OT: Local PC repair

[dougster]

Does anyone repair or know of a reputable place that could have a look at my laptop?

I'm in Glasgow.

TIA

[Bladerider]

I could have helped, but I live near Manchester now. If you describe whats wrong I could maybe point you in the right direction what to do.

I come home for a weekend every now and then, so if you aren't desperate, I could look at it next time I'm home.

Is it still the same laptop you have?

[dougster]

Hi Dave, was wondering where you had got to!!

The screen died after a glass of wine was accidentally spilled over the laptop.

I was hoping for a 'friendly' company who could give me a decent quote for a possible replacement. As you well know you have upgraded this Compaq from standard and I stuck in the upgraded DDR you sold me.

I'm running an external monitor (thanks WillieF) but no .mpegs/.wmv play with WMP and all the keys remain very sticky even after a good clean.

The insurers insisted I go to a smaller company and to stay clear of the larger ones like PC World etc.

Thanks again Bladerider!!!

[Bladerider]

I could fix it if you can wait till the next time I'm home.

Looks like you've broken the golden rule, "Don't consume liquid beverages near a computer". That happens to be the number 1 most common fault I get to see.

If it works on an external monitor then you won't be in a desperate hurry. ('cos you really don't want to pay extortionate repair costs if you can get a freebie, right?)

Sticky keys; If you take the keyboard off, and give it a wash in warm (not too hot) soapy water (yes really!), that should sort out the sticky key problem. Just make sure it's thoroughly dry before using it. If that doesn't work, I could supply a new keyboard. (maybe a different country code, but the key covers are a replaceable snap on fitment

Anyway it sounds like you've blown the AGP chip (ATi Radeon mobility P). The cheapest you could get that fixed for comercially, would be the cost of the part, plus 2 hours labour. (About £200 if you're really lucky)

If you want to wait till I get home to fix it for you, I could supply you with a temporary replacement laptop while yours is getting fixed (it's better than the one you have, and your hard drive will slot sraight in).

The cost for all this professional service will be 2 pints down the nearest pub, 'cos I don't work entirely for free ( maybe I should tell that to my boss).

Do you stiill have my phone number?

[dougster]

Dave a replacement was what I was looking for, with a little letter to say this old bag o chips is a write off!!!

[st3ph3n]

Dave, surely if it's working on an external display then the graphics chip is working?

We've sent some laptops to a place in Dunfermline to get looked at. Forget the name though, but I can find out. They generally look at them free of charge from what I remember.

My laptop at work has a lovely big pink bar down the screen, it went to them and their opinion was "£300 to fix". So I'm stuck with it, but I use it mostly as a desktop anyway.

If you're reasonably confident with these things then take it apart and just check the connectors are all seated properly for the screen. Can't do much more damage than you've already done with the wine. I've certainly solved a few problems at work with some tempremental compaqs and toshibas by just cracking them open, quick bash with the spray duster and check of the connectors.

[dougster]

I did open it up and the screen on the lpatop remains VERY dark. (almost black)

.wmv files play in the darkness (you can just see them) but don't appear on external monitor. Quicktime and divx do!!!!

Looks like the wi fi doesn't work any more ( ) so I really need a new one!!!!

[Bladerider]

st3ph3n, thanks for the advice. I'd say I was reasonably confident what's wrong with it since I helped develop that particular laptop.

It's entirely possible the graphics (AGP) chip could work perfectly well on an external monitor but not on the internal LCM or vice versa becuse the RGB (analogue) signal which is sent to the external monitor is completely seperate from the digital signals sent to the LCM, even though it comes from the same source.

Replacement of the graphics chip is a specialist job since it's a BGA device. It's certainly not a write off, but it could be for insurance purposes. Phone me, do you still have my number?

If cetain files play and others don't, I'd reckon it's likely just a matter of re-installing their driver files.

[dougster]

Dave, I got your number!!

Stop being so bloody confident this can be repaired!!!!!

[st3ph3n]

I stand corrected Dave. Laptops are certainly not my specialty. A nice wee database is up my street, but I do get my hands dirty on the odd occasion.

[Scooby Dooby Blue]

Oi oi pimp

Drop an e-mail to; paul(at)diskdepot.co.uk and i'll sort you out with a repair/replacement estimate.

Paul

[dougster]

Superb Paul.

YHM

[ed-209]

I touch goats

[dougster]

Thanks Ed

I still have your number.