[Web4lib] Re: TechSoup Refurbished Computers?

Fri Apr 17 11:59:23 EDT 2009

We have some of the Dell Optiplex machines. While they're  fine for what they are, our models (and I am too lazy to go double check which they are)  do not have enough functionality to fuel more than 6 usb ports. Sure, they have 12 ports,  but  you can only use 6 at a time because of access issues. (see below).  Our problem is that we can't use our scanner and a thumb drive at the same "time," nor charge an ITouch and use a thumb drive at the same time. It's very irritating.

Juju

"Generally speaking, the first 4 to 6 USB ports can handle USB devices that require dedicated hardware interrupts. What this means is simply that some devices are unable to share hardware interrupts. Among these are USB keyboards and mice, Bluetooth dongle's, and particularly USB sound pod's used with DNS. These types of devices must have access to the appropriate hardware interrupt at all times. They cannot share a particular hardware interrupt with another device. The first 4 to 6 USB ports are assigned specific hardware interrupts. After that, the remaining USB ports may share hardware interrupts with one another. Therefore, you very often see problems associated with the front USB ports as a result of either losing access to that device, Windows not being able to write to a mass storage device (USB thumb drive) inserted in one of those ports, or Windows simply failing to recognize a device plugged into one of those ports. Generally speaking, this is not due to any lack of quality or lack of shielding, it is due to the fact that there are just so many hardware interrupts available. So, if you've got 12 children and only six pair of shoes, somebody's going to have to share. However, the BIOS usually provides priority hardware interrupt assignments to at least the first 4 to 6 USB ports. Nevertheless, these are usually the ones on the backside of your system." https://www.knowbrainer.com/PubForum/index.cfm?page=viewForumTopic&topicId=7040

Julieanne Hartman Stevens
Reference and  Electronic Resources Librarian
Stetson University College of Law
Law Library
1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, Florida 33707

727-562-7304
jhsteven at law.stetson.edu

"They say that you must sink or swim
But I prefer to float" from the song, Float
-Sharla June and The Mayhaws

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Cary Gordon
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 11:06 AM
To: Ted Bazemore
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Re: TechSoup Refurbished Computers?

For slightly more money, you can get recent and current model Dell
Optiplex and Vostro Desktops from Dell Outlet sales that blow these
ancient machines out of the water. While it changes from minute to
minute, there were lots of very capable machines with Vista
Business/XP Pro (latter installed) for under $300 when I looked just
now. I am not sure about the Vostros, but the Optiplexes come with a
three year warranty.

If you call, Dell will assign you an outlet rep who can but together
whatever number of machines you need at the price and specification
level you request. Usually, this takes less than a week.

I have bought hundreds of servers and workstations from them over the
last twelve years, and I am a very demanding, yet satisfied customer.

Cary

On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 9:44 AM, Ted Bazemore <tedbazemore at gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks for the link, Bill. While TechSoup has a great price, I like to know
> exactly what I'm getting for my money and that doesn't seem to be how they
> operate. I've called them twice and emailed their customer service to find
> out what model machines I could expect with no response in almost a week.
>
> While I appreciate all they do to offer refurbished computers and discounted
> software, this doesn't encourage me to do business with them. Are there any
> other recommendations on refurbished machines?
>
> --
> Ted Bazemore
> Assistant Director of Information Technology
> Clayton County Library System
> (770) 210-5237
> ted at claytonpl.org
>
>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:53:43 -0500
>> From: "Michael J. Dargan" <dargan at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
>> To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> Message-ID:
>>        <52647a500904131753mc23aa73oef912775b9493c2 at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> Hello--
>> I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished computers from
>> TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s, 512
>> ram, and 90 day warranty for $169.  What am I likely to get?  Optiplexes?
>>  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong for $169, but
>> still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying 10--what's the worst that could
>> happen?
>>
>> --
>> Michael J. Dargan
>> Reference & Technical Systems Administrator
>> Waterloo & Cedar Falls Public Libraries
>> twitter.com/MikeDargan http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 6
>> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:12:42 -0400
>> From: Bill Hudson <bhudson at lancasterlibraries.org>
>> Subject: RE: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
>> To: "Web4lib at webjunction.org" <Web4lib at webjunction.org>
>> Message-ID: <FA1C83C019407847964B4BC3BDEA3E0872407672 at mail.lanco.lib>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>
>> Hi Michael,
>> We haven't purchased any used machines from TechSoup since we generally buy
>> Lenovo Thinkcentre machines. But if you are interested in refurbs, check out
>> www.systime.com They have a larger selection of Dells than TechSoup,
>> though the prices tend to be little higher and the standard warranty is 30
>> days. For comparison, here are the specs of machines we are considering at
>> $179 a piece:
>>
>>
>> IBM ThinkCentre S51 P4 3.2 GHz Small Form Factor Desktop
>>
>> The ThinkCentre S51 series is the stable platform that offers a blend of
>> essential features and technology, including Intel processors, USB ports,
>> numerous security features, and powerful software tools to backup and
>> protect your data - all at an affordable price.
>>
>>    * Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz processor, 800 MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache
>>    * Intel 915G Express chipset
>>    * 512MB DDR2 dual-channel memory (expandable to 4GB)
>>    * DVD/CD-RW combo optical drive
>>    * 40GB serial ATA hard drive
>>    * integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 video
>>    * PCI Express x16 graphics expansion slot
>>    * integrated Broadcom Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet networking
>>    * Eight USB 2.0 ports (two front, six rear)
>>    * Black small form factor desktop chassis
>>    * Keyboard and mouse included
>>    * Grade "A" condition off-lease system
>>    * QC-tested, 30-day warranty (upgradeable to 3 years)
>>    * Stable-platform solution for consistent system imaging and support
>>    * Microsoft Windows XP Professional OS w/coa included
>>
>> We've purchased several dozen machines from Systime and I can recommend
>> them as a stand-up vendor so far. (no affiliation or intrest in the company)
>> We about to buy 60 plus of the machines above.
>>
>> BH
>>
>> *****************************************************************************
>> Bill Hudson
>> Deputy Administrator/Manager, Information Technology
>> Library System of Lancaster County
>> 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Ste. 107
>> Lancaster, PA  17601
>> 717-207-0500 ext. 1269
>> http://www.lancasterlibraries.org
>>
>>
>>
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
>> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>> > J. Dargan
>> > Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 8:54 PM
>> > To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> > Subject: [Web4lib] TechSoup Refurbished Computers?
>> >
>> > Hello--
>> > I'm looking for people who have purchased refurbished
>> > computers from TechSoup.  I see that they currently offer
>> > off-lease Dell 2.8-3.0 P4s, 512 ram, and 90 day warranty for
>> > $169.  What am I likely to get?  Optiplexes?
>> >  Dimensions?  Vostros?  I figure I couldn't go too far wrong
>> > for $169, but still, I'm intrigued by the idea of buying
>> > 10--what's the worst that could happen?
>> >
>> > --
>> > Michael J. Dargan
>> > Reference & Technical Systems Administrator Waterloo & Cedar
>> > Falls Public Libraries twitter.com/MikeDargan
>> > http://tinyurl.com/6bxx8q
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Web4lib mailing list
>> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>
>

-- 
Cary Gordon MLIS
The Cherry Hill Company
http://chillco.com

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