Have you ever wonder what is really means your IMEI Phone Code?
I guess no. Well this is a useful info before you buy a new phone.
Press the following on your mobile *#06# and the-international mobile equipment identity number appears. Then check the 7th and 8th numbers:
You can also
1 2 3 4 5 6 7th 8th 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Phone serial no. x x x x x x ? ? x x x x x x x
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 02 or 20 this means your cell phone was assembled in Emirates which is very Bad quality.
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 08 or 80 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Germany which is fair quality.
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 01 or 10 this means your cell phone was manufactured in Finland which is very Good.
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 00 this means your cell phone was manufactured in original factory which is the best Mobile Quality.
IF the Seventh & Eighth digits are 13 this means your cell phone
Want a laptop ?
Easy! Go to the next local store and buy one.
Ups…I don’t have enough money for that notebook that I desire, that I dream, that I want.
There is o solution. In fact always exist a solutin. Buy a used one!
Yesterday a good friend of mine decided that he wants a laptop. Not that is a geek, or a big programmer, but it was his desire: to have a laptop.
Of course the money was a problem, so I suggested his to buy a Second –hand one. In fact I found some good stuff on local second-hand market, and on the Online Auction Sites.
So, for him and for many others here some good 10 steps to buy a Used Laptop. Hope to be useful.
Step 1: The Decision - Finding The Best Used Laptop
Decide what computer you want and then change your mind. Like most people, you probably dream of the newest, hottest thing on the market—maybe a Macbook Air or Dell’s new Studio Hybrid? No. Instead, check out some of the best computers from last year or earlier this year. These are the laptops you should choose from in the used market—and generally, they’ll perform the same tasks that this year’s models do. As an added bonus, you can try to find a computer from 2007 or 2008 with Windows XP installed instead of Vista,or without any operating system.You always cand but a new one .Easy task.
Step 2: Where to Buy
Determine where you will buy your computer. There are four options: eBay, Okazii.ro, local dealers, and straight from the manufacturer. Buying refurbished models from the manufacturer or a local dealer is often more expensive, but they’ll come with attached warranties that will calm your worried hearts. The remaining two options are a bit trickier, but also cheaper. If you plan to use eBay, make sure to find a seller with no less than 100% feedback rating. If the computer arrives broken, a seller with a flawless rating will happily allow a return in order to prevent negative feedback—that’s the beauty of eBay. For a Okazii.ro exchange, make sure to arrange a public meeting spot like a coffee shop where you can inspect the computer fully before purchasing
Step 3: Cracks and Imperfections
Now you need to check for damage. First check for cosmetic issues—and then realize that it doesn’t matter whatsoever. As long as the computer still works, that little chip on the bottom corner will not be a problem. But if you’d like, you can try to get a few bucks knocked off the price because of it.
Step 4: No Purple Haze
One of the most expensive things to replace on a laptop is the screen. Check for any purple or pink discoloration, and if you find any, send the computer back. It’s not worth the hassle or cost of repairs.
Step 5: Testing the Inputs
Check all plugs, sockets, and wireless connections like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Many of these are attached to the motherboard, which is costly to replace. If one USB port is broken and you can live with the other three, then do it. If the headphone jack is broken but you have Bluetooth headphones anyway, then rejoice.
Step 6: Check for a Faulty Hard Drive.
Test the hard drive for errors and remember that replacement drives are generally cheap.
Step 7: Check for a Faulty CD Drive
Try burning all types of media that the drive should support—CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R DL, Blu-Ray,etc.
Step 8: Test the Battery Life
Play some game as you can until the computer’s battery dies. If goes out too fast, try to get the seller to discount the price to make up for the cost of a replacement battery, which can often carry a big price tag.
Step 9: Seek Help
If you don’t want to do all these tests yourself or you want an expert opinion, most repair places would not charge more than $80 for a complete diagnostic check-up. When your used computer cost less than half the original retail price, $80 isn’t much.
Step 10: Wrap it up
For eBay buyers, don’t leave feedback until you’ve checked everything out. If there are any major problems, do not be afraid to return the computer.
Don’t get frustrated if everything isn’t perfect right from the start. Remember that people have problems with their brand new computers pretty often as well. Even if you have to fork up some money for small repairs or upgrades, rest assured that your decision was environmentally and economically sound.
I was looking for a PDA phone to buy so that with Wifi, I could use Messenger even without my laptop. I narrowed my choice down to the e71 or e72 or maybe the N Series from Nokia.,or maybe something from Blackberry
Anyway after sometime of searching, I saw a pretty good deal on second hand phones forums .It turned out the seller was quite dishonest both about the age, the origin and the condition of the phone. Just to help everyone, here is a handy list of items to check when buying a second hand phone
1. Check IMEI
The IMEI is a code that identifies each phone. No 2 phones have the same number and manufacturers use this number to verify stolen phones and the amount of warranty that your phone has. Check that the IMEI number on the phone corresponds to the number on the box and receipts. If the numbers differ, there could be several reasons. The first is that the phone is a stolen/ found set or the phone had been sent for servicing and had the main board replaced. Both situations are warning signs of a problematic phone.
2. Examine the Original Receipt
Get a receipt from the seller. If it comes from a reputable retail outlet, then you do not have to worry much. The receipt will be able to tell you when the phone is bought and how much warranty is left. Phones usually have only 1 year warranty. However if you see a receipt that is of dubious origin, be very wary. The receipt might be faked to make the phone look younger than it actually is. It might even be from a second hand dealer trying to sell off the phone again.
3. Closely Inspect the Exterior
This step is rather simple and should give you an idea of how old the phone is. Wear and tear will occur. Usually this means the buttons' paint will peel of. For PDA phones, the paint near the Stylus slot will also peel off. Ensure that the condition is what you expect to pay for. Ratings by sellers are very subjective therefore when no photos are uploaded, buy only when satisfied of the condition.
4. Stress Test the Keypad
Press all the buttons...many times...phones should be able to withstand multiple presses without giving away.
5. Do a Detailed Check of the Functions
After you are done with the exterior, it is time to check the phone itself. Try every function that the phone has. A laptop or another phone will come in handy at this time. For pocketPC phones, there is a self test function under the "Programs" Menu. You can use that to check the various functions of the phone.
Example of functions to check
• Calling
• SMS
• Bluetooth
• Music Players (Speakers)
• Infrared Red
• Wifi
• GPS
6. Scratches on the Display?
Check the LCD display. Dead pixels are rare in phones unlike LCD monitors. But for phones, try to see if there are scratches on the screen. Scratches are expensive to repair and most people should buy a lcd screen protector to ensure the high resale value of their phone.
7. Moving Parts
Some phones have sliders, flippers. Try them to test if they are flimsy. Moving parts tend to be easily damaged by drops and frequent use.
8. Battery life
Batteries drop in performance as they age. However even a second hand phone should not use more than 10% of its battery in the time you are testing. This point is hard to check and the best solution is to get a personal warranty from the seller so that you can test the battery life later.
9. Charger
Plug in the charger and see if the phone charges the battery. Try to nudge the charger connection a bit to see if the charging port is loose.
10. Accessories
Usually most phones have headsets now. Plug them in and repeat the calling test
One last thing...
11. Is there a Warranty?
Get the warranty card. See if it has been sent in. Some manufacturers will not honor their warranty if the card has not been sent in within a few days of purchase. Some brands will also have their users register their warranty online. Prior to meeting the seller, get the IMEI number and do a warranty check online. Also ask the seller for a 7 days personal warranty so that you have time to interact and ensure that the phone is in working condition.
This is unlikely to be an exhaustive list of what to check when buying a second hand phones. Everyone should exercise caution and bear in the mind the saying of "caveat emptor"
