Laptop repair

[Dilbertgolf]

Looking for laptop repair sources etc. Have 3 year old Dell Inspiron 1521 that bit the dust. Noticed a couple of times it would jus randomly go black screen. Power light would be on but it would unresponive. Kind of like it would go to sleep but not wake up. I could shut it down via the power button and reboot no problem. Then one fatefull day that was no longer the case. The power light comes on but screen is black and it's as if it just won't boot up. Won't even get to the splash screen. I've searched all over the net and found lots of information but no real solution just parts changing ideas. With the price of laptops being what they are I'd like to find someone who can troubleshoot it and tell me for sure, "This is your problem." if I start swapping partsand pieces before long I'll be $ ahead just getting a new one. But, if I can fix this one I would love to do so.

I've seen several eBay options to pay $99 whatever, send it in and they replace failed power switches or chips etc at $50 a pop. But I'd rather stick local if I could. Any suggestions? I've tried plugging into an external monitor to check for video card failure with no luck. Found one issue of failed CMOS battery causing the problem, and tried that with no success I really hate to give up on it and have some Poindexter type buy it for $50 and brag to the chess club that all he had to do was replace the flux capacitor for $2.

[Guest082216-1]

I am in the mid cites and have my own computer repair company. Diagnostics are $59 which does apply towards repair if you decide to fix whatever is wrong.

[Dilbertgolf]

If you want, pm me the address or details and I'll bring it by.

[Dilbertgolf]

Originally Posted by Bubba3452

I am in the mid cites and have my own computer repair company. Diagnostics are $59 which does apply towards repair if you decide to fix whatever is wrong.

You still interested in working on this? If not, let me know and I'll look elsewhere.

[Lust4xxxLife]

Dell laptops are notorious for cracked mother boards causing the kind of problems you described. They are heavy machines and when you pick them up with one hand, they flex. Over time, that leads to trouble. This is exactly why Steve Jobs loves his unibody Macs so much.

However, it's impossible to tell if that's your problem without poking around. My suggestion would be to take Bubba up on his offer. $59 will give you peace of mind relative to the chess club and if repairs are possible and cost-effective, the $59 applies. That's a reasonable deal.

Be sure to screen and check his P411. And make sure he uses latex gloves.

[Guest082216-1]

I have had computers so infected I wondered if I should use gloves to protect myself :-)

[Dilbertgolf]

Originally Posted by Lust4xxxLife

Dell laptops are notorious for cracked mother boards causing the kind of problems you described. They are heavy machines and when you pick them up with one hand, they flex. Over time, that leads to trouble. This is exactly why Steve Jobs loves his unibody Macs so much.

However, it's impossible to tell if that's your problem without poking around. My suggestion would be to take Bubba up on his offer. $59 will give you peace of mind relative to the chess club and if repairs are possible and cost-effective, the $59 applies. That's a reasonable deal.

Be sure to screen and check his P411. And make sure he uses latex gloves.

I definitely plan to. I've read so mangy different things on the net as to what it "might" be. I want to be certain so that I can make a sound decision on ro repair or replace. It's been dependable and problem free up to this point.

[ECC]

This is a free tip. Hook it up to a monitor or a new hd tv with vga. If you can see the screen it gives you an idea of what could be wrong. (video or screen itself)

[GoAheadMkMyDay]

ECC's tip is a good one, but generally I've seen this work more successfully if the screen never comes on.

I have a Dell Latitude that was giving me a very similar problem a few years ago. It turns out it was the power board not the main mother board. Had that replaced quickly and cheaply and its been working fine ever since.

But as the others have said, no way to tell without looking at it.

[guest032712]

anyone know a MAC repair shop

[Guest082216-1]

Dependign on whats wrong, MacRX of Texas, located in Euless may be able to help. If not, I am sure Mark, the owner, can direct you to the right source. PM me for the number if you want it.

[Jasser]

Just a quick test you can do without changing parts....

Hook an external monitor to the laptop and run it. If you don't get the black screen, with the external source, then it's most likely your LCD. If you do, it's the board.