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Laptop won't start at all - please help!

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  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    tessasmum wrote: »
    It is an Acer Aspire 5920, running Windows Vista Home Premium and is nearly 2 years old.

    There's your problem, cheap laptops are cheap for a reason. It's a throw away, consumer based society.
    A business grade machine would be good for 5-10 years and cost twice as much. :(
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • tessasmum
    tessasmum Posts: 238 Forumite
    I was hoping for some advice about what I might expect a repair shop to test before condemning the machine.

    It wasn't "cheap" to my budget, and I am not someone who encourages a consumerist society - if it is fixable, I would prefer to fix it. I understand that you get what you pay for these days, but I am wondering if the guy in the shop really did all he could to work out what was wrong with it, and I was asking for some advice. I certainly won't find it cheap to buy another one if this one truly has died.

    I take your point that a business grade machine would last longer, but I didn't expect to need to buy a business grade machine for a 14 year old to write essays, produce Powerpoints, MSN her friends, and go on the internet.
    December GC: £350
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    ^^ Ok, you have to excuse me... I tell it like I see it, sometimes my frankness doesn't sit so well!

    To be perfectly honest, I'd expect at least something on the display or a power light or some sign of life. If nothing is present then id say the motherboard was shot. You know of the issues with xbox and PS3 with regards to soldered parts breaking contact, the issue is not limited to games consoles and due to RoHS, many laptops suffer premature death due to the use of substandard lead free soldering processes. It would probably burst into life if the motherboard was removed, prepped and heated to around 300 degree's C, but that's expensive and risky work.
    Component manufacturers normally only spec their components for one reflow process.

    If I might make a suggestion? What I would do is see if I can get a fully refurbed IBM T series (41,42,43,etc) with a warranty, you'd be looking at £180 max. Lot's of refurbishers selling on ebay.
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • tessasmum
    tessasmum Posts: 238 Forumite
    Thank you - I'll have a look on eBay.
    December GC: £350
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