[geckoglass]

If this is an inappropriate forum for this request for help, I apologize and would appreciate being directed to an appropriate forum.

Here's my situation...I have "inherited" a Sony laptop, Vaio PCG8 series, that is not working. This unit has been passed down over the years from my brother to his children. Now that the youngest has received a new laptop for Christmas, I am hoping to reclaim this old unit. For two years it operated on the power adapter only, since the battery died and the laptop was used only in the house so portable power was not an issue. However, my nephew dropped the unit and broke the right side hinge for the screen. Now the unit won't power up. I cannot be sure that the unit stopped working right after being dropped, or had stopped working prior to being dropped, or if it worked for awhile after being dropped and then died...!

The power adapter was tested at Circuit City and found to be not working. A new (universal) power adapter was attached and still the unit did not power up. The power indicator lights up but nothing else happens - no noise from the unit. The tech at the store said there could be a problem with the motherboard or processor.

My questions are: does it seem the tech's guesses as to the problem are likely correct? Is it worth replacing these parts? Is this something I can do myself (I am very handy but have never "worked on" a computer system before, except to change modem cards and audio cards on a desktop)? I don't need state of the art equipment, just something I can access the internet on and do some writing in Word. The laptop already has a wireless router set-up. I am making a very uneducated assumption that, since I have the case, the innards, and the screen, it may be worth salvaging this unit rather than, and more cheaply than, buying a new/used laptop. I'm not really cheap but live on a fixed income and can't afford to spend too much for the convenience of a laptop since my desktop is working fine. If this unit is reparable I will continue to use a power adapter to save the added expense of a battery.

I would greatly appreciate any insights and advice you could give me, including sending me to other sources of help and information if this is not the appropriate one for my needs.

Thanks very much.

Barb

Sony Vaio
Model VCG-8M2R
Windows XP
DVD-Rom
wireless card

 

[geckoglass]

Bump

 

[Alex Ethridge]

I'm not an expert on laptops; but, I do have some experience pricing repairs and there is very little in a laptop that is economical to fix. Aside from hard disk, memory and resoldering the commonly broken power connection, there is about nothing.

Replacement keyboards usually cost in the range of $250 and up. Replacement displays easily cost about as much or more than an inexpensive new machine. There is no telling what is wrong with yours. The main board and processor are soldered together and in the case of a laptop is the laptop.

Without even seeing the damage, I would feel safe placing a bet on your being able to buy a laptop of the same or even later vintage for much less than you can repair that one--even if you did the work, yourself. And, if you don't need portability, you could buy a used desktop with much better specifications for the same money.

 

[Compiler]

Most likely the motherboard was damaged when dropped on the corner.

Because of its age and most likely expensive repair - I wouldn't spend money to have a tech tell you the mobo is dead. You could try to UNPLUG everything from the unit (but it sounds like you borrowed a universal PSU) and see if it powers up...

New notebooks of simular stats or better costs start at $550... but you can perhaps find a used one for $250 or so.

 

[Alex Ethridge]

In selecting a new or used desktop or laptop, I recommend you stay away from weak, cheap processors. They are false economy. Avoid Celeron and Duron at all costs. Aim for Pentium or Athlon.

In laptops, there are some processors like Pentium M, Centrino, Turion and (maybe) Sempron that consume less power and thus will run longer on a battery charge; but, that isn't a factor if it is going to sit on a desk all the time and they are less powerful than Pentium and Athlon.

If I had a choice between a 3-Gigahertz Celeron and a 2-Gigahertz Pentium, I would take the Pentium or 2-Gigahertz Athlon without hesitation--and I would have a machine that would perform better and give me less aggravation.

 

[geckoglass]

Thank you so much for the advice about laptop repair. I've never repaired anything electronic and wasn't sure whether this was something that was feasible. I appreciate the straightforward opinions. I guess I'll just save up for a new machine. I've been watching auctions on e-Bay lately but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with buying a used computer, given my lack of knowledge about what makes them "tick". I'd be afraid I was just buying someone else's headache.

Thank you again for taking the time to help. It's good to know there are sites like this whose members are willing to share their knowledge!

 

[jackdw]

I'm sure if you posted a few laptops off ebay that you were itnerested in here, somebody will give an opinion on them...