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Fix or Replace My Laptop Computer?

post #1 of 9
8/31/09 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
While using my laptop earlier I noticed that the screen seemed to flicker ever so slightly. After a couple of minutes of this I also noticed a buzz coming from one of the hinges and a growing black spot on the corner of the screen. Suffice it to say, I'm pretty sure need a new screen. To test it I plugged it into my LCD TV, the buzzing stopped and everything looked fine on the TV. To me this says it's most likely a problem with the screen and not the computer itself.

The computer is a little over three years old. When I got it it wasn't the fastest out there, but I'd say it was better than middle of the road (I can't remember the specs at the moment). I'm trying to figure out if it would be worth repairing the screen or just scrapping the whole deal and starting over. If I decide to get a new one my price ceiling would be about $1k. I primarily use my laptop for surfing the internet and watching streaming movies/DVDs, so, as much as it threatens my male ego, I don't need anything ridiculous.

Does anyone have any input? Anyone ever replace a laptop screen? What was the cost? How hard are they to replace yourself? I've done a fair amount of work on desktop PCs, so I know my way around, but I've never done much with a laptop. It's a Dell XPS if that helps.
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post #2 of 9
8/31/09 at 7:57pm
I'd say it's worth a shot. Dell XPS is pretty easy to find parts for on eBay, LCD screens are < $100, inverters are much cheaper if that's what's wrong. Shouldn't be too hard to take apart and pop in a new screen either.
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post #3 of 9
9/1/09 at 1:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomerJ View Post
I'd say it's worth a shot. Dell XPS is pretty easy to find parts for on eBay, LCD screens are < $100, inverters are much cheaper if that's what's wrong.

Shouldn't be too hard to take apart and pop in a new screen either.

I didn't even think of the fact that being a Dell would make parts easier to get. I think I'm going to see what I can find. I mean, it's not like I can break it!
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post #4 of 9
9/1/09 at 1:22pm
Just buy a new one for $400. Don't waste your time and $ on an old computer and do your part to stimulate the economy.
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post #5 of 9
9/1/09 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EL72 View Post
Just buy a new one for $400. Don't waste your time and $ on an old computer and do your part to stimulate the economy.

+100


you can get a pretty good laptop for $500 or so, by good I mean it will get you on the net, store a ton of pics and allow you to use the Microsoft Office programs without any hassles. If your needs are more complicated than that, then it may be worth fixing what you have. You are going to spend $150-200 or so to fix, plus your time with no guarantee that you will fix it. If yuo go to the refurb parts of the Dell/HP sites, you can get a really good laptop at a great price.
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post #6 of 9
9/1/09 at 1:46pm
Would not recommend, but when you get a new laptop you may want to see if you can do something for fun.

http://store.earthlcd.com/
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post #7 of 9
9/1/09 at 2:04pm
It could just be the cable connecting the LCD to the motherboard... if you're comfortable with it, pop it open and try and tighten it.
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post #8 of 9
9/1/09 at 2:20pm
Yeah, personally I'd get a new laptop. +1 on Ed's post.
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post #9 of 9
9/1/09 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EL72 View Post
Just buy a new one for $400. Don't waste your time and $ on an old computer and do your part to stimulate the economy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by edmorel View Post
+100
you can get a pretty good laptop for $500 or so, by good I mean it will get you on the net, store a ton of pics and allow you to use the Microsoft Office programs without any hassles. If your needs are more complicated than that, then it may be worth fixing what you have. You are going to spend $150-200 or so to fix, plus your time with no guarantee that you will fix it. If yuo go to the refurb parts of the Dell/HP sites, you can get a really good laptop at a great price.

The more I read, the more I'm leaning toward buying a new one. The hinges on mine have been iffy for a while, too, so we're not talking about a laptop that's perfect outside of the screen issue. Plus, they're so cheap now it's barely worth repairing anything, let alone a laptop that's over three years old.

Thanks for the input, everyone!
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