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    Determining age of a laptop?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by markhedder, May 20, 2009.

  1. markhedder

    markhedder Notebook Deity

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    Is there a way to determine the age of a laptop that we are considering to buy? Let's say after a clean reformat too. I don't think there's any mention in the BIOS.
     
    markhedder, May 20, 2009
    #1
  2. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    There might be some sticker on the bottom.

    Also, hard drives tend to have a manufacturing date on them, which may give some indication.

    And recovery software might be able to recover some files, even after a reformat.
     
    Phil, May 20, 2009
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  3. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    If you go to the setup BIOS you might find the date of manufacture if the MB is proprietory such as HP
     
    kanehi, May 20, 2009
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  4. frostbit3

    frostbit3 Notebook Evangelist

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    Also you might try to find it from a serial number. I know Dell keeps up with their service tags. I can go to Dell.com and search my serial number and it will tell me the day it was bought and everything. I'm not sure if other manufacturers do that though.
     
    frostbit3, May 20, 2009
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  5. markhedder

    markhedder Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for the responses everyone, especially Phil. There was a date on the hdd, just had to unscrew the latch. Although there could have been a possible margin of error due to inventory holdings but it's good enough.
     
    markhedder, May 20, 2009
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  6. channelv

    channelv Notebook Evangelist

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    Most BIOSs have dates on them, you just have to look it up. If not, they have BIOS codes, which u can then find onlnie. Or with Dell, look up the service tag. It tells you date or manufacture, origin or manufactur, and every single part that was used to put that laptop together. I LOVE how Dell does that.
     
    channelv, May 20, 2009
    #6
  7. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You could look up the model name and see when it was released.
     
    usapatriot, May 20, 2009
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  8. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    The problem with the BIOS date is it may be an upgrade or bugfix BIOS. This eMachines has had 4 or 5 of them (and the @#E$E% VIA chipset still don't work 'right')...
     
    olyteddy, May 20, 2009
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  9. KonstantinDK

    KonstantinDK Notebook Evangelist

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    Cmon, what was the date? We are all curious now!
     
    KonstantinDK, May 21, 2009
    #9