Laptop Issue - Need Opinions

[Feralpeg]

DD came home last weekend. She brought her laptop with her because she was having problems. The first problem is that the laptop is not recognizing when it is plugged into a power source. By the time she got home and turned it on, it only had about five minutes left on the battery. Once it goes dead, we won't be able to start it back up. She has some papers from school that she would like to save. Sadly, she didn't back them up to another source (she will from now on!).

The other problem is that there is a big green line running vertically across the screen.

DD wants me to take the laptop to Best Buy and have it fixed by the Geek Squad. I'm not sure this is a good idea. About a year ago, I had a similar problem with an old laptop. It wouldn't recognize when it was plugged in. I took it to Best Buy. They charged me $75 just to send it off. When it came back, it did not work at all and they said I owed them $175 for a new plug. I told them to send it back because it still didn't work. They ended up replacing the battery (for free). It worked for about 3 months and quite working entirely. I ended up buying a new laptop for a couple hundred dollars more than I flushed down the toilet taking the old one to be repaired.

Now, I'm afraid the same thing could happen to DD's laptop. It is a Toshiba. I paid about $1200 for it new. It is a little over two years old.

Does anyone know what the cost is to replace the screen on a laptop? I just know it's going to be high. I'm also concerned that they won't fix it properly. I'm more inclined to send it directly back to Toshiba, but I'm sure that will be expense. Maybe I should just say forget it and get her a new cheap laptop. I bought myself a Gateway for about $600 and it has been fine. By the way, DD now has my laptop in Tallahassee until I can get something done about hers. Opinions appreciated.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

The problem is the pin down the center where the plug goes into the laptop. It has probably come loose inside and needs to soldered again. Any local computer shop should be able to do that for you, not the big chain stores. It happens here at the office all the time. It costs us $150.00 to get them re-soldered. It is a flaw in the laptop charger design. I am sure if to put the plug in and pull it around a little at the back of the laptop it will start charging. Then you just need to keep that angle to get it to charge.

 

[themarquis]

DD came home last weekend. She brought her laptop with her because she was having problems. The first problem is that the laptop is not recognizing when it is plugged into a power source. By the time she got home and turned it on, it only had about five minutes left on the battery. Once it goes dead, we won't be able to start it back up. She has some papers from school that she would like to save. Sadly, she didn't back them up to another source (she will from now on!).

The other problem is that there is a big green line running vertically across the screen.

DD wants me to take the laptop to Best Buy and have it fixed by the Geek Squad. I'm not sure this is a good idea. About a year ago, I had a similar problem with an old laptop. It wouldn't recognize when it was plugged in. I took it to Best Buy. They charged me $75 just to send it off. When it came back, it did not work at all and they said I owed them $175 for a new plug. I told them to send it back because it still didn't work. They ended up replacing the battery (for free). It worked for about 3 months and quite working entirely. I ended up buying a new laptop for a couple hundred dollars more than I flushed down the toilet taking the old one to be repaired.

Now, I'm afraid the same thing could happen to DD's laptop. It is a Toshiba. I paid about $1200 for it new. It is a little over two years old.

Does anyone know what the cost is to replace the screen on a laptop? I just know it's going to be high. I'm also concerned that they won't fix it properly. I'm more inclined to send it directly back to Toshiba, but I'm sure that will be expense. Maybe I should just say forget it and get her a new cheap laptop. I bought myself a Gateway for about $600 and it has been fine. By the way, DD now has my laptop in Tallahassee until I can get something done about hers. Opinions appreciated.

Yeah, I would not get it fixed personally. I think replacing a screen is very expensive. For the power problem, you might just have a dead charger/plug, so it might be worth going to get a "universal" charger for it (make sure it works with your model) -- I think you can get them on ebay for about 30 - 50 dollars (don't buy them at a retail store because they are very overpriced). BUT ... the risk could be that the actual connection in your laptop is bad or that the battery is messed up ... meaning more $$.

But since the screen is messed up, I just wouldn't bother.

Laptops are very very cheap right now. I generally recommend going for a very inexpensive one (but with an acceptable warantee if you can get it -- at least a year; sometimes there are specials at Dell and other places for an extra year or two for little cost -- a very good idea!). Even a 400-500 dollar laptop these days is more than decent for most purposes and most likely better than your old one! I am a techie, and a while back I bought Dell's cheapest small business model laptop, slapped on a three year warantee (on special) for 575.00. I am very happy with it and wouldn't ever recommend spending more except for people who are into gaming or people who need a very lightweight laptop (that can be worth more money if you really need to lug it around a lot!)

Good luck.

 

[Amlee]

The problem is the pin down the center where the plug goes into the laptop. It has probably come loose inside and needs to soldered again. Any local computer shop should be able to do that for you, not the big chain stores. It happens here at the office all the time. It costs us $150.00 to get them re-soldered. It is a flaw in the laptop charger design. I am sure if to put the plug in and pull it around a little at the back of the laptop it will start charging. Then you just need to keep that angle to get it to charge.

Yup, you have hit the charging problem on the head. As it was told to me. My male plug has a problem inserting into the female. I've had two computers to do this. HP charged me an arm and leg to have it fixed.

As for the green screen, not sure about that one. I would fix the plug and go from there. If the screen is broke, if you fix the plug you should be able to plug it into a moniter and save her papers. Then work on the screen.

 

[DISUNC]

Sounds like the electrical connection on the Motherboard is cracked. The ONLY way this can be fixed is too either sodder or glue it back together. I bet it is located on the back spine of the Laptop.
Anyone reading this NEVER BUY A LAPTOP with the Electric connection on the back spine of a Laptop, get one with the connection on the side.

This is a very common problem with laptops. They should make the electric connection ...more like the usb port.

Unless you personaly know someone (at work, school) who can sodder or glue it, it pretty much hopeless. I suggest that one dont pay more than $100 for this to be fixed.

Laptops are REALLY hard to fix...too many small componets and about 100 teeny tiny screws.

Because most people "beat up" their laptops...I would not spend alot of $ on one. And if you do, get a good Warranty Insurance with it. FYI STAPLES has a GREAT warranty program. The PC-fix it Co they work with Fedex's a box for you to ship the pc to them (they even arrange for pickup)...and are pretty fast (less than a week) in getting it back to you!

 

[Feralpeg]

Thanks, everyone. You've pretty much confirmed what I suspected.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have 2 Toshiba laptops, one screen is totally dead, the other has a green line in it. The screens cost about 800 dollars to replace. Get a screen at Best Buy (plug and play USB OR Serial) and plug the laptop into it. A little awkward, but cheaper than a new screen.

I also have a Compaq which need the cord plug in place re-soldered. They are famous for that issue and BB will charge at least $175 to fix it.

Since we have an over abundance of computers right now at home, the non screen Toshiba is in a drawer, the non electrified Compaq is in a cabinet, I use the other Toshiba if I need to be online in the family room, otherwise my desk top is good.

 

[RadioNate]

Our Toshiba one had the same problem. We just trashed it and got a new one.

 

[Feralpeg]

Well, no more Toshibas for this family!

 

[Amlee]

Well, no more Toshibas for this family!

Well if it helps your feelings any. I have had an HP and a Acer to both have the power plug problem.

 

[maccagerl]

Get a Mac!!

 

[DISUNC]

Well, no more Toshibas for this family!

I had one Toshiba... I swear it was in being fixed more than I used it.

 

[marathonmommy]

Get a Mac!!

LOL! Was just going to say the same thing. Have a Dell at work and a Mac at home. Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

 

[Feralpeg]

I must say. I find the Mac guy a lot more attractive than the PC guy. Not that I would let that affect my decision, but a Mac is looking a lot more likely in my future.

 

[juligrl]

DD came home last weekend. She brought her laptop with her because she was having problems. The first problem is that the laptop is not recognizing when it is plugged into a power source. By the time she got home and turned it on, it only had about five minutes left on the battery. Once it goes dead, we won't be able to start it back up. She has some papers from school that she would like to save. Sadly, she didn't back them up to another source (she will from now on!).

The other problem is that there is a big green line running vertically across the screen.

DD wants me to take the laptop to Best Buy and have it fixed by the Geek Squad. I'm not sure this is a good idea. About a year ago, I had a similar problem with an old laptop. It wouldn't recognize when it was plugged in. I took it to Best Buy. They charged me $75 just to send it off. When it came back, it did not work at all and they said I owed them $175 for a new plug. I told them to send it back because it still didn't work. They ended up replacing the battery (for free). It worked for about 3 months and quite working entirely. I ended up buying a new laptop for a couple hundred dollars more than I flushed down the toilet taking the old one to be repaired.

Now, I'm afraid the same thing could happen to DD's laptop. It is a Toshiba. I paid about $1200 for it new. It is a little over two years old.

Does anyone know what the cost is to replace the screen on a laptop? I just know it's going to be high. I'm also concerned that they won't fix it properly. I'm more inclined to send it directly back to Toshiba, but I'm sure that will be expense. Maybe I should just say forget it and get her a new cheap laptop. I bought myself a Gateway for about $600 and it has been fine. By the way, DD now has my laptop in Tallahassee until I can get something done about hers. Opinions appreciated.

We had the same thing happrn with our old Toshiba too - wouldn't recognize the plug.
I have no idea what the cost is on replacing a screen but I can't imagine it's cheap.

 

[scarlett873]

I had a Toshiba once before too. It pretty much just died. Not entirely sure what happened to it honestly...lol

I went Mac. I bought a MacBook and have been THRILLED with it for about 1 1/2 years now! Just an FYI...Apple offers an education discount on their computers too. I saved about $100 on mine with it! You can go to the Apple website to see if your DD's school is one that participates.

I LOVE my Mac...my favorite feature is the power cord. It's magnetic and it's on the side. If I accidentally trip on the cord, it doesn't send my laptop crashing to the floor!

 

[eowensby]

We have the same problem on our Acer with the power cord. All of the sudden about 2 months ago it kept changing to battery power and I couldn't keep the a/c power nor get it charged. Once I got it just right, I couldn't move it. I even resorted to taping the power cord in just the right place to the back of the screen. I ordered a new power cord on ebay thinking that was the problem. It didn't help one bit. So apparently, like you all are saying it's on the inside and apparently what's inside really does count. I do have to wiggle the cord to get it just right, but it's charging and not solely trying to use battery power. Our next computer will have a side plug thing or better yet, be a MAC.

 

[rie'smom]

My problem with the male plug was with my HP. I also had the green line, so I sent it to HP. It was in warranty. I should back up here and say that I ordered a 1 GB upgrade that I installed myself.

Sent off the computer and I get an email saying they want to charge $300 and the warranty is invalid because the 1 GB memory is not an HP product!!! I still had the HP box. I wrote back and suggested they check their techs.

It seems whoever worked on my HP sent me a 1GB card from Kingston!!!! I never noticed it wasn't an HP part. The sticker was placed above the Kingston name. They sent it back with the Kingston card but it was not installed. However, I never was able to get them to replace the Kingston with an HP part.
No more HPs.

 

[Amlee]

We have the same problem on our Acer with the power cord. All of the sudden about 2 months ago it kept changing to battery power and I couldn't keep the a/c power nor get it charged. Once I got it just right, I couldn't move it. I even resorted to taping the power cord in just the right place to the back of the screen. I ordered a new power cord on ebay thinking that was the problem. It didn't help one bit. So apparently, like you all are saying it's on the inside and apparently what's inside really does count. I do have to wiggle the cord to get it just right, but it's charging and not solely trying to use battery power. Our next computer will have a side plug thing or better yet, be a MAC.

Let me warn you! My Acer did the same thing. I wiggled and taped it also. Then one day, there was a loud pop and a puff of black smoke came out from between the computer and the connection. There then was a small flame, followed by an awful smell of burning wires. All while the computer was setting in my lap. The side of the computer has scorch marks on it from the flame. It scared the crap out of me. Just giving you a heads up!