Need new laptop, won't buy Vista.

[travelingtypist]

Have a Dell Inspiron E1505 I bought from their scratch-and-dent outfit two years ago in June. I use it for work and have beaten the crap out of it. It has been having sound issues. I transcribe audio files and sometimes when I'm typing, the last key I hit will repeat 25 or 30 times, sssssssssssssssssssssss.
I just had the hard drive wiped and the XP reinstalled and I'm still having the problem, although not as bad.

Must replace ASAP, but all of the local retailers, BestBuy, et cetera, only sell Vista machines. As stated, I won't buy a Vista computer.

So I have an XP Home CD with a valid product key. Where can I get a new laptop with no operating system?

Help!

[Why Syzygy]

1. You can order a Gateway with XP SP3.

http://www.gateway.com

http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668265.php

[travelingtypist]

2. That 8-inch screen is too small.

I use this machine for work. Am not finding a way to define the
search criteria on that web site.

Thanks tho.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Try this one

http://www.gateway.com/systems/category/529598015.php?cmpid=topnav_shop

[travelingtypist]

4. That link takes me to the general page, the one that confused me.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be such a dumdum today.

[Why Syzygy]

5. It should take you to the main page for notebooks.

There's a search box in the upper right corner, or from the main page, you can click "Shop".
Other web pages working correctly? Using either Firefox or IE?

[travelingtypist]

6. Oh, the web pages are loading fine.

But I'm spoiled. I want a menu with a drop down that has the operating system
and the monitor size that I can just plug in to get a list. That site doesn't
seem to have that functionality.

Dell's does, but I'm not buying another Dell scratch and dent because this thing
lasted less than two years. Maybe I should see about replacing the sound card on
it before I shit-can it, but at this point I'm so frustrated I just want to take it
up a freeway overpass and drop it and watch it shatter into a thousand little pieces.

/end rant.

Thanks for your help, tho. Maybe I'll call them.

[Why Syzygy]

7. ah..

Well I do know that the gateway site has some features that work in IE but do not in Firefox.
Though, I don't know if they have your exact requirements.

[travelingtypist]

8. I found this one on a "five best cheap laptop" list.

Toshiba Satellite Pro A210-EZ2201

Any opinions?

I had a Satellite Windows 95 laptop that I just beat the hell out of,
spilled coffee on it, dried it out, it worked fine.

Now if I can just find it with XP.

My mom has a Gateway laptop that we had to replace pretty quickly as
well, which I think is why I'm hesitating.

If I they would only push Windows 7 out into wide beta, I'd almost go
that route, except the Vista driver support was so bad, I don't imagine
W7 will be much better.

[charlie]

9. XP Satellites

These come with "downgrade rights" from Vista, ie, extra media that allows you to replace the OS with XP:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4445914&CatId=3449

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4445428&CatId=3449

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4308650&CatId=3449

More XP laptops (take note of the ones marked "off lease", those are used and refurbished):

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=3449

[travelingtypist]

12. Thank you.

I hate NewEgg with a passion and won't buy from them. They wouldn't
take a valid credit card to let me buy a laptop, so I had to go with
this Dell POS, so I've been looking for another site to buy my computer
stuff on.

Appreciate it.

[Why Syzygy]

10. There are quite a few Toshiba Sattelite owners .. maybe one of them will let you know

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=242&topic_id=21772

Toshiba drivers:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=242&topic_id=22254&mesg_id=22268

Toshiba batteries:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=242&topic_id=21926

Vista:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=242&topic_id=24232

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=242&topic_id=22749

[travelingtypist]

11. Wow. Okay.

Thanks.

:scared:

Yikes.

[DemReadingDU]

15. Spouse has Toshiba Satellite, M65-S9092

It's great, has Windows XP, couple years old. We wanted another, but they only come with Vista now. So I went to Ebay. Found the exact same model, barely used, no issues with it at all. Guess I was lucky.

edit for model in the subject

[hobbit709]

13. Sounds like the keyboard needs to be replaced.

Replacing a keyboard on a Dell is actually fairly easy.
You can get one from these people for $29+shipping-they're good local people and trustworthy.
http://www.discountelectronics.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=1616

[travelingtypist]

14. I use an external keyboard.

So if I disabled the keyboard on the computer itself in the device manager,
that could solve my problem?

That would be awesome.

The one on the laptop is the HID device?

[OneGrassRoot]

16. My desktop recently died ...

and I tried to find something without Vista as well.

I was able to order one from Dell (couldn't find anything off the shelf), with the XP "downgrade" - no Vista installed. I would assume they would have a similar laptop option? Beyond that, I couldn't find anything...though you're more advanced if you're willing to find a shell and build from there. ;)

Good luck!

[Stardust]

17. You've probably tried this but...

when my keyboard acts quirky, I've found that turning it upside down and smacking it against the desk causes all kinds of stuff to fall out (staples are a common culprit).

[travelingtypist]

18. Update -- the culprit was the USB hub.

I use six USB devices with this computer and the computer only has four USB
slots, and so I was using a four-slot hub that was pulling its power from the
computer. Once I replaced that hub with a seven-slot hub that has its own
power source, problem solved.

:happy dance:

USB keyboard
USB mouse
External hard drive
Logitech headphones
USB network card
USB foot pedal

[Deja Q]

19. I thought that, for OEM Vista licenses, Microsoft offered a downgrade to XP...

just let them know and they send you the download links, et al...

I might be wrong, but I recall reading on that - because I was thinking of downgrading Vista 64-bit to XP 64-bit... then found out I didn't qualify because mine is a retail license...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2287685,00.asp

Mind you, I NEVER had the green ribbon of death in Vista... but then I've been using the 64-bit version. I complain about it, but nonetheless I will vouch for its stability. YMMV...