Laptop Repair

[wyatt]

Does anyone recomend a laptop repair place.
Looks like my motherboard is bad. Might not be
worth repairing. But would like an opinion on it.

Maholo
Wyatt

[oink]

Wyatt,
I don't have an answer to your question but I do a fair amount of computer repairs, although not too much in the laptop Dept. and not on the B.I. I was just wondering why you think it's the motherboard?

S. FL Islander to be

[wyatt]

It does go past the compact symbol won't
go into setup. Hard drive light won't come
on. Just got Hard drive checked at factory.
so. I'm quessing it's MB

Wyatt

[G. Leis]

Falcon Computers (334-1988), seems to be well thought of for repairs & upgrades - although I have no personal experience with them.

If the mobo is toast though, I'd give serious consideration to scrapping the old lapper and getting a new one.

A new mainboard is likely going to set you back a couple hundred bucks. If your existing machine is more than a couple years old, you'll now have an aging box with a new heart but also with other components that will suddenly seem outdated, too small, too slow, etc.

My own theory on laptop hardware upgrades/repairs is if all it needs is a new HD or more RAM I'll do it (scour sites like Slickdeals, or Outpost for component deals), otherwise I think you'd be ahead of the game by simply buying a new machine from Dell or HP.

aloha,
Gene

_______________________

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Edited by - G. Leis on 11/17/2006 09:38:45

[pslamont]

Mark (and everyone),

I have found a small outfit, Anointed Hands Computers, Elija Stutes 959 4556.

He seems to hav the knowledge, contacts and personality for this assitance. He is honest about whether to repair or replace. He charges a $30 fee for diagnostics, which I find very fair. Give him a shot if you can. Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Kahunascott]

Open it up and make sure all the connections are tight. I had the same type of problem with a DELL desktop. It wouldn't load and I was told it was my HD. I opened it up pressed a bunch of components together an "Bham". Up and running.

[oink]

As suggested, check all connections. Removve and reseat the ram. Check for bent pins on the ide connector that plugs into the HD. Have you ever had it into the bios setup? Unplugged and with the main battery removed, try removing the bios battery and leaving it out overnight.

S. FL Islander to be

[HiloHaole]

If the laptop's several years old, it could be the CMOS battery that enables the bootstrap program to start the laptop is bad. Laptops are bad for that. Some laptops have an easily replaceable CMOS battery. I, unfortunately, had a Gateway one time that had the battery soldered on the motherboard. I tried to remove it and solder a new battery on it but melted too much of the solder already on the surrounding parts of the motherboard. The CMOS battery and the inverter that's used for the display are the two of the biggest culprits. That is, if you've treated the laptop right. You can ruin the HD by placing the laptop on the bed or some other place where the air doesn't circulate too well. It distorts the HD and you have to buy another one. I had to replace the HD on my Gateway early on because I would lie in bed and use the laptop (naw, not to watch porno stuff)

[wyatt]

I have tried to reseat the RAM, not been able to reach Setup with our without battery in or out. I haven't tried taking battery out over night.
Will try looking cmos battery next.
I just realized the my slave/master pin jumper is missng. Just got hardrive back from Toshiba
must of left it on when I sent it in.
Anyone have a spare. It is for a 2.5 drive.


Thanks all
Wyatt

[Royall]

Mark, you my want to call Rayn Jones. He lives very close to you (Blacksand area). He looked at the computer that I got from John and acts like he knows what he's doing. Has a nice repair shop set up in his home. His phone number is 990 1407. Please tell him I gave the you the number.

Royall

What goes around comes around!