Selling My Computer Need Some Technical Advice

P

Peachesbackwards

Member
Would appreciate it, if anyone can give me some general and/or technical advice on my current computer situation. I currently have an HP M260N that has never given me any problems but is a tad too slow for my tastes. I don't do gaming or graphics work. I just ordered a Gateway GT5238E Core 2 Desktop refurbished by Gateway with a 90 day warranty.

My questions are as follows:

1. Assuming I don't initially have any problems with the Gateway GT5238E, how long should I wait till I sell the HP M260N? I use the HP M260N as my second computer which is how I will be using the Gateway. There is no purpose keeping
two "Second computers".

2. As I don't want any information on the HP M260N when I sell it,are there any easy ways to clean the hard drive (which was partitioned for a C and D drive)? Anything else I have to wipe off?

3. The HP 260N that I'm selling originally had 512 RAM but I upgraded it to 2.5GB RAM. Should I sell it with only the original 512 RAM and try to sell the 2GB RAM seperately via Ebay? If I leave the extra RAM on, how much would you add on to the selling price?

4. I have off the top of my head, $500 or additional software like Nero installed. If I leave this on the computer, how much should I add to the price of it?

Thanks for any advice. I'll either be selling on Ebay and/or Craigs list.
 
Last edited:
1. Sell it as soon as you find a buyer. :D

2. The HP machine should have a factory restore disk that either came with the PC, or one you can make. The D partition on OEM machines is usually retained for factory restore purposes. If you sell this machine, I would recommend restoring it to factory condition.

You mentioned that you have pre-installed software that you would like to sell with this machine. Assuming you have valid licenses for the software, you want to do the factory restore, then re-install the applicatons you would like to sell. Without knowing all the applications you would like to transfer, it's hard to recommend a markup price. Personally, I would keep the software.

I'm familiar with the specs of this Media Center PC. The graphics card, for example, is extremely low end/underperforming. Even with the additional RAM and software, consider yourself lucky if you get $250 for the whole machine. The Gateway you purchased sells for around $500, right?

3. Keep the current amount of RAM installed. Before selling, run Memtest +86 overnight to be sure the RAM is good.
 
Last edited:
Peachesbackwards said:
Would appreciate it, if anyone can give me some general and/or technical advice on my current computer situation. I currently have an HP M260N that has never given me any problems but is a tad too slow for my tastes. I don't do gaming or graphics work. I just ordered a Gateway GT5238E Core 2 Desktop refurbished by Gateway with a 90 day warranty.

My questions are as follows:

1. Assuming I don't initially have any problems with the Gateway GT5238E, how long should I wait till I sell the HP M260N? I use the HP M260N as my second computer which is how I will be using the Gateway. There is no purpose keeping
two "Second computers".

2. As I don't want any information on the HP M260N when I sell it,are there any easy ways to clean the hard drive (which was partitioned for a C and D drive)? Anything else I have to wipe off?

3. The HP 260N that I'm selling originally had 512 RAM but I upgraded it to 2.5GB RAM. Should I sell it with only the original 512 RAM and try to sell the 2GB RAM seperately via Ebay? If I leave the extra RAM on, how much would you add on to the selling price?

4. I have off the top of my head, $500 or additional software like Nero installed. If I leave this on the computer, how much should I add to the price of it?

Thanks for any advice. I'll either be selling on Ebay and/or Craigs list.
Click to expand...

1) There is an purpose of keeping 2 computers. 1, use it as an game server, file server, music server, or backup server. 2. Use an backup computer. I recommend selling it only if you get it at an fair price. Otherwise, if would probably be more worthwhile keeping it.

2) I suggest using an 3rd party cleaner. Any piece of information you get rid of by re-partitioning or reformatting can be retrieved. The more to use the 3rd party cleaner if you have typed in any personal information or credit card numbers.

3) DDR or DDR2? What type? You can get G Skill ram 2gB DDR2 for like $80 and pqi DDR2 800 for $50. Same with DDR. Do they have heatspreaders?

4) Aren't you going to wipe everything off? Are you going to include the CD's? If not it's not going to worth much.
 
oscaryu1 said:
1) There is an purpose of keeping 2 computers. 1, use it as an game server, file server, music server, or backup server. 2. Use an backup computer. I recommend selling it only if you get it at an fair price. Otherwise, if would probably be more worthwhile keeping it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can do that too. I have a Sony Vaio (very similar to your HP) that I use for those purposes. My wife uses it occasionally as well.

oscaryu1 said:
3) DDR or DDR2? What type?
Click to expand...

I believe it's DDR PC2700 333 MHz. I did a little research on this one. :D
 
oscaryu1 said:
Thanks. Whats the model of the RAM? There's an rather large difference between A-Data and Corsair.
Click to expand...

Generally, there is a difference. However, in this situation, it doesn't really matter. Attached to a network for backups, file transfers, etc., the computer will function okay, regardless of the branding of the RAM. If the RAM eventually fails...oh well. Most RAM come with a lifetime warranty, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top