Yeap, and I’m typing this thread on it. This is my first laptop. It has Windows XP, Pentium 4 Processor at 1.7GHZ, 512MB RAM, and a CD/DVD combo drive. Had to buy a power adapter for $17, but for a total of $19 I got an awesome computer! 
Just finished downloading Ad-aware, Spybot, and Avast Anti-virus.
I’m so thrilled right now.
Would anyone recommend any other necessary programs for a new computer that I’m forgetting?
Blender 3D and World of Warcraft.
A tad dated specs, but an obviously amazing deal. Good job!
Get Secunia PSI (Personal Software Inspector)
By default it will want to configure itself to run at startup. Disable that option and just run it manually every week. With 512MB you want to limit the number of programs that run at startup. They’ll use up memory and slow down the computer.
Secunia PSI will scan your computer for programs that are missing security updates. Keeping your software up-to-date is one of the most (if not the most) important factor in keeping your computer free from evil. I’d rank it as more important that running active anti-virus.
Also disable Ad-Aware and Spybot from running at startup. You don’t have enough memory for them to be running in the background.
That’s a fairly decent price for a laptop, but did you shop around to see if you could get a better deal than that?
Ok, jk haha! HOW/WHERE did you get it for $1.99? How old is it?
Not sure exactly how old, 2002 or 2003 I think. I realize the specs are a bit dated, but for what I use my computer for (internet browsing and music), it has more than enough power.
Thanks for the tips john_childs. I’ll take care of those things now.
I feel like I probably shouldn’t disclose how I got such a good deal. I doubt it will be happening again the in future, however…
ok
um
the program that john_childs is telling you about is already on your computer, but good luck finding it.
i found it on XP a while back, then i had to fix my vista computer, and it was a pain to find but i did eventually, it’s a long shot idea, but search for startup manager (i believe thats what its called)… and definitely only let it do what it has to do to run.
WOW $1.99! Tats like £1 over here 
I paid £450 for my Dell Inspiron laptop! I got ripped off 
hahaha where the hell did you get it, who nicked it!?!
I feel like I shouldn’t disclose where I bought this laptop, but I can assure you, it was NOT STOLEN. I purchased it fair and square, and have a receipt to show it.
does it have a huge scratch on it?
Sure, just like the $1.99 diamond-and-platinum engagement ring I bought from some guy off Craigslist who said it was a factory second that got thrown away.
He gave me a receipt in triplicate so I could prove, three times over, how legitimate the purchase was.
He also gave me an authenticity certificate that showed the diamond came from Elvis’s jumpsuit, and the platinum was salvaged from the Death Star.
Sarcasm? Or was the ring made of Elvis’s diamonds and the Death Stars platinum?!?
Ha who cares if it’s a ripped off product? Even if it’s a fake its worth $2!
Can I have your computer? How about without your permission? If this is not okay with you than someone cares. I hate thieves. And anyone who knowingly buys from thieves, which in effect is a way to tell them to steal more of our stuff.
If you were robbed, would you care… exactly. But if it was nicked they would have enough scene to sell it for more than $2!
lol, who said it was stolen?
I have all the parts to build up a comp like he described, and id probably give it away to a friend, or sell it for around $20-50.
Old tech is cheap.
I’d gladly buy it for $50 if it had the same/similar specs as the Inspiron 2650.
I have two friends who are curious about it too. So right now they are above on the list, but if they fall through, ill let you know.
Dont really hold your breath though, my friend Chris has been wanting to have his own comp for ages. He can use one of the ones at his house, but he has to pay rent to use it, and their step-dad is really pissy about videogames (thats all their comps get used for) so Chris always gets the crapy end of the stick.
My my, people sure seem to jump to conclusions. This computer was NOT STOLEN by me OR the REPUTABLE BUSINESS that I bought it from. I even purchased at said business’ retail store location. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and got an awesome deal.
It’s a genuine Dell, not ripped off, not rebuilt or pieced together. Basically, nobody wanted it since it was a few years old, and it was taking up space. It is in flawless working order (as far as I can tell), with almost no cosmetic defects (tiny tiny scratch on the screen). Only thing missing was the power adapter.
I completely agree, and would never buy something I suspected was stolen.
Just like my diamond-platinum ring!
I went into a PROFESSIONAL STORE to make my purchase; the transaction took place over a COMMERCIAL-GRADE COUNTERTOP and next to an AUTHENTIC CASH REGISTER.
We all know that ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES OF COMMERCE could never conduct fraudulent activity. Never.
So what store did you get it from? If there is nothing sketchy about it, theres no reason to keep it a secret or something.