Laptop motherboard

[GoGeTa006]

So, like a year and a half ago I bought my mother a compaq (big mistake)
a couple days ago the computer wouldnt turn on anymore, i tought maybe it was the monitor so I hooked it up to an external monitor, nothing, then I noticed it kept reseting itself.
I was suspecting the motherboard, i dont know much bout laptops so i took it to a tech guy.

he said "its probably the soldering between the board and the screen"

then he oppened it and called:

"its the motherboard the one that doesnt work anymore"


my options:
- wait for a budget, he said itll be around 200 dlls to fix[/u] Called him, 150 dlls for the piece + 30 dlls to fix (180 dlls total)
- buy a new laptop

the laptop used to be:

compaq
-1 GB RAM
-Windows vista
-Amd x2 i think it was 1.8 ghz
-nvidia integrated graphics
-160 GB hd

worth the fix? or get a new one?

I was looking for laptop parts, maybe I can replace it myself (is it too hard??) but i also saw them around 180ish

[fohfoh]

I'd rather invest the extra cash in grabbing a new computer. Even if you replace the Mobo, it's going to die again. Compaq has bad airflow just like HP and Dell. Not entirely sure... but is that Nvidia one of those problem 8xxx series?

[DaggerLite]

Depends on the fix. If you're getting the same motherboard, don't. It might die again, because it's defective. My laptop (HP) was the same, because the GPU is a defective which suddenly stopped working for no good reason after 2 years. Because electronics can't be defective by marketing law within the first 5 years where I live, I got it fixed for free after yelling at HP some. Are you sure you can't exploit some kind of insurance on it? I think most companies offer a limited warranty within the first year or two.

Also, what's a "dll"? Dollar? USD? Tell him he can have copies of your entire System32 folder if that makes him happy. Plese don't use retarded acronyms that you make up (and I'm sorry if I'm the one being retarded for misunderstanding you).

[GoGeTa006]

Depends on the fix. If you're getting the same motherboard, don't. It might die again, because it's defective. My laptop (HP) was the same, because the GPU is a defective which suddenly stopped working for no good reason after 2 years. Because electronics can't be defective by marketing law within the first 5 years where I live, I got it fixed for free after yelling at HP some. Are you sure you can't exploit some kind of insurance on it? I think most companies offer a limited warranty within the first year or two.

Also, what's a "dll"? Dollar? USD? Tell him he can have copies of your entire System32 folder if that makes him happy. Plese don't use retarded acronyms that you make up (and I'm sorry if I'm the one being retarded for misunderstanding you).

i missed the "S"
it was supposed to be dlls (US DOLLAR)

and yes im thinking about getting a new one. He said he'd get a new motherboard, I did some research and found new motherboards for over 180 dlls (DOLLARS), that makes me think he will just get it refurbished. 

[fohfoh]

Next time, use USD and not dlls. There's a reason the rest of us use AUD(?) or CAD or HKD or w/e. There's a shitload of currencies called the "dollar".

Seriously, you have 180 USD and you can't find a good post boxing day laptop? Spend 300 and get something that's not a piece of shit. Old maybe... but not shitty. Salvage parts from the compaq, sell the screen if you can put the ram and spend 10 bucks to turn the old HDD into an external.

Seriously. Don't fix that piece of shit. You're just wasting your money.

[NaRu]

Never get a refurbished laptop motherboard.... I say get a new laptop. Laptops don't cost that much anymore. You can get a decent one for $500

[fohfoh]

Oh also try and stay away from cheap dells, (Since people like to support the XPS for some odd reason), HP cheap ones aren't that great either, but the business ones are usually quite decent, compaq blows... don't bother. and gateway sits right there with dell.

Toshiba isn't bad for a cheap one
Neither is Asus
Though for some odd reason, I can see an MSi fitting your needs nicely
Sony is sometimes good sometimes bad. (debatable) Either your unit works flawlessly, or you get a lemon. Not sure why Sony USA has all these hoops and everything, but Sony Canada (though having less options than USA) generally gets free fixes and repairs. (Though "retarded fixes" are charged to people who don't take care of their components. ie: You clogged up your computer with dust, they clean it out, put on new thermal paste and charge you a nice 120 dollar fee for "repairs")

[psyren]

The newer HPs are very good. Especially the models with P-branded C2Ds.

Gogeta, what the fuck is the point of asking us for advice if you're just going to ignore us and do your own thing anyway?

[GoGeTa006]

The newer HPs are very good. Especially the models with P-branded C2Ds.

Gogeta, what the fuck is the point of asking us for advice if you're just going to ignore us and do your own thing anyway?

hey hey hey
whoever said that?
i said "thinking bout getting a new one"
also there was the question:
"is this laptop worth fixing (thats why i mentioned the specs)
and
"is it hard to change a motherboard by my own?"


and yes I am counting your opinion, but it seems unanimously that I should get a new one.

and actually Psy, Im taking YOUR post into consideration, since I didnt know if hp was anygood. . .

ok another question

Hp = fail?
Dell, Compaq = fail <--fact

I dont know much about gateway
I know toshiba aint bad.

Asus and MSI, never heard any reviews on them

Sony Vaio (heard good stuff) <--to expensive


I happen to work at sears and have my 10% off so I guess ill order one from them.
which models are good?
cause I found this ones to suit my budget:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00309178000P?mv=rr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00309161000P?mv=rr

[geoffreak]

I have to second Psy's recommendation. HP's are some of the better Windows laptops on the market.

I would highly advise against a used or refurbished laptop. Most Windows laptops aren't meant to last more than 2-3 years.

[fohfoh]

The only issues I have with Dell and HP are the fact that they are the ones that always seem to be the ones hot enough to sear off skin. OLD HP was awesome. Newer HP... only if you DO NOT CHOOSE A MODEL THAT HAS ONE OF THOSE FREAKING FIREPLACES IN THEM namely the C2D or the AMD. ONLY if they have a P Series Centrino which runs cooler, with less strain and lower voltage. (But you're still running around and looking at about 800+ for those)

Actually Acer isn't bad either.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00301609000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Laptops&sName=View+All

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00314314000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Laptops&sName=View+All

This one isn't bad, even though it's still one of those shitty fire hot processors, Acers and Toshiba are your best bet in trying to run either an AMD or a C2D in a laptop.

However, my favourite choice after taking a quick glace are the lenovos. Those things are BUILT TOUGH. Love them. (Got my brother one, but I don't have one myself. Am considering getting one for my next laptop)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00301457000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Laptops&sName=View+All

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00316149000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Laptops&sName=View+All

Lenovo is one of the best in my personal opinion when it comes to durability.

[NaRu]

I have a Acer, Lenovo, and a Toshiba laptop and all three of them works well

[Lupin]

Hp = fail?

The laptops designed by Voodoo are good

[mgz]

HP = Compaq its amazing just like dell = alienware

[psyren]

HP owns Compaq, just like Dell owns Alienware, but that does not mean they are the same. The build process is still separate.

[fohfoh]

HP owns Compaq, just like Dell owns Alienware, but that does not mean they are the same. The build process is still separate.

HP = Compaq = Voodoo

Dell = Alienware

Low Dells suck. Top end take Alienware design and quality (supposedly)
Low HP sucks, too crappy. Compaq sucks period. Mid high HP is good. Business line HP = Voodoo if I remember correctly.

Seriously though, regardless of what laptop you buy, if you use it at home, get a LAPTOP COOLER to better increase airflow so that shit doesn't overheat as easy. (Which is why your mobo ate shit in the first place)

[NaRu]

always put your laptop on a hard flat surface and never on your lap

[GoGeTa006]

always put your laptop on a hard flat surface and never on your lap

I know. . .I just find it ironic that they are called lap tops

[geoffreak]

I always have my laptop on my lap when in Mac OSX. When I boot into Windows, it turns into a furnace though.

[bcr123]

I have to second Psy's recommendation. HP's are some of the better Windows laptops on the market.

I would highly advise against a used or refurbished laptop. Most Windows laptops aren't meant to last more than 2-3 years.

I've been using a Pavilion DV6000 (Core2Duo) series laptop for a couple years now, it's been flawless, even with Vista.  It's never gotten hot enough to notice.