Laptop Repair

[SamSpade]

I was going through some old junk this weekend - quite literally throwing away old computers, because they are long past their usable lifespan even though they do actually still work - and I found my laptop from just one year ago. It worked for about 4 months before it just wouldn't hold a charge. Worse, it wouldn't work at all straight off the AC.

I never did figure out what the problem was. Since a repair could be expensive, I gave it up, but I now wonder - I'd really like some of that stuff on that laptop, and if it could be fixed for even two thirds the cost of a new one, it'd still be a good deal.

It's a Gateway, out of warranty, but fairly recent model and I could dig up the model number if I was home. What are my chances? Could anyone fix it?

 

[twobit]

Could anyone fix it?

I could fix it. Wanna sell it?

 

[Makavide]

donate you used computers locally

Skill in the use of the personal computer (PC) has evolved from a luxury to a necessity over the past decade. The cost of ownership of a PC has plummeted during his same time period. However, many people of all ages, most school systems, and many community service oriented non-proft corporations still find this cost beyond their means to meet their personal or corporate objectives. The SMARTCO's recycling program provides the opportunity to achieve these objectives and to enhance the computer literacy of our customers and their clients.

 

[Ender]

It shouldn't cost too much to repair it. Sounds like a miffed power supply. Just make sure that when you do/if get it repaired, not to leave it plugged in all the time. Let the battery feed it from time to time - else your battery will need to be re-aligned (if it doesn't already). Newer lithium-ion batteries keep their default setting (power consumption levels) if you let them drain theirselves out each time. =)

 

[SamSpade]

It shouldn't cost too much to repair it. Sounds like a miffed power supply. Just make sure that when you do/if get it repaired, not to leave it plugged in all the time. Let the battery feed it from time to time - else your battery will need to be re-aligned (if it doesn't already). Newer lithium-ion batteries keep their default setting (power consumption levels) if you let them drain theirselves out each time. =)

Well that's what I thought it was, but most places I called - back when it failed - said that laptops were configured so tightly and precisely that "fixing" it was probably pointless, since a repair job probably would cost about the same as a replacement. What I'd heard is that on some of these models, it could be as simple a problem as a burnt our jack to a damaged capacitor - but unless the jack WAS the problem - and I have no way of knowing that right away - the simplest solution would be to replace the motherboard will everything else intact.

I'd tried something like that much earlier and found that laptops are a LOT harder to fix than plain old PC's, which are desgined to be opened and closed a lot.

I've never heard that before about the batteries and it goes against everything I've ever observed from actual use - almost everyone I know keeps theirs plugged in whenever they aren't using it away from the plug - for example, my wife's laptop (which itself is awesome) has been plugged in almost continually for nearly three years without problems.

Anyway, I did get a PM from someone, but I haven't got around to following up on it yet, since I'm a little low on funds at the moment.

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

I was going through some old junk this weekend - quite literally throwing away old computers, because they are long past their usable lifespan even though they do actually still work - and I found my laptop from just one year ago. It worked for about 4 months before it just wouldn't hold a charge. Worse, it wouldn't work at all straight off the AC.

I never did figure out what the problem was. Since a repair could be expensive, I gave it up, but I now wonder - I'd really like some of that stuff on that laptop, and if it could be fixed for even two thirds the cost of a new one, it'd still be a good deal.

It's a Gateway, out of warranty, but fairly recent model and I could dig up the model number if I was home. What are my chances? Could anyone fix it?

Have you tried a different cable. If the power supply is dead, you might as well buy a new one (I can get the files off your hard drive for ya).

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

It shouldn't cost too much to repair it. Sounds like a miffed power supply. Just make sure that when you do/if get it repaired, not to leave it plugged in all the time. Let the battery feed it from time to time - else your battery will need to be re-aligned (if it doesn't already). Newer lithium-ion batteries keep their default setting (power consumption levels) if you let them drain theirselves out each time. =)

Wrong.

Most laptop batteries and power supplies are designed to be plugged in a lot. Plugging in a computer charges the battery until it's maxed, and will work at maximum performance plugged in.

And I would never use my laptop off it's battery for the whole time, battery only lasts 12 hours.

And yeah it would cost a lot, between parts and labor. Replacing power supplies in laptops is a very strenous task, I've done it.

Cheaper to buy a new laptop (they're cheap now if you buy them with XP).

 

[RadioPatrol]

I was going through some old junk this weekend - quite literally throwing away old computers, because they are long past their usable lifespan even though they do actually still work - and I found my laptop from just one year ago. It worked for about 4 months before it just wouldn't hold a charge. Worse, it wouldn't work at all straight off the AC.

I never did figure out what the problem was. Since a repair could be expensive, I gave it up, but I now wonder - I'd really like some of that stuff on that laptop, and if it could be fixed for even two thirds the cost of a new one, it'd still be a good deal.

It's a Gateway, out of warranty, but fairly recent model and I could dig up the model number if I was home. What are my chances? Could anyone fix it?

you could probably find the same model on ebay and just swap the HD ..... I can also help get the files off ....... or for $30 you can buy the "kit yourself"

USB Adapt

 

[Ender]

Wrong.

Most laptop batteries and power supplies are designed to be plugged in a lot. Plugging in a computer charges the battery until it's maxed, and will work at maximum performance plugged in.

And I would never use my laptop off it's battery for the whole time, battery only lasts 12 hours.

Sorry buddy, but I'd have to disagree. Lithium Ion batteries will remember if its charge wasn't entirely discharged prior to being charged again; thus your battery life will shorten the longer you leave it "charging" while it has a full charge. I bet you that your battery life doesn't last 12 hours any more. I'm on a laptop right now in a cafe, I let it train completely - plug it in, charge, repeat. My battery life is about 5 hours, which is pretty good considering I have power management using it for High Performance.

Some older batteries (Ni-MH) are more tolerant of recieving a charge even after a full charge. The newer lithium ion batteries (NiCAD) tend to lose battery life the more it's charged (after being fully charged).

--

As for laptop repairs, most companies try to make it sound elaborate when it really isn't. It's easier to repair an LCD monitor on a laptop than a normal LCD monitor (since all you normally have to do is switch out the LCD itself). As for internal stuff, the power supply can be bothersome; but it's not too difficult as long as the motherboard itself hasn't been fried.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

9 posts and no one answered the mans question.

Who repairs laptops? I need the part where the power cord plugs in replaced and a new battery.

 

[SamSpade]

9 posts and no one answered the mans question.

Who repairs laptops? I need the part where the power cord plugs in replaced and a new battery.

Two laptops, and that's close to the problem - something about the power cord connection, because the battery will neither hold a charge nor will straight AC power the laptop. I've heard these connections burn out.

I'd still pay bucks for the repair, but I am still beginning to think no one can repair them for less than a new one costs.

 

[G-Funk]

Two laptops, and that's close to the problem - something about the power cord connection, because the battery will neither hold a charge nor will straight AC power the laptop. I've heard these connections burn out.

I'd still pay bucks for the repair, but I am still beginning to think no one can repair them for less than a new one costs.

Sam:

a motherboard for a laptop is not cheap... neither is the lcd.. everything else is pretty cheap... its almost just worth buying a new laptop for the cost to get it fixed... I use to do this 3 years ago and did it for 3 years... so I know the kind of costs that are invovled....

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

9 posts and no one answered the mans question.

Who repairs laptops? I need the part where the power cord plugs in replaced and a new battery.

Laptops are the hardest things to diagnose and repair since everything's onboard.

I'm getting a new laptop. Getting a dual-core Mac and not looking back.

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

Two laptops, and that's close to the problem - something about the power cord connection, because the battery will neither hold a charge nor will straight AC power the laptop. I've heard these connections burn out.

I'd still pay bucks for the repair, but I am still beginning to think no one can repair them for less than a new one costs.

The parts themselves wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

Laptops are the hardest things to diagnose and repair since everything's onboard.

I'm getting a new laptop. Getting a dual-core Mac and not looking back.

The laptop works fine. It's the prong where the power cord plugs into the laptop. I can't get it to take power from the cord. I'm sure it's an easy fix if I could only find someone to do it. :shrug: