Laptop Rebuild Help Needed

[UNSTUCK]

My work issued me a new laptop and said they didn't care what I do with my old one. I thought it would be the perfect shop computer. In order to do that I need to remove all the company controls on it, if possible. For example, right now I can't update/add any programs on it without an administrator password. At the same time, it is painfully slow. I'd like to try to update it as much as possible with more speed and memory so it will run better. I want to install and run/learn Solid Works on it, so I think it will need to be beefed up to handle that program. Can any of you rebuild this thing so it runs great again? Is it worth it? I assume it has to be cheaper to rebuild this one vs. buying a new one.

Specs:
Dell Latitude E6430
Intel Core i5-3320M @2.6Hz
8 GB RAM
64 bit Operating system
Windows 7 Pro

I can bring it to you, drop it off or hang out, whatever is easiest for you.
Thanks.

 

[Brad J]

My work issued me a new laptop and said they didn't care what I do with my old one. I thought it would be the perfect shop computer. In order to do that I need to remove all the company controls on it, if possible. For example, right now I can't update/add any programs on it without an administrator password. At the same time, it is painfully slow. I'd like to try to update it as much as possible with more speed and memory so it will run better. I want to install and run/learn Solid Works on it, so I think it will need to be beefed up to handle that program. Can any of you rebuild this thing so it runs great again? Is it worth it? I assume it has to be cheaper to rebuild this one vs. buying a new one.

Specs:
Dell Latitude E6430
Intel Core i5-3320M @2.6Hz
8 GB RAM
64 bit Operating system
Windows 7 Pro

I can bring it to you, drop it off or hang out, whatever is easiest for you.
Thanks.

If it isn't encrypted then you can use Hirens to clear the Admin password and it might run decent once you get the Company Software off of it. The issue with installing Windows 10 on it would be needing a license key and they are $120 or $200. I am not familiar with Solid Works so I can't answer how this laptop would run that. I would probably get it up to 16 GB
https://www.crucial.com/compatible-upgrade-for/dell/latitude-e6430
which it looks like it can run. This looked like a decent video of how to use Hirens.

I hope this helps since you aren't out anything if it works.

 

[Spork]

If it's already licensed for windows 7 then the windows 10 should be fine with the same license. I know if you're on a HP laptop it just recognizes it as vendor licensed and doesn't even ask for a key, I wouldn't be suprised if Dell is the same way. Microsoft allows you to download the windows 10 iso to create a USB and I'd just pick wipe it all out and install new when you're installing vs upgrade.

Brad J had the link for memory, from what I was looking at you're limited to 16G supported. I'm not sure what kind of hard drive you have but if it's not a SSD then that would help also.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I don’t care to install windows 10 unless there is a real reason to. All my old programs work fine on 7. I imagine solid works will as well, but not sure. Maybe it is needed to make it run faster?
Also, to be clear, I can log in and run the computer just fine. I do have to use my work log in and password. That’s not a big deal. When I get the pop up window asking if I want a program to makes changes to the computer I have to enter an admin password. I don’t know if I even have the option to log in as an admin so I’m not sure if that hirens program will help.
Do I just buy one or two of those memory cards?
Thanks for the help. I really don’t mind paying one of you to go through this thing for me.

 

[Spork]

Windows 7 is no longer supported is the reason I'd go to windows 10. On the memory I'd probably open up the laptop and see how many sticks it already has in, from what I was reading you have 2 slots for memory if you have 2x4G modules then you're full and would need to buy 2x8G modules, if you just have a single 8G module then you can buy another 8G and hit 16G.

video on how to remove cover...

 

[mbryson]

We send all our out of warranty stuff here. I think you might be $ ahead to buy a laptop from these folks rather than throw down $ on the 6430? https://www.tams.shop/category-s/101.htm


That said, a clean build of Win10 is what I’d do if you’re planning on sticking with this unit. I don’t know what Solid Works requires but 8 Gb should do “ok”. 16 Gb would be mucho bettero but you likely need more processing power as well.

If the 6430 has an SSD, it might be worth using?
I bet you’re $200 buying a SSD drive and some memory (RAM) for the 6430? $400-500 could be a better spend for something with better video performance, possibly a touch screen and a stronger processor? Only you can decide that

 

[UNSTUCK]

How do I tell if it has an SSD drive? I like the idea of throwing 16gb of memory in for $100. Can I completely wipe it clean and start over, like I can a cell phone? Would that get rid of all the corporate stuff on it? Can I just down load windows 10 as an upgrade or do I purchase it as well?

I guess the idea here was to spend $100-200 and have a decent laptop. If we are talking $400-500 then it makes sense to buy a new one.

 

[Herzog]

I'd just clean wipe it with win10 on a usb stick. You can run win10 forever without registering it especially if it's just gonna be a shop rig.

search win10 iso and dl it from microshit's official site. Pick the option that allows you to create a bootable usb drive.

 

[gijohn40]

looking at the system requirements for solidworks you will need at least 16gb ram and a ssd drive is recommended and a faster processor.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Well that stinks. Anyone know of a decent laptop that meets those specs? Not looking for a gaming computer or anything special.

 

[frieed]

what will you use it for?
my shop computer is used for streaming audio and YouTube video's on how to do things.
If that's as much as you want (specifically, no windows apps), install Linux Mint and never look back.
Mint (or Peppermint which I use) is very windows-like and comes with Firefox browser pre-installed.
For Pandora, I use a command-line app called pianobar that logs in to my account but bypasses all of the ads and the "are you still listening" b.s.
Any design work (I typically use Sketchup) I do in my office where I can sit in comfort.

 

[mbryson]

Well that stinks. Anyone know of a decent laptop that meets those specs? Not looking for a gaming computer or anything special.

https://www.tams.shop/product-p/sf22919-0048.htm $700

Having the i7 processor, the 16 Gb RAM, and the 256 Gb SSD (not the biggest but probably ok depending on what you store and how you store it) that should work ok for you. Probably a $1500-2k laptop new?

There's really nothing wrong with swapping in a 1 Tb SSD into your free laptop for $100-120. You'll get a solid performance hit with that alone. Add an 8 Gb stick or swap what's there to get to 16 Gb for another $80-100 more and see if you're in decent shape with that? You're $200-250 into that laptop to try to run SolidWorks or similar. Likely need some kind of video card to really see performance (that's a motherboard upgrade that likely won't be available in that chassis). Worst case you end up with a decent browsing/document/email laptop with a 1-3 year service life? Good deal for $250 or less.

We have a couple laptops that run CAD. I spend about $3k-3500 for those. They're built like tanks and are not fun for airport travel but are what people request so they can run CAD. I can buy a $1200-1500 desktop that can run CAD, put that on the requestors desk and have them run our "normal" laptop that's about $1700. If/when they need CAD, they jump on the desktop physically or remotely and do their thing.

 

[mbryson]

I just confirmed I do have a Win10 20H2 WIM file I can dump on your new hard drive (or even your current one) that will take about 15-20 min to image. It's Win10 but without a lot of it's "fluff". I'll have to check if it's Win10 Pro or ????. Any chance you know what license came with the machine? Probably about 15-30 min after that to get you signed in and registered with the MS overlords. ALL DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST if this is done.

ALL DATA, FILES, MALWARE, SPYWARE ETC WILL BE LOST if you image. Plan accordingly

 

[UNSTUCK]

A friend of mine has it now and is installing windows 10 on it and probably a few other things. Once I get solidworks I’ll just have to play with it and see what happens. Thanks for all the suggestions and offers to help.
I feel about computers the way most people feel about their cars. I just expect it to turn on and work. When it doesn’t, I’m screwed.