Posting this for a friend. He dissected his computer and...

[Scribble Me Orange]

Okay, it'd take too long for him to get on Gaia himself to do this so I agreed to post it for him. This is what he says:

"Let's start with the basics..
I have a Dell i300 Model no: PP04s
Running Windows XP Professional
Before: My laptop ran generally smoothly. At the time, I could run many processes without any lag whatsoever. My computer never froze up, and never bluescreened. However, my power port had become "loose".
The process: In order to fix my power port to the extense that I could use it, I first had to unscrew a cover on the back, pulling it off (to reveal the memory: RAM, ROM, etc.). I then had to unscrew the other screws on the laptop's bottom to release the keyboard. Then, it was required that I pry the keyboard tab up and pull the keyboard forward a bit to release the tabs in the back. After this, I disconnected the ZIF tape and pulled the keyboard off. I then unscrewed the palm rest, rotating it to the point where I could adjust the position of my power port. I touched no other hardware in the process. After putting everything back, I forgot the keyboard ZIF several times. When I finally remembered it and logged in, everything took about an hour and a half to load. (Might I note that the booting sequence only took less than 3 minutes.) Stressed out, the first thing I did was make sure to sign onto IM. After waiting a good hour for it to log in, I assured everyone I was okay. Eventually frustrated at the fact that it took fifteen minutes for my text to even show up on the screen, I let my laptop rest. After a good night's rest, I started my laptop up, logging into my other "test" account. This account only has a profile of about 200MB (My main has a profile of around 2.5GB). It loaded rather quickly, but I experienced a similar lag, soon realizing that Firefox refused to work when anything was running, and lagging to the point where I couldn't do anything if nothing else was running. Today, I logged into my main account, and to my relief, it was rather fast. I was happy as it only took me about 15 minutes to get into Windows Live Messenger and the text appeared AS I typed it, not freezing up. However, when I tried to open Firefox, the previous experience replayed, and I was soon stuck with a bucket of lag. And this is where I'm stuck, now: I can't use an internet browser, because if I try, it freezes up and lags my computer to death."

So. He would like to know how to fix this issue. If you need any more info, ask me and I'll post it. I'll tell him everything you guys say. Gogogo.

[Creepy Old freeloader]

w.o.w

[GrimFusion]

How the crap did your friend come to think the laptop was being laggy because his power cable was "loose"? Their computer is likely laggy because they're infected with malware.

Have them follow our antimalware sticky.

If this is a hardware issue, your friend should likely take the laptop to someone who is experienced repairing laptop hardware and let them sort it out for a nominal fee.

[Dragon Alchemest]

perhaps there is a loose connector somewhere? Although I highly doubt it.

[Scribble Me Orange]

He can't get on the internet without his computer going slfjklsfjsjdiiijtennn so how is he supposed to follow that stupid sticky? xD

But, really, I dunno. Any other possible solutions?

[Locrian Lucero]

You have a computer. USB drives are relatively cheap. I'm assuming his computer has a working USB port...

[Scribble Me Orange]

I doubt he has a flash drive.

[GrimFusion]

Scribble Me Orange

He can't get on the internet without his computer going slfjklsfjsjdiiijtennn so how is he supposed to follow that stupid sticky? xD

But, really, I dunno. Any other possible solutions?

Kinda. You could always restore the laptop so long as your friend has the restore discs. You could also download all of the necessary system drivers and reinstall Windows if you have an official Windows XP installation disc. Both methods will rid their system of malware. Problem is, it'll also rid the system of all saved personal files, pictures, music, movies, applications, and settings.

It boggles my mind that your friend took it upon himself to open up their laptop and fix a loose power cable, but doesn't seem to understand why it's important to run an antivirus and antispyware app once a week.

[x_Mr Snowman_x]

Scribble Me Orange

I doubt he has a flash drive.

It's not that hard to shell out a couple of dollars for one...

[Deadly deago666]

this may sound stupid but check your ram by going to computer properties, make sure thats what your suppose to have and if not then take out the ram and put it bak in

(Any steps i give you are do at your own risk steps and its not my fault if you screw up doing it, im only at fault if im doing the steps)
©Darkstar computer repairs

[Gin Fushicho]

O_o That laptop must be REALLY old , because I couldnt even find it on Dells website. and the only result I got on google was this thread , and a couple things talking about buying replacement parts from some random shady sites.

[iroaxni]

Gin Fushicho

O_o That laptop must be REALLY old , because I couldnt even find it on Dells website. and the only result I got on google was this thread , and a couple things talking about buying replacement parts from some random shady sites.

I think the OP forgot two letter. cp

Also I think there is also a cpx ver too.

Dell cpi300

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Latitude-Notebook-300-MHz-Pentium/dp/B00005TP69

From the looks of it its a latitude and I have one and on mine the OS requirements are 2k even though it had XP on it so the OS ain't a problem because it ran smooth.

You do have to be carefull though because on mine the fan pin went and its almost 10 yrs old.

Good luck

[Tom 3]

Buy a modern laptop.

[Kamika Sugi]

GrimFusion

How the crap did your friend come to think the laptop was being laggy because his power cable was "loose"? Their computer is likely laggy because they're infected with malware.

Have them follow our antimalware sticky.

If this is a hardware issue, your friend should likely take the laptop to someone who is experienced repairing laptop hardware and let them sort it out for a nominal fee.

Erm, I don't think that is the reason why he dissected his laptop. He only dissected it because of a loose power port.