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    Eraser Head Missing from my 8600

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by chadbryant, Aug 6, 2004.

  1. chadbryant

    chadbryant Newbie

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    What's up w/ the photos of the Dell 8600's(even on their website) showing the 8600 w/ an eraser head? I know that the 8600c doesn't come with one now. Other than the legacy ports missing as well, is there any other differences? The Dell rep told me I would have to RETURN my 8600c and get an 8600 if I wanted the eraser head. WHAT A JOKE! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

    Thanks,
    Chad D. Bryant
    --
    [email protected]
     
    chadbryant, Aug 6, 2004
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  2. mathlete2001

    mathlete2001 Notebook Deity

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    Those are the only two differences. To get an 8600 with the ports a nd eraserhead, you would have to buy it refurbished. You would sacrifice the 2mb of L2 cache in the new pentium M's as well as settle for an older video card.

    GPU cooling (100°C->75°C)* Inspiron 8600 * 1.8ghz Pentium M * 128 MB Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo (337/242 -> 400/300) * 2x256 MB DDR2700 SDRAM * Aquamark 3: 24058 * 3DMark'03: 3404 * 3DMark'01 SE: 13120
     
    mathlete2001, Aug 6, 2004
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  3. kltye

    kltye Notebook Guru

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    OK, I'm a cheapskate guy and don't want to spend cash on the port replicator. Is there such a device that can convert one of my USB ports to a serial port? Would it be very expensive? While we're at it, can the USB port be converted to a parallel port as well, or are the protocols way too different?

    Thanks!
     
    kltye, Aug 7, 2004
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  4. gotalemon

    gotalemon Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, you can buy usb to serial and usb to parallel converters.

    They are a bit hit and miss--some work some don't (this according to the manufacturer of a GPS device I use that only has a serial cable)with a particular device and you may have to try more than one to get a match. It took me two tries to match my serial device but it works fine now. I paid about 20 bucks for the converter. (A port replicator, at least at the time I priced them was about 45 for comparison).

    Google usb to parallel or usb to serial and your options should come up.

     
    gotalemon, Aug 7, 2004
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