Busted Laptop Help

GeneralElectric · #1 05-25-2009, 07:21 PM

So I have a Sony Vaio laptop, that I posted a few days ago for being sluggish. Well yesterday morning, I was watching a movie, and 10 minutes before it ended, my computer shut itself off, never to be turned on again.

I've tried everything, including using both of my adapters (I had bought two because I didn't know if it'd come with one when I ordered it from Sony) trying different outlets, the works.

Now about two weeks ago, there was a problem with the computer, saying that the battery wasn't connected properly and it would shut down. So I disconnected the battery, since I never use it outside my home anyways, and it worked fine.

This computer is about two years old, and when I called up Sony they estimated 3-600$ to repair this thing. Talking to them they said it might be my battery or power supply, or both. If I decided not to get it repaired, they'd still charge me $100 just for looking at it.

I think that thats pretty ridiculous and god damned expensive. This computer only cost $1600 new 2 years ago, and the mouse broke 2 days after the warranty ended. Money is pretty tight right now for me as rent has gone up and my hours have gone down so sending it to Sony is probably out of the question.

All I have is a clunker of a desktop, which I've been using since yesterday.

So what should I do? Send it in to a place in NYC? How much do you think it'll cost to get it fixed? I think Sony charges an arm and leg, just because they can.

I also have friends who mod computers for fun. Do you think I should turn it to one of them and let them have their way with it? I need my laptop for school and work, as this desktop just isn't cutting it.

iamlowsound · #2 05-25-2009, 07:28 PM

Turn it over to your friends.

lowsound

popinfresh · #3 05-25-2009, 07:29 PM

This is why you buy a mac

blah blah I keeeed.

Why not ask your computer mates to at least have a look?

fdeck · #4 05-25-2009, 07:30 PM

My only advice is: Don't spend more than the price for a new Dell notebook, a number of which are under $400.

GeneralElectric · #5 05-25-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popinfresh

This is why you buy a mac

blah blah I keeeed.

Why not ask your computer mates to at least have a look?

I just got off the phone with my computer friends, at least the ones who answered their phones. They all agreed that Sony is charging way way way too much.

However, none of them really want to touch it as Sony crams all the hardware in there making any repairs difficult.

Also, for what its worth, I had a Mac book and sold it to my friend. The hardware sucks for what you pay for, and the damn thing kept crashing all the time. (Crashed 3 times in 9 months and I kept having to make appointments with the Mac store to get it fixed)

Kenbuntu · #6 05-25-2009, 07:50 PM

I am with iamlowsound on this one. Give it to your friends. The only thing i can think of that could make a laptop not start is, the motherboard shorting out. IMO, its not worth to pay Sony $100 to look at it, and then an additional 500 for the mobo.

Give it to your friends see if they can salvage anything. Head over to Tigerdirect or something, and get a refurbed laptop. They're cheap, are good, and will last if you know how to handle laptops. Also for $5-600, you can probably get a refurbed laptop that's as good if not better than that sony failo.

Trevor.A · #7 05-25-2009, 09:20 PM

My old pos Dell laptop did the same thing. After opening it up, I found that the power board had fried. $15 for a new one on eBay, works great. Give it to your friends, hopefully it'll be something easy like that. Sony is a bastard of a company, I'm not surprised they're charging that much to repair it.

GeneralElectric · #8 05-25-2009, 09:55 PM

Most of my computer friends intimated the same thing Trevor.

I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, do you think I could do this myself?

How do I know which powerboard to get?

tplyons · #9 05-25-2009, 10:21 PM

It's as good as dead to you. Try to salvage it, but don't expect too much, and don't sink too much into it.

Start shopping for a new or refurbished unit in the mean time.

rcarraher · #10 05-25-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

My only advice is: Don't spend more than the price for a new Dell notebook, a number of which are under $400.

Dou you have a volt meter? FDirst thing is to check the power brick and see if its putting out power. If not, and this is common with Viaos, the internal power supply has gone south, some models have a fuse inside the laptop, real close to where the brick plugs in, but if you've never taken one apart, I don't suggest learning on the fly.

You might try Craigs List, Services and see if there is anyone in your area tha works on laptops. I fix them all the time, but I am all the hell and gone on the other coast (Oregon).

Next Time, buy an IBM/Lenovo.. they are tough as hell, and lasy a long time.

GeneralElectric · #11 05-25-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcarraher

Dou you have a volt meter? FDirst thing is to check the power brick and see if its putting out power. If not, and this is common with Viaos, the internal power supply has gone south, some models have a fuse inside the laptop, real close to where the brick plugs in, but if you've never taken one apart, I don't suggest learning on the fly.

I have a volt meter but didn't try it. I have two power bricks for the laptop because I'm an idiot, but neither of them do anything.

I'm going to start calling people tomorrow from the yellow pages.

Also, how much, saying the internal power supply has died, do you think is reasonable to have it fixed?

fdeck · #12 05-25-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Also, how much, saying the internal power supply has died, do you think is reasonable to have it fixed?

I once had an IBM laptop wig out, and I was able to locate spare parts and some disassembly diagrams through Google searching. Sadly, nobody had the actual part I wanted in stock, so I was hosed. Still, there are literally online computer parts junkyards. With a bit of research, you might gather enough info to decide if it's worth a DIY fix.

Also, do check the power supplies. I know you have two, but you'd feel rather dumb if you discovered that they were both broke, after tearing into the computer.

ldervish · #13 05-25-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Start shopping for a new or refurbished unit in the mean time.

+1 You've got to have a plan B

I doubt the soldering experience would help, laptops are all about flimsy cables, tiny screws and hidden clips. Patience is the watchword. Careful rookies can do this. (You haven't got much to lose.)

Sony sounds high on their "bench fee", but most repair shops will charge something for time spent in diagnosis. Some will apply the bench fee to the repair charge if you go ahead and get it fixed at their shop.

How about a little internet search for a repair tutorial on that model? Some offer step-by-step instructions and great pics. Time spent with those could help you evaluate/diagnose the problem as well as guide you in disassembling and reassembling. If you give it a go get one of your techie friends to hang at your elbow for moral support if nothing else.

EDIT: While I was composing, you guys were posting.

rcarraher · #14 05-25-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I have a volt meter but didn't try it. I have two power bricks for the laptop because I'm an idiot, but neither of them do anything.

I'm going to start calling people tomorrow from the yellow pages.

Also, how much, saying the internal power supply has died, do you think is reasonable to have it fixed?

Take one probe on your meter and stick it the hole at the end of the bricks power plug (the end that goes into the laptop) take the other probe and touch it to the sleeve of the plug. It should give you a reading somewhere close to the voltages on the back.

As far as repair costs, depends on whether the interal supply actually is fried. If its just a fuse and you find someone that semi knows what they are doing, I'd charge you like $30-40 bucks. If it is a board you get get off e-bay or something like that, I'd charge you the price + shipping for the part (probably around $15-30 for the part), plus 30-40 bucks. If you can find a reliable tech that does this off of say Craigs list, he shouldn't charge you more than say $20 for an estimate and if you say okay fix it, he should take the $20 and apply it towards the final price. I usually give guys free estimates on laptops if I know they are easy to take apart, but thats just me. If you take it to a shop, they are going to charge you from $60-100 for an estimate, plus parts (marked up) and labor. They have over head if its a shop, so this is realitively reasonable. Beside, they'd rather sell you a new laptop, they make more money. Try and find an experienced tech, some one like me who does this out of there house, but knows what they are doing. In my case, I'm not trying to make a living fixing peoples laptops (or amps, effects, PA's etc...) so I just try and cover costs and make a fair buck for my time.