Can anyone value this? laser frame computer

[superbovine]

Hey guys,

So I was doing some further excavation in our body shop and came across this gem no one was even aware we had. It literally has never been used as far as I can tell, was poorly covered in a plastic sheet for the last decade, then had years and years of old bumpers etc stacked on top of it.

It has the names Kar Grabber and G-Tronix marked on it, along with several "2006" date stamps on various components. The computer boots up to Windows XP, to a screen asking for a activation key. The site it tells you to get it from is no longer distributing keys and asks you to install a new software suite which I declined of course.

Inside is a Celeron processor computer, I believe it said 400mhz (powah!). There are three drawers filled with things I have never seen, nor does my body guy have any clue about (and he's been the only body guy here since 10+ years before this thing was built).

I'm attaching photos of the unit, drawers, and laser assembly. Does anyone recognize any of this stuff as useful or of any value? Or should I just junk it all for scrap? I have a feeling the software suite update could be fatal (hardware too old) and get into having to sink money into it which is NOT going to happen; and I seriously question the value of the small bits alone.

BTW, the cart quality, if you can't tell from the drawers closed photo, is ****. The drawers don't fit right, the side panels flex heavily like 22ga with thick paint. The casters look nice, heavy duty with locks on all... but the rubber on them is wearing off already having literally only moved 60 feet in their whole life.

Thanks in advance.

 

[American Locomotive]

I don't think its worth much without a working computer. I think at this point it'd have the most value to someone trying to keep their own system going.

 

[superbovine]

That's kind of how I figured it would be.... and I don't suspect the bits are useful on other systems etc.
My concern with updating the computer with new software is that it likely won't be sufficient (be it due to OS, processor speed, ram, etc), never mind that there is a high probability that they are going to want some sort of monetary return for using the new software...and quite honestly I don't care that much.

 

[American Locomotive]

I mean you could just call the company and talk to someone to see if its capable of running again.

 

[larry_g]

Have you gone through the paperwork in the drawer looking for the activation code, maybe the bottom of the keyboard, or written on one of the CD's. Any other files on the computer that may have the code, like a readme file or something?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[superbovine]

Yeah, I went digging through everything (apart from the dust it was basically in delivery-condition), the instructions only say to connect to the internet to retrieve the activation code and that it is a frequent check system (didn't explicitly say that you paid annually, but hinted at it). Doing so, it fails to get a code I would assume because whatever URL it is looking for no longer exists. So using the back up plan sends to you another website which is also no longer in service, and a placeholder tells you download an installer for a scheduling software that doesn't apply to this product (assuming that the URL they send you to got reused for some other discontinued product).

I didn't bother calling them, the thing is 11 years old and the technology apparently is 25 years old looking at some of the copyrights/patents on stuff. It is a few generations old looking at the used stuff available. I don't want to get that involved in something that at best probably can't update past 2006 anyway.

So I hacked it to bits today. I'll put the accessories on ebay I suppose and see if there is any interest, otherwise I just acquired a crapload of strong magnets and lots of articulating toys

Computer is in the recycle pile, box is stripped less the drawers... and it is kinda flimsy. Well, I mean like HF box/cart when empty, maybe a little flimsier. There isn't a lot of structure, just fold-overs at corners, no boxing etc. I was going to gauge the metal but I forgot. We'll see what becomes of it I guess

 

[metaleltr]

That looks like a copy of Chief Automotive Systems measuring system called Velocity Genesis.

Edit: I see now that you have a Chief software disk in the drawer, is that a Chief system?

 

[superbovine]

It is made by Chief, indeed. A predecessor to velocity.

I threw the accessories and PC on eBay for the weekend just for fun. If no bites then the PC will get recycled and the accessories salvaged for usefulness (magnets galore), then artistic use, and what's left recycled.

 

[toolenthusiast]

The laser head is >$1,000 new and they cost nearly that much to rebuild.

It's pretty common to find a system that is missing a handful of targets, so someone might buy those too.

 

[superbovine]

Hah, bummer as I scrapped the laser! Oh well. Here's hoping someone wants the other bits. I put them up for a few hundred/offer. Got a $200 offer on the accessories, so we'll see how the next two days go.
It's all stuff that was headed to a landfill before it was discovered in the junk anyway, so no worries either way.

Thanks for the info!