Hard Drive very dead. Tried it in another machine and cannot access it at all. NO MUST HAVE DATA WAS LOST!!! So now I either add a new drive to a slow, 4 year old desktop with 256MB memory and possibly a bad controller or I buy something. I have a firm laptop for work but cannot add personal programs to it.

I was trying to wait for Vista. I want a cheap desktop without monitor but with at least 512MB of memory. Have always bought Dell and would again if good discount was available -- can get on web site 17% discount, free shipping, added memory, 2 years at home service, no monitor for under $800 with virus protection (15 months) and no software. Assume Microsoft will let me reinstal legal copy of office 2003.

Anyone have a better discount you can share or a system to recommend at between $600 and $900?

Assuming by saying that you have a 4 yr old computer, you are saying that you got 4 years of life out of it. Thsi would strongly suggest that you want to make sure that anything you buy now is Vista-ready.

I'd look for something that was upgradeable to 4Gb and supports SATA on the motherboard.

I'd try www.deals2buy.com always a long list of dell deals including both desktops and laptops.

JK

Why not just try a new hard drive. If you are ok with present desktop, just get a cheap HD (like the Maxtor 200GB that has a rebate @ Office Depot that brings final price to 49.99-pretty sure it's ATA...). Install it, if it works, you can wait out cheaper Vista compatible PC's and pay less because you'd have to buy an upgrade license when Vista released if you bought computer now (you'd get OEM license if you bought computer @ release time-cheaper).

The Dell Outlet is your friend. This machine is already Vista ready and for the price is an amazing machine. It's in the scratch-n-dent section but has a full warranty so who cares if the case ain't perfect??? Hard drive is a bit small but you can always add another.

$369.00 OptiPlex GX620 Pentium 4 - 2800 Genuine Windows XP Pro 80 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 1000 DVD-ROM 128MB Radeon X600 Desktop

Here's the specs

OptiPlex GX620
(System Identifier: EZ00RGH3)


OptiPlex GX620 Desktop: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 521 with HT (2.8GHz, 1M, 800MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Pro

System Price : $369.00

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Operating System
Genuine Windows XP Pro
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Memory
1 GB DDR2 NON-ECC SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs)
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Hard Disk Drive
80 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
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Video
128MB Radeon X600
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Scratch & Dent
Scratch & Dent
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Base
OptiPlex GX620 Desktop: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 521 with HT (2.8GHz, 1M, 800MHz FSB)
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Media Bay
16x DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software
Power DVD Software
DVD Software
Power DVD Software
AOL ISP Software
Operating System Software CD
DVD Software
AOL 9.0 ISP Software
Software
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Misc
System Documentation
Dell Enhanced Multimedia USB Keyboard
No Floppy Drive Filler Panel
Labels
No Resource CD
AOL Software Documentation
RoHS Compliant Lead Free Chassis and Motherboard
USB 2 Button Mouse
XD DISABLE BIT WXPSP2 SET TO O
Shipping Material