thanks tony,
I have decided to take it over to the experts that do all the laptop repairs here in San Jose, and let them evaluate it.
It has never been off the wife's desk in the dining room, so it hasn't been banged around. On the other hand my toshiba laptop, that was the best they made also 4 1/2 years old costing 2970.00 USD has been on every motorhome and car trip we have made, which is many and it is loaded with everything and has yet to miss a beat.
go figure ?????
thanks to all for your replies.
Best to all and have a great Holiday weekend here in the states and Canada.

Good laptops with a good track record...are never throw away items...fix it..even if it cost a few hundred bucks...it will still be better quality than the cheap "modern" laptop folks are talking about..
Sure you will find cheap laptops..the $300 -$600..laptops you find today are made as cheap as possible with lower quality components..You get what you pay for...even today...

I have a high end Toshiba laptop (almost 2 years old) and it out performs any other laptop I have seen (my friends buy cheap laptops.. )..from people I know..

I am not a throw a way person..all things have value to someone..or someone else...)

BTW: My long time thought has been ..you never lose a dime as long as you still own it....Buy something and you "dump" it...You have lost big time...

Donny could be living in a mansion with what he didn't receive for his way of "dumping".....Justifying dumping a tool as a wise decision..because you made money with it...holds no water...think about how much more you could have made with the dumped item...and that would be all gravy...

I am glad you said that, Fran. Now I feel justified with my two rooms of gear. You never know when something will come in handy, and sometimes it does.

Yes Fran,

And when you die your wife and kids will need to clear up the mess, it will all be put in a skip and sent down the tip. I have had a go at clearing my loft out (roof space) and I have binned 50% and it's still knee deep. I have a Kodak 35mm projector brand new only been used 5 times cost £750 about 16 years ago, worth nothing now, because of digital! Keep on hoarding Fran.

Tony

Hoarding...not at all...My point was..not to dump something that was quality..but to fix it and continue to use it....NOT replacing the device...and than it would be hoarding...That being said..I have my toys and keep what ever I want..They are my toys....but on the other hand..if it is something I don't want (more than don't need)...I won't dump it..I will sell it (and get most of my investment back if not indeed making a profit...I buy right..I use right..I sell right...

thanks Fran for posting what I have always believed.
So let Jann deal with it all when I am gone.
she can just call an auctioneer or a consignment company and it all will magically turn into money. No problem. I choose to keep the quality stuff, maintain it and use it.
Bebop