Broken laptop - please help

sandra_b

Hi,

my laptop is broken and I am going to go crazy. I think it is power supply. Buttery is dead, only lasts a few minutes, but I was able to see it "started" and then gone off again. Now - no sign, buttery light is not blinking, anything.
Would you know is it complicated to be fixed?
Or would I need to buy a new one?
Can you recommend any computer repair shop?

Thanks!

Plazaman

Not a PC expert but a few quick tests to rule out a few things to see where the problem could lie Battery vs Power Supply

Is the light coming on on the power supply unit? Try using another power adapter from someone elses laptop to see if thats the prob. If the 2nd unit doesn't power it up either, then battery could be the prob. This may sound stupid but do you always recharge from the same plug at home as that could be tripped (again check light on supply unit).

How old is the laptop? Do you travel a lot with it? It is possible for a battery to weaken or lose its connection. Get one of those air cannisters from a PC store, open back of laptop, and blow air onto connection points to clean them.

damagegt

First of check the fuse in the plug on the power supply of the laptop.Remove to battery and try using the power supply ,the laptop should still power on.As mentioned above check to see if the light is coming on on the power supply.Try different socket.

sandra_b

Plazaman wrote: »

Not a PC expert but a few quick tests to rule out a few things to see where the problem could lie Battery vs Power Supply

Is the light coming on on the power supply unit? Try using another power adapter from someone elses laptop to see if thats the prob. If the 2nd unit doesn't power it up either, then battery could be the prob. This may sound stupid but do you always recharge from the same plug at home as that could be tripped (again check light on supply unit).

How old is the laptop? Do you travel a lot with it? It is possible for a battery to weaken or lose its connection. Get one of those air cannisters from a PC store, open back of laptop, and blow air onto connection points to clean them.

No battery is dead it only lasts a few minutes. I always use with cable plugged in.
Light is not coming. I tried with all the plugs at home.
It could be power cable that is broken.
It is Advent, 2 years old.
Do you know any good deal in case I have to buy a new one?

user1842

Most probably its the plug that plugs into the laptop from the charger, it has been damaged. try wiggling it around to see if the laptop light comes on. If it does you need a new charger

sandra_b

dmclean1842 wrote: »

Most probably its the plug that plugs into the laptop from the charger, it has been damaged. try wiggling it around to see if the laptop light comes on. If it does you need a new charger

Do you know any shop where I can get it in the city center?
Is it laptop or electronic shop?
Thank you

user1842

You can get it in Maplin or Argos. Maplin is near Henry Street beside Smiths toyshop on Jervis Street. Argos is in the Jervis shopping center.

Make sure you bring your laptop in with you so you can make sure it fits/works.

To be honest they are rip off expensive and you would be better off to get in on ebay for 1/4 the price if you can wait.

sandra_b

Do I need just a cable or battery? I only use it at home, can it work without battery, just to fix the cable? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

user1842

It can work without the battery no problem (battery might need to be physically there but not working/being used).

You just need a new cable/charger if thats the problem.

sandra_b

dmclean1842 wrote: »

It can work without the battery no problem (battery might need to be physically there but not working/being used).

You just need a new cable/charger if thats the problem.

Where I can buy - is it normal electronic shop or I have to go to laptop shop? Is it any cable or there are special cables for different laptops?

user1842

You can get it in Maplin or Argos. Maplin is near Henry Street beside Smiths toyshop on Jervis Street. Argos is in the Jervis shopping center.

Make sure you bring your laptop in with you so you can make sure it fits/works.

Capt'n Midnight

First check how much that laptop sells for secondhand / how much you could buy one with the same memory / screen / speed for now - that gives you your maximum budget

if the laptop is dead you can still remove the hard drive , keeping your files and using it as an external drive


batteries die , just like car batteries, that's why they are detachable

check the adaptor with a multimeter , ask around

it's and Advent so try PC world/dixons/currys ask them to check if the adaptor is OK or not as you could buy one from them, if they want to charge then leave, if their adaptor works, then check the price, if more than €30 and you don't need in a hurry then make excuses about ATM , leave and you could pick it up on adverts.ie or on the net for less


IMHO all laptop adaptors should have an LED to let you know they are working and I do like those with LED at the end of the cable too

if frequrntly wrapped up tightly then it's wiggle each end of the cable


do you know anyone with a similar laptop - try their adaptor


another common problem is if the connector on the laptop gets damaged, this is a quick fix, 10 seconds soldering the connection , but takes about an hour to take everything apart and put back together again to do the job

what is your location ?

if in college ask the guys in the computer society / netsoc
if at work ask the IT people - or get a friend / family to ask their IT people at work
ask at a Hackerspace

thing is in Ireland everyone knows someone who knows a techie who can could either fix it or recommend a reliable place to get it fixed

sandra_b

Thank you so much! It is power cable. I was in Maplin and tried, but I didn't buy yet as it is 75 euro. In Argos - it is 65. Is there any better option?

I am happy I saw it working, but I'll try to get cheaper option if I can.

user1842

I know they are a total rip off. Do you have a friend who may have one?

You can try Peats in Parnell street.

Anyone else know of a computer repair shop in the city centre that would have a cheap charger?

Sorry I would usually buy online

sandra_b

If I buy online or try from a friend how I know which one? Is it the SAME one as from the shop?
I found this:

.. In general, laptop power supplies are not interchangeable. So "probably safe" and "unlikely to catch fire" is about the best advice you'll get...

... Match voltage exactly. Match amperage closely. A little too low and you don't get much charge while you work. A little too high should in theory be fine, but if it is not well regulated then it might provide too much voltage. Not worth the risk on such expensive equipment, although not a likely outcome.
Match plug size and polarity exactly. Obviously if the size is wrong it won't fit, but if the polarity is wrong the computer might get fried.

Capt'n Midnight

post the charger model and power rating - something like 19V 3.5A - it will be in the small writing on the bottom of the adaptor

sandra_b

MODEL: 0335C2065
INPUT: 100-240V 50-60Hz 1.7A
OUTPUT: 20V 3.25A

Capt'n Midnight

MODEL: 0335C2065 first hit on google



- you may want to shop around and check delivery times and prices but you get an idea of the how much you could save if you don't need it in a hurry



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adaptor-20V-3-25A-0335C2065-Adapter-Charger/dp/B001DTD734
Price: £12.99


10% buy
Laptop LI SHIN Ac Adaptor 20V-3.25A MODEL- 0335C2065 Adapter Charger (Supplied by Globe Trading - includes UK P/cord & 12 month warranty) 5.0 out of 5 stars (2)
£9.99 - delivery may be longer though



OUTPUT: 20V 3.25A (outer 5.5 mm inner 2.5mm = size of plug, very important but rarely stated )

sandra_b

Hi,

thank you so much. That is excellent price!
The problem is I can't wait and I don't have anybody to borrow a cable for a few days. I asked in 2 laptop repair shops and they have universal ones for 50-70 euro, but I don't know what quality that is.

Sony center have one - trust.com for 60E
Laptop shop in Steven's Green has Cooler Master - original price is 79.99 and on sale for 69.99 he told he will reduce to 64.99 .

Which one is better - Cooler master or trust? Or should I look is the fan included?

user1842

Can anyone who has a spare laptop charger PM sandra_b. Also if anyone wants to sell a charger for approx €20 please PM sandra_b (Dublin only) There has got to be someone on boards who has one for sale at a reasonable price.

sandra_b

It will be great if someone can sell me the one for 20e.
But it is universal charger and people usually have specific ones for certain brand.
I'll buy one in the shop as I am going to go mad without laptop until Amazon one arrives.
It is old laptop and I didn't want to invest in it, but if it is universal charger I can use it with the next laptop.
I feel better as all of you were so nice to help me.

You are all so nice! Thank you!

sandra_b

I am sorted. I bought it in Sony center for 50 euro:

http://www.trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=15818

I am happy to have my laptop working now.

One lesson: Laptop repair shops are not the best deals - the one I asked in offered me the same one for 70 euros.
Thank you all

sandra_b

Would you recommend any laptop repair shop in case my laptop is broken again?
I was in some shops searching for the best deal for adaptor.
One is "laptoplap" in Aungier Street, I didn't like them at all. I have a feeling that person saw how I don't have a clue and he even offered to take my laptop and make it run faster.
The other one is in Steven's Green, the guy was very nice. I didn't buy his adaptor at the end, but I really had impression he is OK.
Any recommendations?

Capt'n Midnight

ask here first / the suggestions I posted earlier