Using Linux to fix a windows laptop

DB21

Hi guys,

In the space of 12 hours at the weekend, for no discernible reason, my laptop went from fully functional to expensive paperweight. I was told by a friend one possible route to fixing it is to use Linux from a USB stick. I need a bit of step-by-step help with this. I haven't done anything yet, and the only thing I'm getting right now when I swithc on my laptop is a blank screen and the power light being on. Nothing else happens. So what do I do from here once I get Linux onto the USB stick?

bonzodog2

What make and model is your laptop?
You could try YUMI to make a USB bootable stick, with a downloaded Linux LiveCD distro of your choice, to make a USB bootable stick, if your laptop supports it, or burn a CD.

Or you could use that that to save any files you want to keep from the laptop.

Do you know if there is a recovery partition on the laptop? Or do you have recovery CDs?

More details would help !

gouche

If all your getting when you turn on the laptop is a blank screen you might not be able to use Linux to fix it. you need to be able to get into the BIOS to tell the laptop to boot from USB or CD.

Do you get anything at all when you turn it on - any error messages or beeps?

DB21

Don't get anything at all. No lights, no sounds. It came out of nowhere. It was grand on Friday night when I was watching a movie, then Saturday afternoon it wouldn't start. It didn't fall or anything during that time.

gouche

The only time I got nothing at all when turning a computer on was down to RAM not being put in properly. You could try reseating the RAM or take one stick out and try the other stick on its own and then vice versa.

holcus

What Laptop brand and model is this?

PrzemoF

OP, try external monitor or check if there is anything on the screen (bright light and proper angle helps). Sounds like the lamp that is highlighting the screen or voltage inverter that supply power to it are gone.

DB21

It's a Sony Vaio VPCEE3E0E

I tried connecting it to my TV via HDMI and still nothing.

holcus

It sounds like a hardware problem. No Linux can help you with that.
You should definitely take advantage of your warranty if you can.

There are thousands reasons for laptop to behave like that. Most likelly are:
RAM
BIOS
CPU
major chipset on motherboard - my bet is that this could be ATI/AMD northbridge/GPU chipset on motherboard

the best way to make sure is to disassemble laptop taking one part at the time and trying to turn it on. RAM and HDD are easy to get to

Before you try anything else I recommend an ATX reset. Sometimes it can fix a laptop that's doing exactly what yours is doing.

Unplug the laptop, take the battery out, then hold down the power button for 30 seconds. After you've done this try plugging it back in (without the battery) and turn it on again.

If this doesn't work, it most likely is a motherboard issue, which is a vague explanation I know, but unless the ram has suddenly moved, I doubt it's anything else.
My experience is I work with laptop repairs 5 days a week.

DB21

Damn. Is it cheaper to replace the motherboard or get a new computer?

DB21

DB21 wrote: »

Damn. Is it cheaper to replace the motherboard or get a new computer?

It's cheaper to replace the motherboard, but that doesn't mean you should do it unfortunately. If it's the processor I think it is (amd athlon x2) I'd look at investing in a new laptop, preferably a core i3 one under a decent brand, lenovo, sony, acer(metal body ones, not plastic) or the like. Unfortunately we're not all in a position to buy new laptops at any time.

DB21

Yup, that is the processor. I'm moving on from Sony now though. 2nd one in 2 years that's had hardware issues >_>

Should be in some sort of position to replace it once my grant comes in. I'm going to call Sony tomorrow and vent some frustration all the same.

DB21

DB21 wrote: »

Yup, that is the processor. I'm moving on from Sony now though. 2nd one in 2 years that's had hardware issues >_>

Should be in some sort of position to replace it once my grant comes in. I'm going to call Sony tomorrow and vent some frustration all the same.

How old is the laptop out of interest? When you're looking for a new laptop, feel free to ask me for some advice.

DB21

It's just over a year old. Should be getting my grant within the week, so I'll pm you then.

DB21

DB21 wrote: »

It's just over a year old. Should be getting my grant within the week, so I'll pm you then.

You could try and talk to sony about out of warranty repair, if you get it assessed by a recognised repair agent (you could ask Sony who they suggest) and it's determined to be a manufacturing fault, you could be entitled to a reimbursement of the assessment fee and a free repair. Depends where you bought it though.

DB21

I got it from Sony themselves. They replaced my previous laptop after it broke.

DB21

DB21 wrote: »

I got it from Sony themselves. They replaced my previous laptop after it broke.

I would definitely get in contact with them in that case, could end up costing you nothing.

DB21

Tried contacting Sony. Worst 2 hours of my life. Rang one number, phone tells me it's restricted. Tried another, got through. Told to try a different number. Got through. Told to try the original number. Ring Meteor. On hold for 8 minutes. Told everything should be okay now. Try the original number. Still restricted. The Sony office I'm trying to call has NO e-mail address. The only other way to get them is by post.

DB21

DB21 wrote: »

Tried contacting Sony. Worst 2 hours of my life. Rang one number, phone tells me it's restricted. Tried another, got through. Told to try a different number. Got through. Told to try the original number. Ring Meteor. On hold for 8 minutes. Told everything should be okay now. Try the original number. Still restricted. The Sony office I'm trying to call has NO e-mail address. The only other way to get them is by post.

It can be really frustrating, I know. It's up to yourself if you want to pursue it, though I can sympathise annoyance of trying to get manufacturers over the phone. What number are you trying to dial? Is it an English number?

DB21

It was a premium number (1530). Got through in the end. Used all my credit before I got to talk to someone. Not worth it.

With that being said, I need a new laptop.

Budget: €500

Intended use: College work, internet, e-mail

Mobility: Not that important, but preferably not too bulky.

What Operating System do you use? Windows. Intel processor is preferable.

Sorry to hear about the frustrations with contacting Sony.

My recommendation for a laptop goes on this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005UB6OVS/ref=mp_s_a_3?qid=1328737093&sr=8-3

It's a Core i3, 4gb ram and 500gb hd. I'm a big fan of Lenovo, very reliable (they're ibm)

Apologies if that's a mobile version of the site, currently on my phone.

DB21

Hmmmmm

That's a bit outside my budget once shipping comes in. But I'll take it under consideration.

Sorry mate, looks like the price has gone up on that, was under £400 when I viewed it. That's the brand I'd recommend anyway.

arodabomb

Sacramento wrote: »

Sorry mate, looks like the price has gone up on that, was under £400 when I viewed it. That's the brand I'd recommend anyway.

Same model on saveonlaptops coming in at €520 incl delivery

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_G570_1123914.html

A few others G570's with similar specs, different processors all in and around that price.

I have to agree with Sacramento, that is a great laptop. I've had no problems with it.

I bought it from saveonlaptops last august. They couldn't have been easier to deal with.

DB21

Is the Toshiba C660 any good? It's €430, which is a great price.

Fluffy88

This is a bit cheaper than the others posted.
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ASUS_K53E-SX962V_1120763.html

The exchange rate has changed a fair bit since I last looked at it, £387.86 for a i3-2330M laptop would have been a great deal before Christmas.

EDIT: The lenovo at an okay price, http://www.dabs.ie/products/lenovo-g570-i3-2330m-4gb-500gb-dvdrw-15-6--w7hp-7R4Q.html?refs=4294944070-54580000-15&src=3

DB21

Alright, looked at the last couple.

The Lenovo looks pretty good, and I'd expect a decemt laptop for that price.

The ASUS actually beats the Lenovo G570 i3-2330M in specs and price, so I'd consider that one.

My friend has the Toshiba C660, and honestly, I wasn't thrilled by it. Very basic.

One last question; Is the Samsung NP-RV510-A0G any good? Intel processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD. Right now, it looks like a steal at €400, but I'm looking for a second opinion on it.

Fluffy88

You need to give more specific specs or just link us to the laptop.

If it's got an Intel i3-2xxxM then your set, and at €400 it would be a steal.

DB21

Just bumping with a couple of bits of info

1. That Samsung was on offer in Peats. Went to check the site again. Gone, so the offer must have ended.

Argos are doing a deal on this: http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5087138/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/c_2/3|19780850|Laptops+and+netbooks|14419039/c_3/4|cat_14419039|Laptops|14419040.htm Any good?

Torqay

DB21 wrote: »

Argos are doing a deal on this: http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5087138/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/c_2/3|19780850|Laptops+and+netbooks|14419039/c_3/4|cat_14419039|Laptops|14419040.htm Any good?

Good for the money, whether or not it's good enough for, that another question.

You should find a 2nd Gen Core i3 laptop for under 500, if you shop around. The Dual Core Pentium Mobile CPU isn't really up to standard anymore, although they're probably still a good match for AMD Fusion CPUs.

johneire31

Why have you given up so easily on fixing your laptop. It could be something very simple. Most repair shops will have a look at it for you for very little or even free and they will tell you exactly what is wrong with it. Then you know for sure. It could be anything from memory, hard drive, virus, millions of other simple and cheap enough things to sort.

Just a thought..


J

DB21

johneire31 wrote: »

Why have you given up so easily on fixing your laptop. It could be something very simple. Most repair shops will have a look at it for you for very little or even free and they will tell you exactly what is wrong with it. Then you know for sure. It could be anything from memory, hard drive, virus, millions of other simple and cheap enough things to sort.

Just a thought..


J

Been to a couple of repair places. First one said it could be the motherboard. Still waiting to hear back from the second