Generic PC (INTEL CELERON D 331 2.66GHZ)

ID: PCD04

HISTORY

This desktop PC was probably supplied by a local firm, as it does not seem to bear any manufacturer markings. It's built in a typical black computer case and doesn't look like anything particularly special. I took it away for recycling after setting up it's replacement (a refurbished Windows 10 unit). It was in a working condition, but was very slow.


INITIAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: None (Generic Desktop PC)
Year of Manufacturer: 2007 (Estimate)
Motherboard: ASROCK 775I65G (REV G/A 2.04)
Chipset: INTEL 865G
Processor: INTEL CELERON D 331 2.66GHz 64-Bit (Socket 775)
RAM: 2GB DDR (2x 1GB 184-Pin DIMM)
Hard Drive(s): 160GB SATA
Optical Drive(s): DVD-RW
Graphics: Integrated (Intel)
Audio: Integrated (C-Media)
Network: Integrated (100Mbps Ethernet)
USB: 2.0 (2 Front, 6 Rear)
Power Supply: Colorsit 400W
Other Features: None
COA: None


INITIAL INSPECTION

The outside of the computer didn't show anything a miss but removing the side panel revealed some bad capacitors on the motherboard that would need replacing. In addition, the power supply fan had completely seized up. With a single core processor and original DDR RAM, this would probably run Linux better than Windows 10.


REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS

• 1000uF and 1500uF motherboard capacitors were replaced.
• The bearings in the power supply fan were lubricated.
• The DVD drive would not read disks reliably. I tried cleaning the lens in the drive several times (both via disassembly and cleaning disks) but in the end it had to be replaced.

PREPARATION

The recap was a success and the computer started up first time. Further diagnostics on RAM and hard drive did not reveal any further problems, so I was ready to proceed with the setup.

SETUP

I thought Linux would be ideal for this system. With an older but 64-Bit capable processor and plenty of RAM, I expected Ubuntu to work fine. However, I was proved completely wrong - performance was terrible. I'm not sure if this was down to the integrated Intel graphics or just inadequate processing power, but it certainly was not usable. I tried an older version of Ubuntu and even the special 'Lubuntu' lightweight build, but graphics was still unacceptably 'laggy'. In the end I gave up and installed Windows XP using a key I extracted from the registry before wiping the hard drive. This worked much better, especially when the 'Color quality' setting was lowered to 16-Bit, and the 'Classic' theme was enabled. Opera still has a version of their browser that works on XP, and this proved to be the best option in this case.

CONCLUSION

I don't have any peripherals to give away with this system, so it will be offered as a 'tower only' computer for somebody to use with their existing monitor, keyboard and mouse. It would certainly be of use for word processing, E-Mail (through a client such as Outlook Express), basic use of Google, listening to music offline or photo storage, but I think modern web apps like Facebook or Outlook.com would be probably be too slow for regular use.