Generic PC (INTEL PENTIUM E2180 2.00GHz)

ID: PCD03

HISTORY

One of the first computers to be refurbished is a PC tower I build for a customer some years ago. Sadly, the customer passed away and her husband gave me the computer back as it was no longer required. This was a while ago so unfortunately some parts have been cannibalized and used elsewhere. However, the motherboard, processor and RAM are still present.


SPECIFICATIONS

Model: None (Generic Desktop PC)
Year of Manufacturer: 2008
Motherboard: Intel D945GCPE
Chipset: Intel 945GC
Processor: Intel Pentium E2180 2.00GHz Dual Core 64-Bit (Socket 775)
RAM: 2GB DDR2 (2x 1GB 240-Pin DIMM)
Hard Drive(s): Missing
Optical Drive(s): Missing
Graphics: Integrated  (Intel)
Audio: Integrated (Realtek)
Network: Integrated (1Gbps Ethernet)
Power Supply: Missing
Other Features: 1.44MB Floppy Drive, Dial-Up Modem
COA: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 


INITIAL INSPECTION

It's a fairly old computer, and the inclusion of a dial-up modem and floppy drive really shows its age. However, opening the case revealed a dual core processor and 2GB of RAM, which means it could probably run Windows 10. Unfortunately I was disappointed to also find several bad capacitors on the motherboard, which could be a source of major problems. Back when I was regularly building and selling computers, I remember switching to using Intel branded boards in the hope they would be more reliable but with hindsight ASUS may have been a better option. A bigger problem is the lack of hard drive, optical drive and power supply, but I have a lot of redundant parts and hopefully these missing items can be sourced relatively cheaply.

Blown capacitors next to RAM socket

REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS

• The bad electrolytic capacitors were replaced with new low-ESR equivalents (Source: DM Components on eBay)
• I was recently tasked to erase a dozen or so hard drives from a suite of computers decommissioned by a school I work for. After confirming reliability with a read / write test using HDSentinel, I installed a 160GB SATA unit which should be enough capacity for general purpose use.
• I found a Cooler Master 500W PSU in my spare components pile which turned out to be working fine, so installed this in the case.
• I bought a cheap DVD-RW SATA drive from eBay to replace the missing one.

PREPARATION

With the new components fitted, I cleaned the processor fan and applied fresh thermal paste to the heatsink before putting everything back together. The computer turned on and displayed an image, which was a good start. Fortunately, diagnostic tests completed successfully so after flashing the latest BIOS I was ready to start installing an operating system.

SETUP

Windows 10 was installed successfully using an unofficial upgrade method and drivers for all the hardware were either included with the operating system or downloaded automatically from Windows Update. I added some office software, VLC player for playback of DVDs and Google Chrome to complete the installation. I also installed a cheap USB WiFi adapter to add extra value.

PERIPHERALS

I had a spare keyboard, mouse, 17" CRT monitor (Hansol 720E) and Brother all-in-one inprinter which had all been given to me by customers. CRT monitors take up a lot of room and have long been superseded by flat screen alternatives. However, they often offer superior colours, viewing angles and reliability compared to very cheap flat panels. This model from 2002 still works fine and I'm hoping that somebody might be able to get further use out of it.

CONCLUSION

Although performance was initially poor, it improved considerably once all the Windows updates had completely finished installing. It won't be a powerful computer for playing 3D games, but it should allow somebody to get online and send a few E-Mails. I posted the complete package on Freecycle and it was collected and off with its new owner within 24 hours.

Introduction

In summary of why this blog exists:

Many PC computers are being scrapped when they could still be usefully used.

In my job as a self-employed IT technician, many people give me older equipment when they upgrade in the hope that it might be useful to somebody. I want to use some of my resources to recycle as much of that equipment as possible. Focussing mainly on desktop PC units and associated peripherals to start with, I aim to bring the computers to a useful standard and advertise them on my local Freecycle group for collection. I am going to use this blog to document and track progress.

Here are some of the reasons that computers are replaced:

• A hardware fault develops (such as with the motherboard or hard drive). The cost of replacing and fitting new parts needed to repair the computer is quite a large percentage of what a new computer costs, so the owner decides a new computer would be a better option.
• The computer performs poorly. In many cases, the poor performance could be greatly improved by reinstalling Windows and/or adding an SSD (Solid State Drive). However, most computer owners do not understand this and compare the situation to that of an old car that constantly needs large amounts of money spent on it.
• A virus infects the computer and renders it unusable, or a cold call scammer 'hacks' the computer from afar. Like the example above, many computers owners do not understand the distinction between hardware and software problems and assume the entire computer needs replacing.
• The computer is not powerful enough to run a required piece of software.
• Microsoft ends support for the installed operating system, rendering it 'insecure'. Because the cost of upgrading the operating system is quite a large percentage of what a new computer costs, the owner decides a new computer that comes complete with a supported operating system would be a better option.
• A new piece of hardware is purchased that requires a newer operating system, but the cost of upgrading the operating system is quite a large percentage of what a new computer costs, so the owner decides a new computer that comes complete with the required operating system would be a better option.
• The owner of the computer experiences one of the above problems to a degree, but also appreciates the benefits and cheapness of mobile computing, so switches to using a laptop or tablet.

Some of these reasons are certainly valid enough, but the problem with replacement is that it leaves behind a lot of obsolete technology, and lots of it gets thrown into landfill. The interesting thing is that just a few years ago this obsolete technology was current and cost 100's of pounds, but now it has an almost negative value.

What is even more interesting is that despite the lightning pace of technology, little has occurred in the realm of basic, everyday desktop PCs for several years because of the drift towards mobile equipment. This means that even a five year old PC is likely to include specifications that would run Windows 10 and provide adequate performance for web browsing, office / school work, music and E-Mail.

Admittedly, many computers I am given are older than this, so I intend to split them into two main categories:

• Computers featuring a dual core processor, 2GB or more of DDR2 RAM and a SATA hard drive will be candidates for Windows 10. Computers with a legible Windows 7 COA can be installed directly from the Windows 10 install media because the installation routine will accept a Windows 7 product key as part of the free upgrade offer. For those computers without, there is a very effective unofficial upgrade method described here: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-xpvista-to-windows-10-free-upgrade/. I'm not sure if either method will work after 29th July 2016, though.
• Any computer that doesn't meet this specification or cannot be upgraded to Windows 10 will be a candidate for Ubuntu Linux, which is a free and opensource operating system. Ubuntu includes support for a lot of hardware and has a familiar, GUI driven interface.

I aim to pair the computers up with whatever peripheral hardware is available, such as monitors, keyboards, mice and printers.

The basic process for bringing the computers to a good, working condition will be as follows:

• Securely erase the hard drive
• Check the basic operation of the power supply
• Check the basic operation of the motherboard
• Clean the cooling system
• Check stability of hard drive and RAM with diagnostic tests
• Update system BIOS
• Install a suitable operating system and associated driver software
• Install appropriate browser and office software
• Check the basic operation of sound and network functions
• Check the basic operation of any bundled peripherals

If any hardware proves to be faulty, it will be repaired or replaced where possible. In situations where this is not possible, the remaining good hardware will be broken up and used to repair other computers.