Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Is my notebook doomed?

Author
Message
SageTech
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Dec 2004
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 00:55
Link
Hello,

Well, i recieved a thinkpad r40 notebook november last year, and its done well so far, the only problem has been the power adapter getting looser and looser, but that i can live with. However, today while out filming a skate video with some friends, i managed to fall on my laptop. Crossing my fingers, i opened it up when i got home, only to find the display cracked (not cracked literly, but the display has the apearence of being cracked and discoloured). The computer still runs fine, as im using it right now, hooked up to a desktop moniter. Im not sure exactly what i should do, as it is not under any warranty, was just from a friend of a friends, or the likes. If anyone could so kindly point me into the direction of either fixing the screen in some way, or where to buy a new one, i would be thankfull.

If you're so smart, why are you reading my post?
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Les Horribres
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 20th Nov 2005
Location: My Name is... Merry
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 03:17
Link
according to the majority of people I asked this problem "It is cheaper to buy a new laptop then get it fixed, now the crapola 2000 has..."

We all have our inner noob.
Join the NJL: We have MORE fun!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
soapyfish
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Oct 2003
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 03:47
Link
I'm no expert but if I were you I'd make sure I had a backup of EVERYTHING I needed. Just incase the accident caused more damage than is obvious from the outside, you just won't find out until it refuses to turn on.

I AM A MORON
and won't change my sig until I get off my oversized behind and finish a project.
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Pincho Paxton
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Dec 2002
Location:
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 09:58
Link
Your notebook is

You prtobably feel like

Tell your parents

and get a new one

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Me!
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Jul 2005
Location:
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 13:00 Edited at: 3rd Apr 2006 13:01
Link
it will probably cost more to replace the screen than the notebook is worth, I mean, seriously, who goes skateing with a notebook in their backpack?, thats asking for it, put it down to experience, get a new one and next time you go skateing or meet friends who are LEAVE IT AT HOME OR STAY OFF THE ICE/SKATES (or whatever)



Dr Frankenstiens mum told him to make some new friends, not knowing where this was going to lead.
Back to top
Profile PM
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 13:39
Link
Check E-Bay for a screen or borked laptop to match your model.

You'd be surprised how many people are in your boat, like the guy with the fried HD might only want $50 for his broken laptop because it's no real use to him, so take the screen off and fix your broken laptop. Nobody who knows would pretend it's easy to fix laptops, they're awkward and fragile and taking one to bits can drive you over the edge - but your talking about buying a new laptop, a massive expense best avoided.


Van-B

Put away, those fiery biscuits!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Me!
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Jul 2005
Location:
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 15:45 Edited at: 3rd Apr 2006 15:56
Link
umm! taking a laptop to bits is best left to someone who doesnt have to ask if smashing the screen has ruined it maybe, not being snotty but if it hit the ground that hard first thing I would be doing is making a total backup of the HD, not plugging another monitor in and going online, plus it may have damaged the electronics that drive the display, traces could be shorted etc, so even if you put in a good screen it might still not work, then you need a good MOBO etc, either just get a new one and be more carefull or pay a little more than you would for one for spare parts and buy a warrantied one from a laptop refurbisher, theres lots of people online sell refurbished laptops quite reasonable, I got my Toshiba satellite from one, just £117.53 (edit just checked..price included postage) with 6 months warranty, good enough at a pinch, or something like my Acer is now £380 new.

http://www.laptops-used.co.uk/

http://www.rogerhenson.com/laptops.php

http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_314412.html

(tbh my Acer has a slightly better spec...but the last one isn`t too shabby for the money)

edit: in the USA you can prolly do better than that, we tend to pay a premium for PC stuff here in the UK, at one time price in dollars was price in UK pounds when the exchange rate was about 2:1, we where paying twice as much as users in the US for stuff



Dr Frankenstiens mum told him to make some new friends, not knowing where this was going to lead.
Back to top
Profile PM
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 16:10
Link
With laptops, I find that it depends where you drop them. If you fall on them, they tend to be less broken than if they hit concrete .

Drop them on the screen, and it takes most of the impact - it needs it to break the hard plastic back screen!. I'm picturing this laptop with a gnarly crack that moves when you prod it, and ink-like stuff squeezes out. I've seen this probably 6 times in the last 3 years, and everytime they get a new laptop, while the machine works fine in other respects, the screen is goosed.

Fair enough, back up the data because you'd be daft not to, but I don't think the data is at risk in this case, it's more a matter of if he has £400 spare for a new laptop, or if finding a second hand replacement screen is actually something he could handle.

Laptop screens tend to be fiddly to remove, you have to really take your time, but if it's a matter of taking the whole lid, and switching that, then there's not a lot to be concearned about.


Van-B

Put away, those fiery biscuits!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
SageTech
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Dec 2004
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 16:34
Link
trust me, i had my reasons for having the laptop in my bookbag, but anyway VanB, i think i lucked out as theres no ink like stuff squirting out, and the actual screen isnt cracked, but u can tell the lcd screen was. Anyway i looked up replacements on ebay and may have found what im looking for, though that does bring up the new question, how hard is it to replace a screen?

O yes, of course i backed up my data

If you're so smart, why are you reading my post?
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 17:26
Link
If it's the same model, you might get away with replacing the whole lid, like the screen and all - just switch lids. There's always some sort of plug to go between the screen and laptop, be careful with that, but it should be a case of finding the screw heads, probably under little sticky circles, take out the main screws, as few as you need to, then the lid should come off.

Put away, those fiery biscuits!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Me!
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Jul 2005
Location:
Posted: 3rd Apr 2006 17:49
Link
you can very often find online guides like this one

http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-removal-instructions.shtml

just read through it and remember to take anti-static precautions, don`t get too upset if this doesn`t cure it though, theres a good chance it will, but it isn`t guaranteed to work, it could just be more money wasted.



Dr Frankenstiens mum told him to make some new friends, not knowing where this was going to lead.
Back to top
Profile PM
SageTech
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Dec 2004
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 01:14
Link
Just a curious question, i was looking for replacements for my damaged lcd today when i found something that said some laptops are very similiar when it coems to lcd, can any of you confirm or unconfirm this?

If you're so smart, why are you reading my post?
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Chenak
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 04:36
Link
It will probably be more expensive to get the laptop screen fixed than to get a brand new laptop, especially if its a Sony laptop. Cheeky gits charged me £1000 to replace an lcd of a laptop worth £800 . So yup, buy a new one

Out of curiosity, why the heck all of a sudden is everyone calling laptops, notebooks?
Back to top
Profile PM
Les Horribres
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 20th Nov 2005
Location: My Name is... Merry
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 04:41
Link
Van B. That also depends if your laptop likes you

I tried to get to the other side of the MB so I could install ram in THAT slot, but ofcouse, something is holding it down, and I can't find out what... I had every screw, the vent system, HD, CD/DVD RW/ probally more, dislodged, and all I got was something holding it down near where the vent system was removed...

We all have our inner noob.
Join the NJL: We have MORE fun!
When in doubt, blame a mod!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 04:54
Link
my apple technician has a g4 ibook just like this. ITs headless and he uses an lcd monitor when at home and when he gets the new lcd screen it just pops back in without to much of a fuss.

My g3 powerbook 233 had its cpu and lcd replaced to a 266 and the screen was the 15 inch powerbook version without the extra black trim around the screen.

If no-one gives your an answer to a question you have asked, consider:- Is your question clear.- Did you ask nicely.- Are you showing any effort to solve the problem yourself 
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Me!
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Jul 2005
Location:
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 11:00 Edited at: 5th Apr 2006 11:32
Link
Quote: "Just a curious question, i was looking for replacements for my damaged lcd today when i found something that said some laptops are very similiar when it coems to lcd, can any of you confirm or unconfirm this"


yeah, the technology and equipment is quite expensive to manufacture LCD screens so not everyone manufacturers them, there are (iirc) 4 manufacturers for LCD screens in the world, Samsung, LG and Philips are three, most manufacturers then buy screens at the specified size from the makers, if you check some of the panel sites that sell em you will see that 1 type of 14" panel may be listed as a spare for twenty different devices from TV`s to laptops.



Dr Frankenstiens mum told him to make some new friends, not knowing where this was going to lead.
Back to top
Profile PM
Jeku
Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Jul 2003
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 11:09
Link
Quote: "Out of curiosity, why the heck all of a sudden is everyone calling laptops, notebooks?"


Because they're not called laptops anymore for legal issues--- someone burned their lap with one of them

I used to work for HP notebook tech support, and a damaged screen isn't covered by the standard warranty anyways. Plus just to replace the screen would cost around $700US--- and they would wipe the hard drive during the fix (don't ask me why--- I know, it's stupid). Good luck.


Automaton Games website has been revamped! Check it out!
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 5th Apr 2006 11:57
Link
Quote: "someone burned their lap with one of them"


He got off lucky!

They make a special pad to absorb heat for your lap, I ordered one at work for an overheating laptop (last legs, fan had given up). Anyhoo, it came with this notice, warning of the dangers of burnt twangers! - aparantly some guy did a lot of damage to himself .


Van-B

Put away, those fiery biscuits!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2024-11-16 20:52:03
Your offset time is: 2024-11-16 20:52:03