Ruggedized laptops questions

The VR2 you referenced is NOT a toughbook. It is a GoBook. That is what I was referring to - The first part of my post was a direct quote from a General Dynamics brochure for the VR2 series.

Qualify that with "some" or perhaps "most" - definitely not "all" - on one or the other counts.

The term "Dell from Hell" comes from those exceptions. Those that use non-standard parts - and particularly if the label is worn so you can't read the service ID number or whatever they call it. You can have 15 dell computers (in certain cases) with the identical model code, and all 15 can be different inside. Different Wifi card, different bluetooth, different video, - giving a combination right there of 9 different combinations. - then different screens too - and often more than just 2 options on several of the components.

Means you can't just oder a bluetooth for a model X and get the right part. Sure, it might fit - but then you need to go searching for the right driver because the pre-install on the system is for a "different computer" so does not have the driver you need.

Been there, done that, and wore out the t-shirt.

Perhaps there is a good reason certain used parts are so plentifull? Beyond the fact that there are more lease returns than there is a market for.

I guess that I've been lucky so far. I've repaired about 15 with no issues. Mostly keyboards, upgrades and a few motherboards.

I've heard that the consumer line is much worse for that than the business models. Except for the CPU and video the options in my Dell collection are on plug-in cards that can be swapped around. I have an extra 2.5GHz T9300 CPU to install if one of them really needs it.

DXDIAG will save a list of all your hardware and its installed drivers. The Yip guides I mentioned are good references for what should be installed. I keep track of my progress by editing the DXDAG report.

--jsw

Gunner, I would be interested in one of the toughbooks with WinXP on it. I keep a laptop out in the shop along side of my machine to load programs from. The keyboards take a lot of abuse form dirt out there.

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Randy

Remove 333 to reply. Randy

Gee, another week or so and you might earn enough to get the truck out of the repair shop.

Any more available?

Remove 333 to reply. Randy