Is it worth repairing laptop?

Vicky123

My laptop keeps switching itself off, this happens as soon as I switch it on, also needs a new battery, I've been running it off mains for a good while now. I'm wondering if it's worth having it repaired or just replace it with something cheap and cheerful, had this one about 5yrs and it's had one repair at curries a year or so ago that wasn't that great.
TIA

Heedtheadvice

Depends upon what you need your computer for. Five years old is getting on a bit but if it was a high spec machine it could still be worth getting it going-see if you can get a new battery at a low cost for starters (it may well have other problems too but lots are fixable but may take time and effort). If you cannot do it yourself then a quote from a reputable repairer will answer your question. If it's half the price of a new one then possibly not worth it.

Depending upon what you use it for (and you have stored on the drive -data, pictures,docs,videos etc.) you might be better off buying a tablet such as a HUDL2 or better one for more cost.

esuhl

Is there any indication as to why it turns itself off? Could it be related to the old battery...? Desktop PCs have a small CR2023 battery to power the RTC (clock) and retain CMOS settings. Laptops usually just use the standard laptop battery. If the battery is draining completely, your BIOS settings may be corrupted, causing the machine to reset them and reboot... possibly...

If you leave the machine plugged into the mains after you turn it off... Does it still reboot next time you turn it on? Or, if you change the BIOS settings, and leave the machine unplugged overnight, are the settings retained?

Or is it overheating? Removing the case/panels and vacuuming the insides (very carefully!) should remove any fluff/dust.

bsod

try it without battery

Sooler

Yes - good excuse to buy a new one

Crinkmeister

Switching itself off immediately after turning on is indicative of a fluffed up heatsink. Basically, the CPU is overheating and turning itself off to prevent damage. This is the most likely cause, especially considering the age of the machine.

Vicky123

Crinkmeister wrote: »

Switching itself off immediately after turning on is indicative of a fluffed up heatsink. Basically, the CPU is overheating and turning itself off to prevent damage. This is the most likely cause, especially considering the age of the machine.

So not worth repairing then? It's Acer extensa, and although I would like a new one there are other priorities, then again don't want to shell out for repairs and battery if it's on the way out. Using desktop but that's XP and probably on it's last legs as well, even older than the laptop. Why does everything die at once?

bsod

They haven't died yet, identify the problem first, old machines nearly always benefit from a reinstall, and batteries don't last forever, but most of the time machines are wired to the mains.

Heedtheadvice

You don't say which version of the extensa but I note some of them van have batteries replaced for just £11. Is that not worth a try? [ info from a search and price from Amazon ]

BusterBessie

I'd say these days (unfortunately) a five year old laptop is well into retirement. It's so cheap for a reasonable machine I would just replace it at this stage. Plus it's always nice to get a shiny new toy

fishybusiness

If it needs just a battery, or plus say a keyboard and clean/ Windows rebuild it may be worth looking at.

Shutting down on startup could be many things, starting from a simple... heatsink has come away from CPU, to a faulty board.

Once you start spending your cash, where do you stop?

5 years old, had a repair, won't fire up properly......ditch it, not financially viable.