fired her up this morning to make sure everything still checks out.. I havent drug the laptop out of the closet in probably 2 years...
I was wrong about the model.. its not an inspirion.. its a Latitude D830... I used it for work until early 2010..
I checked all the ports.. they seem to be working fine.. computer fired up with no problems, etc..
still cant get it to get online.. hopefully youll be able to get someone to fix that for you.. I am 99% certain that the problem is driver/software related.. when I was using it for work, both wireless and the ethernet port worked just fine.. when I pulled it from work duty I wiped the hard drive, reinstalled windows, etc.. and suddenly the modem wasnt working (but had been working 30 minutes earlier).. Im guessing I caused the problem.. and that someone tech saavy can fix it relatively easy (Im just an "e" idiot... zero skills in that area..)...
the battery is definately dead as well.. replacements can be found online for about $40... or you can just leave it plugged in (free option)...
http://www.usbphoneworld.com/dell-d820-dell-latitude-d830-df192.html?CAWELAID=887294667&cagpspn=pla
the only other problem I found with it (I forgot about this) is the touch pad has both top and bottom keys (they do the same thing.. you just use whichever you like best)... the bottom ones arent working.. the top ones (to use the touchpad like a mouse) work fine.. the touch pad was perfect before I did the hard drive wipe.. so I am guessing I screwed up the software/drivers for it too.. it is probably mechanically just fine)..
I just hooked a wireless mouse to it.. which worked perfect.. and circumvents the whole touchpad use/need anyway.. if you have a spare mouse laying around.. thats probably the direction I would go.. (or go buy a cheap one at wally-world for $9)..
but..if you dont have a mouse.. or dont want to screw with one.. the touch pad works just fine.. you just have to use the top keys as opposed to the bottom ones..
other than that.. she works fine..
anyway.. she aint much to look at.. but Im guessing for $40-$50 (battery.. and possibly a mouse) and an hour of tinkering with the software (modem.. and perhaps the touch pad).. you'll have a laptop that you can take to the local B&M and set up a mobile office with
Will get it in the mail today...