 01-10-2012 05:37 PM
How old is your laptop? modhatter Other topics 69 02-12-2011 12:01 PM
Using an Old Laptop bongo2 Other topics 5 12-05-2005 11:43 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:22 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.