Laptop Repair

[computerguy]

Since you power it on and it goes off in 2 sec, I think it's probably the mother board and not worth putting a bunch of moeny into it. I would remove the hard drive buy a new compter and sell the old one on ebay for parts.

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by computerguy

Since you power it on and it goes off in 2 sec, I think it's probably the mother board and not worth putting a bunch of moeny into it. I would remove the hard drive buy a new compter and sell the old one on ebay for parts.

I had to chuckle when I saw this.

I've a friend who says there are two kinds of people... those who sell their computers on ebay and those who buy them.

If it was mine and I liked it... I'd just buy a good motherboard off ebay and change it out.

Better yet just get a working one off ebay and move your hardrive over. If it's the same model it should boot right up.

Here's a few Presario F700's

Buy it now $161

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compaq-Presa...item2569d01a8d

Buy it now $130

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPAQ-F700-...item43ab39be1e

Buy it now $119

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Compaq-Presa...item2569d7d403

I'm not recommending those in particular but you should be able to find a replacement on ebay for under $150, or a good motherboard is less then half that if you shop around.

Laptops are surprisingly easy to work on. Most components are simply plug and play and the assembly and disassembly instructions for almost any given model are available online.

Personally every laptop I've owned I bought as parts off ebay then rebuilt it to what I desired specification wise. Older once top of the line models can be had for a fraction of their original cost if you know what your looking for.

For instance right now I'm typing on maxxed out WidowPC517D

http://www.notebookreview.com/defaul...review=WidowPC

It's a beautiful laptop, I would of never considered buying one new. I've used it for years now with no issues whatsoever. In it's most basic form it was something like $2700 new but with the upgrades on mine it would of been more like $4500.

I think they still sell them: http://www.widowpc.com/store/build.p...&ccc_pics=true

If I remember correctly I spent maybe $500 on mine total. No warranty but it's extremely well made, and if it ever breaks I can fix it myself.

It's your call but for me I'd rather just keep what I have, one that I can troubleshoot and repair rather then take the time to learn a new system.

What can I say I like old cars motorcycles and trucks for the same reason.

Jim

[Darkstar]

The widow PC is a sweet laptop, expensive though in todays market. I bet if you imaged the HD onto a SSD and swapped it out it would really scream (if you havent yet)

I wouldn't recommend getting an older used PC off ebay since you never know what it has been through and new laptops are so cheap right now.

I also wouldn't assume the motherboard to be the problem without running some tests, most shutdown problems i have encountered have been from Hard Drives and Power supply/batteries.

George, you find a place to drop it (other than off your kayak) or find a new one?

DD

[Fiskadoro]

Originally Posted by Darkstar

The widow PC is a sweet laptop, expensive though in todays market. I bet if you imaged the HD onto a SSD and swapped it out it would really scream (if you havent yet)

I haven't gone the SSD route yet, still pricey for me, but I hear you

I like my widow though it's still a six year old machine about now. Back when I got it it was still something pretty special but there are a lot more comparable machines out there now. The thing that amazes me about it is the build quality, they put a ton of copper into the heatsinks, and it runs super cool. When I saw it on ebay I was like Holy Shit!! Ended up being the only bidder as I guess no-one new what it was.

Buying whole systems used off ebay has pros and cons no doubt. You definitely want to replace the hard drive for various reasons, on laptops the battery is probably going to be suspect. Those components and the keyboard are the most likely to be abused.

My pet peeve is laptops with damaged power connectors. I've seen laptops where someone literally cracked the motherboard or broke the solder connections by yanking on the cord. Nine times out of ten when someone tells me their laptop shuts down intermittently I find it's a damaged power connector, combined with a old battery that for some reason won't take a charge.

Jim

[bus kid]

Hay Jorge did you ever get a new laptop?

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by bus kid

Hay Jorge did you ever get a new laptop?

DUH!! What do you think I'm using right now? geeeez!

[bus kid]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

DUH!! What do you think I'm using right now? geeeez!

a phone like everyone else.