O.T. Computer Question
 

I know very little about computers, but many of you are experts.

My 2 year old Laptop Compaq Presario 2100 is acting funny... Sometimes you have to reboot it a couple times before it recognizes the DVD/CD Rom drives presence. This concerns me because I run my business off this unit and don't need the headache, so I am planning to replace it. I see laptops advertised in the $1200-$1500 that should run my quickbooks software OK, but I don't want something that is going to start acting up in 2 years.... What should I look for? How much should I plan to spend to get a decent machine?
Thanks,
Bill

Did you try sometging like this? Toshiba and others have that too...

http://catalog.us.dell.com/advisor/advise.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&adv=NBAdvisor

Thanks, didn't know about that... I have have never bought from Dell before.... always liked getting stuff from a store I could go back to rather than mail order.... Office Depot once gave me full credit toward trade in on a laptop that was 6 months old when the memory started going haywire.... I will look at that link some... Toshiba...

FWIW, I've had good luck with Dell. I build all of my desktops, but I've used Dell for my last 3 laptops. I've had zero problems. I've never had to return anything, but a friend of mine has, and he says they were very easy to deal with.

-Chris

I like Dell desktops quite a bit (including the one I am typing on now) but their laptops are not my favorites. I just went through the laptop shopping game and bought an IBM. Their laptops division was bought by Lenovo, a Chinese Co., but they will remain badged IBM and they claim they will stay true to IBM...

I bought a T43 (there are several models to consider depending on your needs) as a replacement for a 6-year old IBM which was rock solid. For what it is worth, I like it quite a bit. A few parts are even titanium to lessen the unsprung mass...

Happy shopping.

Toshibas are supposed to be some of the best, most reliable laptops. A friend of mine has his own little computer company and he relabels ChemBooks. They're supposed to have nothing but the best quality components, and you can buy them direct, too.

Fry's has unbelievable pricing on computer stuff, and I've heard they're outstanding on replacing stuff with the optional warranty purchased.

2 years and most computers are obsolete. I believe good desktop, for all the grunge stuff and laptop for the mobile requirements. I use old PIII for laptop, with XP Pro, wireless network in the home to access all the important stuff. Also I can leave the desktop running 24/7, good for file downloads etc.

if you're looking for a laptop that you can kick around/drive over, generally move from one place to another like a frisbee:
http://www.deskeng.com/Articles/Applications/Bulletproof-Performers-2004070131.html

I work for IBM. All the magazines that review such things consider IBM (now Lenovo) laptops to be the best make. This is unusual treatment for IBM anything.

http://www-131.ibm.com/content/home/store_LNV_PublicUSA/en_US/featuredproduct.html

What if you cleared the hard drive and reloaded Windows, do you think that might take care of the problem?

Steve,
I restored the settings to last week, and it has worked fine so far. Been burning a bunch of old Vinyl LP's to CD and perhaps there was a software glitch... will see what happens. Still, I am listening to the advice given here for future reference. Thanks

I have had the same problem before. I has to do with the connector or the bracket keeping the DVD in place. It is slipping a bit and this causes the system to miss it sometimes on Boot up or even during use. Dell can repair this. You might still be in warrenty. I would try fixing first before messing with dumping it or reloading everything. Most likely, they will have to replace the lower part of the case.

Bill;
ping me offline to discuss this further, but for what it's worth, IF you're going to buy a laptop, my .$02..
I do some amount of 'specialty' desktop support here in this concrete cave, and I work with different federal folks' communications requirements on a fairly regular basis.
I've seen most all the major brands of laptops go thru here, and if I were spending MY money and it DIDN'T have to be a mil-spec hardened machine, I'd buy an IBM. They still seem to be the cadillac of laptops; stainless hinges, more substantial magniesum chassis, etc...they just seem to hold up better, hardware-wise.
SOFTWARE-wise...in the x86-architecture, wind-doze worl:...govno!,.....just get used to being able to tweak, port, polish, weld, mill, drill, jet and replace any and all software components to include reloading the OS and the constant struggle against spyware/malware/worms/trojans/viruses. Driver conflicts, patch updates that blow up stuff...that's life in the 0-1 zone....and macs do thier own goofy stuff, and unless you're a total geek and speak korn shell, bourne shell, perl, can write C and utilize a C compiler and love vi, don't fall for that linux propaganda....hehehehehe...linux for end users..the best oxymoron I've heard in a fair bit.
Man, spare yourself some grief and have a cheap desktop built ans pend all that extra money you'd pop for a fragile tempramental laptop and go riding!!

Jony, youv'e got mail