AMD Turion X2 mobile processor - worth repairing?

[Karsten75]

My gardener's helper brought me a laptop and asked for help getting it into shape. His job description should give you an idea of his earnings level, so I'd really like to help him out if possible.

However, frankly, I think whoever sold him this thing mugged him.

The System is an HP Pavillion DV2000, Specific model DV2416us, with a Microsoft COA for Windows Vista.

The laptop has an AMD Turion X2 processor at 1800 MHz and 2GB of RAM.

No hard drive.

I can't seem to order recovery software from the HP site. I guess I can install something like Linux Mint, but first I'd have to source a 2.5" hard drive.

I can get a refurb 250GB hard drive for about $25.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAY946C1098

Is this even worth it?

 

[Petarded]

Depends on what he wants to use it for? I'd be tempted to stick a 120gb SSD drive in and Linux. Would be fast enough to browse web ect.

 

[Pentium4User]

IF the laptop on the outside is in good shape then yeah why not if it has a lot of scratches cracked plastics warn plastic then no.... the hardrive is $25 but if you can I would install 4 gb of ram so it can run better with 64 bit.

 

[BadAsAl]

You don't need recovery media, just a Vista install disk. You can probably download an ISO and burn it to DVD and use that to install on the laptop once you get the hard drive. The COA key will be needed during install.

 

[Karsten75]

You don't need recovery media, just a Vista install disk. You can probably download an ISO and burn it to DVD and use that to install on the laptop once you get the hard drive. The COA key will be needed during install.

I'm worried about drivers, etc.

Now that the digital River site doesn't offer the windows downloads, any idea where I can D/L a legit ISO from?

 

[BadAsAl]

You can download all the drivers from HP.com for that model. At first it didn't show any drivers which was weird, but then I hit the change button and it showed them...

I haven't looked for a Vista ISO in a while so I don't know where to download it, sorry. But you can find vendors on eBay selling Vista reinstall disks for pretty cheap.

 

[Karsten75]

IF the laptop on the outside is in good shape then yeah why not if it has a lot of scratches cracked plastics warn plastic then no.... the hardrive is $25 but if you can I would install 4 gb of ram so it can run better with 64 bit.

I guess you might be unaware that the maximum supported memory for that laptop is 2GB? I hope a less experienced user doesn't take the advice you offer.

 

[Petarded]

SSD will be enough of a boost in performance to use for everyday tasks! If it has windows sticker with code on use that and download iso. (only if windows a must)

 

[BadAsAl]

IF the laptop on the outside is in good shape then yeah why not if it has a lot of scratches cracked plastics warn plastic then no.... the hardrive is $25 but if you can I would install 4 gb of ram so it can run better with 64 bit.

I guess you might be unaware that the maximum supported memory for that laptop is 2GB? I hope a less experienced user doesn't take the advice you offer.

Good catch...
Sometimes it can go over what it says it can take but might not be worth the gamble.

 

[Pentium4User]

IF the laptop on the outside is in good shape then yeah why not if it has a lot of scratches cracked plastics warn plastic then no.... the hardrive is $25 but if you can I would install 4 gb of ram so it can run better with 64 bit.

I guess you might be unaware that the maximum supported memory for that laptop is 2GB? I hope a less experienced user doesn't take the advice you offer.

apparently a little mistake is a mortal sin in the description you should of put maximum support is 2gb of ram instead you should give the laptop back you apparently you think you need to use a recovery media to install windows when you can just use the product key under the laptop with another windows vista disk I thought you just wanted to save money since Linux is free I hope less experienced customer doesn't do service with you.