Resolved ASSET Problem

Question

Hi, Yesterday I've found the answers to my last question: 'Does this ASSET utility is REALLY compatible with my Inspiron 1100 model ??' I was asking this Q because I know, as the most of you know that the BIOS issue is a very significant one, and it's better to ask the exact questions... and not be sorry later. Let me try to cut the long story short... Well, YES IT DOES! Some practical tips: 1. If you need to download a Dell software, just HIT THIS LINK , but be sure to know all about it first. 2. Another helpful one is the Bay-Wolf site, go and try THIS INDEX . (Thanx B.W. :smileywink: ) 3. Use the SM_INFO.EXE to display the Asset Tag & Service Tag (mainly). 4. Be careful with the Service Tag modification!! Basically, hereby (again..) the ASSET usage DOS commands  and some other BIOS utilities : Usage:   ASSET new_asset_tag           Specify new asset tag   ASSET /d                                Delete asset tag   ASSET /o new_owner_tag     Specify new owner tag (if applicable)   ASSET /o /d                            Delete owner tag (if applicable)   ASSET /?                                This help screen   ASSET /s xxxxx     ...where xxxxx is the Service tag number you want it to be.                                       (NOTEs: can set ONLY ONCE !!!!                                                    The '/s' switch is sometimes undocumented.) ==================================== SM_INFO.EXE      -  Display the system Info ==================================== SVCTAG.EXE   -  Used to change the Service Tag  !! ====================================   Thanks everyone and good luck with your BIOS issues. And one more thing, remember this: 'A little work, a little sleep, a little love and it's all over.' :smileywink: Alon C.

Bay Wolf · Answer

I just happen to be passing through and I say this post.  I'm glad that you got things worked out with the Asset program.    And you welcome.  I'm glad that my site can be of some you to you.

aloncohen · Answer

Hello Bay-Wolf, Thank a lot for your help and for your gentleness.   I would like to discover (to you..) what was my purpose at the first place and might be getting some more recommendations especially from you (others prof. will accepted warmly.. of course :smileyhappy:)   It goes like that: Thinking for upgrading my i1100 I've starting by looking at the community forums posts here. My first resolution was the BIOS upgrade than (BTW..) I've noticed that the Service tag was indeterminate. So now I've resolved this as you already know.   Now, my second goal is to upgrade two components more: The RAM & the HDD.   The machine got 2x256MB memory and the current HDD is IC25N030ATMR04-0 30GB 2.5' Notebook.(this was the default as I purchase it)   I would like to have 768Mb or 1Gb of RAM  and about 80Gb to 120Gb HDD storage.   By going over the 'Upgrade Hardware' and 'Hard Drive' forum sections , I can't say that I'm definitely sure what the accurate & compatible one's will do... It seams mixed-up and not precise to me (If I can say so.)   I will be more than happy to get sum beneficial advise.   Thanks Alon C.

Bay Wolf · Answer

Your notebook has two memory slots. Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 512MB per slot for a total of 1GB.

Your computer does not support dual channel memory so you can mix and match memory size.

I suggest using Crucial Memory. I like that they guarantee the memory will work.

I am not positive what the largest hard drive that the I1100 can use, but I know that an 80GB will work.

Any PATA (EIDE/PATA ATA 100 or ATA133) notebook hard drive will work.

As to which brand to use, you will get a lot of different opinions.

As for the RPM of the hard drive, a 7200 RPM will be faster than a 5400 RPM hard drive but they do cost more.

A good place to buy hard drives is ZipZoomFly and NewEgg.

aloncohen · Answer

Well, you are right lots of different opinions .... but what is the better to choose?

Just want to show you some of those confusing posts :

HDD related issues :

rickmktg wrote: "You can buy ANY 2.5" 9.5mm hard drive. Up to 100gb on the market, but expensive. Bigger ones coming.
You can buy a drive from anywhere. Seagate Momentus has a 5 yr warranty."

AND:" There is no size limit.;There ARE SATA hard drives in the new Inspirons.;You can buy 4200, 5400, or 7200."

Another (Seagate) prob HERE

AND : "Any 2.5" EIDE drive on the market will work with the system."

RAM related issues :

After reading THIS Crucial.com info, I've found as follow:

ejn63 wrote: " It's upgradeable to 1 GByte of RAM as two 512M PC2100 soDIMMs."

NemesisDB Wrote: "pc2100 although some pc2700 may work (at pc2100 speed). non partiy. non ECC. using the crucial configurer should work and they will take it back if there are issues "

rickmktg wrote: " Use ATA 6 or ANY PATA ( NOT SATA !! ) 2.5"x9.5mm (Seagate ot Hitachi ) "

Another member wrote: " the system can take up to a gig of ram (pc2100 although pc2700 may work at the lower speed). " etc. etc....

So, what your Opinion about the above? How am I supposed to handle this?

Hopefully this will not be an inconvenience ..for you to answer.

Thank you very mach for your listening.

Alon C.

Bay Wolf · Answer

All of the opinions that were given to you are correct except that the one that suggested you use a SATA hard drive.  THAT WILL NOT WORK.   What exactly are you going to do with your notebook?  That really will dictate what you should upgrade.   Are you going to use memory intensive programs like video editing?  If so, definately upgrade to 1GB.   Are you going to upgrade to Vista?  If so, I might recommend the 1GB again.  If you stick with WinXP and you only use it for word processing, the internet or simple spreadsheets, then 512 will be enough.   The hard drive size really will depend on what you are going to use it for.  Are you going to store a lot of pictures or graphics?  That eats up a lot of disk space quickly.   As you can see, even my opinion will be wide spread.  It really depends on your needs.  What exactly are you looking to do with your notebook?

aloncohen · Answer

Thanks again, Yea, I understand.

Actually I need this upgrade because of two issues:

1st - The machine going slow more and more... You know, more app(s) , more space and the Registry going "fat" ..

2nd - I'm a Programmer (C++, Java, VB, DHTML, XML etc..) so I need to upgrade or just to buy another powerful Laptop.

Meanwhile, does one of the following HDD will do? (your opinion Please)

1) Seagate Momentus 7200.1 ST910021A 100GB 7200 RPM ATA-6 Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

Average Latency: 4.2ms
Average Seek Time: 10.5ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: SoftSonic FDB motor QuietStep ramp load technology
Form Factor: 2.5"

Model #: ST910021A

--- OR ---

2) HITACHI Travelstar 7K100 HTS721080G9AT00 (0A25023) 80GB 7200 RPM ATA-6 Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

Average Latency: 4.2ms
Average Seek Time: 10ms
Average Write Time: 11ms
Cache: 8MB
Features: Desktop-like performance in a mobile drive Enhanced ABLE for maximum battery utilization Industry-leading robustness in both non-op and operating shock Optimized femto actuator/suspension design
Form Factor: 2.5"

Model #: HTS721080G9AT00

I would appreciate if you could tell about the preferred RAM too. (Brand.. etc.)

Thanks a lot.

Alon C.

Bay Wolf · Answer

A clean install will take car of issue one.   Both hard drives will work in your system.  The Segate Momentus will run a little bit quieter.  That would be my choice between the two.   As for memory, As I mentioned above, I buy from Crucial.  They will guarantee that the memory will work.

aloncohen · Answer

Yea, it's an essential.  Okay.. going to sleep on it.. And again, 10X so much.   BTW,send my regards to Molly & Lucky   - And to...      Alon C.

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