Old Dell Latitude D820 acting up, anything I can try before it goes in the trash?

I'm currently using an old Dell Latitude D820 while I wait for my main gaming rig to get back here. However, I'm seriously reaching my limit on patience with this D820.

Background story of what's happened to it - This laptop is approaching 3yrs old, running a C2D T2300, 2GB RAM, NVS 120M.
- The first thing that it did was a year back, when all LAN magically disappeared one day. Literally, all the LAN icons were there the day before, and when I cold-booted the system the next day, I couldn't connect to the internet via the built-in ethernet port. Checked network connections, and all LAN vanished. I disabled the internal NIC via the BIOS, re-enabled it to see whether Windows would re-recognize it and make a new LAN. Didn't happen. Strangely, the Intel wireless card was still able to obtain IP addresses and connect me to the internet, without an existing LAN setting.
(Then, I got my desktop gaming class rig, and stopped using this for awhile. Now my desktop's out for an RMA, and I'm depending on this D820 again)
- Second thing to happen was this year when I started using the laptop again. About 2 weeks into usage, all my Printers disappeared from Printers and Faxes. No printers were available in MS Office for usage, Printers were completely eradicated.
- Third thing to happen was when I messed the Intel wireless mini-PCI card. I was doing this to see if I could remove the card, boot, shut down, reinsert the card, and boot, to see if I could reclaim the LAN for the Intel card. No LAN, and the Intel utility no longer sees the card. So now I have no onboard way of getting internet. For ethernet, now I use a USB-RJ45 adapter. For wi-fi, I now use a Netgear USB stub. Embarassing, right? :laugh:
- Fourth issue is that lately, it's getting pretty dumb with USB ports. If I unplug my wireless USB stub, it will literally take 10 minutes for it to actually realize that it's missing. For this broadband card that I'm now using on vacation, it will take Windows approximately 15 minutes to recognize it. Then, I have to disable it, and re-enable it for it to actually connect. Trying to use the modem's software results in interference from Dell's built-in AT&T modem, which I will not use (no contract broadband preferred).
- Fifth problem started today. I do mild gaming on the system, namely this very low impact FPS called Combat Arms. Search it, it's low impact, trust me. The system struggled with it before, despite me disabling all unnecessary processes, under-prioritizing what I shouldn't disable, and prioritizing the game (which ran on all low settings). Today, after being in the game for a few minutes, the screen started to stutter, then blank out, then displayed random white line noise. I'm pretty sure the FPS was causing it, because when I managed to exit the game via key commands and forcibly kill the game process, the noise and stuttering stopped. Note that while in-game, it eventually progresses to blanking out and displaying white noise, and when I manage to exit to the desktop, it stops blanking out and creating noise, but still stutters.
-(Now I just spent an hour literally trying to get this thing to post this message. STRUGGLING may I add. Coincidence? Maybe it doesn't wanna be fixed. Whatever.)

What I've done to try to address all of these problems...
- Clean out and replace TIM on C2D with AC MX-2 (Constant system idle at 60% CPU usage produced ~75C idle temps, replacing TIM produced 60% CPU idle temp of ~64C)
- Defragment system using MS Sysinternals Contig (via PowerDefragmenter GUI)
- Clean registry and clean temporary files using CCleaner
- Attempt to update drivers, none found, reinstalled stock Dell drivers. (I update drivers by cleaning out the system using Guru3D's Driver Sweeper first, then installing drivers). First driver update produced a glitchy UI in-game, so I System Restore'd back to the original driver. UI now works.
- Inspect motherboard for damage and build-up. Removed dust, no damage noticed.


So I've done what I can on my end. Can anyone provide any possible tips on what else I can try? Obviously, I voided my warranty already, but it's been so long and outdated, it doesn't really matter to me . I've considered reinstalling Windows, but it might cause more trouble than good. Just a hunch, considering what it's already done. I don't have the utility disks on me anyways. Going to replace this D820 with a Asus G53/G73JW once it comes out, but before I throw this thing out, anyone got ideas to try? NO, don't specify anything that might kill it, I still need a functioning PC for now :laugh:

 

You've mentioned the solution already...reinstalling Windows. None of your problems sound like hardware issues. An old installation of Windows could be inefficient (leading to heat build up, slow response, lagging, etc.) and also full of problems and garbage.

If you need disks, you can either request a set from Dell for free, or you can download them from alternate sources.

 

agh, that's what I was sure the problem was. only thing is, I'm not sure whether I"m in possession of them or not, and I might be getting an up to date laptop within the coming 2 or 3 months, so I'm not really sure whether it's worth the trouble. know anything I could possibly try besides reinstalling?

 

The problem is with the software, so there is really no other solution. Even though you may be getting a new laptop, you could still use the D820 as a spare or test box.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

 

alright then, I'll see what I can do about reinstalling. kinda hard to do when your on vacation and the utility disks are far far away though, lol.

oh, and I believe I tracked the display problem to a hardware failure...actually. When it blanks out, giving it a good thwack (as if it was one of those old tube-TVs) shocks it back into picture. THAT seems like hardware, right?

 

You may want to check the display cable then, remove the LCD and check the cable that is behind it.

 

display cable's threaded quite visibly under the keyboard, actually. it's been through a couple of reseats when I was taking the thing apart to inspect for mobo damage, I'll see whether reseating it does anything.

 

If the cable is no good, they are less than $10 on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130406323146

 

These laptops are very viable still.
I would reload the OS from scratch, and while I was at it, I would get myself a nice new 7200RPM drive if it does not have one all ready. A new drive really helps an old laptop. Most of these old Dell X20 laptops had 5400rpm drives.

Flash the BIOS too, it's amazing what bugs a simple bios flash fixes.

Do this and fix the LVDS cable, and it will be good for a while more.

 

^shhh no no no you are right that laptop seems to be done. You should go ahead and um box it up and send it to me. I will gladly err uhh recycle it for you

As Robin said, I would not waste anymore time with it. Wiping it out will be the fastest and easiest solution. I do not know where you are located otherwise I could have given you a recover cd for windows and you download the drivers from dell.