View Full Version : Computer is going to the shop!
I've had enough of computer glitches - and my USB ports not working. :scry: I think it might be the motherboard and I'm not willing to tackle that on my own.
I'm taking it in to the shop today for repairs...and then I'm going away for a few days...fencing tournament.
Hopefully it will be repaired for when I get back next Tuesday.
So, if anyone is wondering where I am - I'm computerless in another province, dealing with family I haven't seen in years...
Sheesh...sounds kinda scary...:hmm3grin2orange:
Hopefully hubby and #1 son will keep the ship afloat while the rest of us are gone!
Sharon
04-29-2009, 07:42 PM
Hey Rue...I was wondering where you were! Have fun at the tournament!!!thumbs2:
Northernguy
04-30-2009, 12:56 AM
Good luck Rue!:19:
You may want to look at a new tower.It might be about the same price as repairs.
I'm back!
The tournament was fun! My kids did well. Visited with family and it wasn't as stressfull as I had imagined...such a bonus!:hmm3grin2orange:
Got my computer back today - it's a laptop. It's either an issue with Vista or with the Vista/Toshiba model I have...I'm not alone either. Problem is there's no solution. I'm using a USB adaptor in my card slot now.
However, I lost a lot of software in the process...dunno what to do about that...don't have copies of the originals since some were purchased on-line and others were upgrades.:scry:
Still having internet issues at home on the dial-up. Today I'm in the office and I'm reconnected to high-speed...so nice!
coachfraley
05-06-2009, 06:41 PM
Can you install XP on the laptop? It might make life easier.
Sharon
05-06-2009, 06:46 PM
I can't help with the computer issues, but welcome back!!!:ssmile:
Thanks! Nice to be back!:ssmile:
I don't know if I could install XP. The computer came loaded with Vista - and I just spent $134 dollars getting it to work again!
I'm a user...not a tinkerer...that makes it harder for me to fix problems on my own too...
coachfraley
05-06-2009, 07:19 PM
I have done the "revert" for a lot of people who were unhappy with Vista. It has become so common, that most computer companies have created XP drivers for computers that originally shipped with Vista.
More than likely, you would be able to switch, but you would need a full copy of XP.
oldhead
05-06-2009, 08:35 PM
Where did you take it and what did they do? Did they test the board to see if the USB ports are bad? How old is the laptop and do any of the USB ports work??? Also, what version of Vista is the machine running?
However, I lost a lot of software in the process...dunno what to do about that...don't have copies of the originals since some were purchased on-line and others were upgrades.
E-mail/phone the companies and explain the situation. They'll ask you to provide some sort of proof of purchase (ie. paypal confirmation, personal information, first few numbers on your credit card, send a picture of the box it came in, etc). Usually this will work and they'll send you a link to re-download the software... Sometimes the companies are jerks though. If this fails, you could try e-mailing Toshiba or Microsoft and asking if they would be willing to refund the software you lost due to their malfunctioning products...
I know it sounds strange (however ideally it shouldn't), but you'd be surprised what sort of customer service a well-written e-mail can get you sometimes. Especially if you point out that you're loyal to their brand name, but that you know enough to realize that there's other products that would serve you better if their products are unreliable and this likely to result in financial losses.
If they feel that you have a legitimate argument, but more importantly that your experience caused enough losses and inconvenience that your story would persuade others to avoid their products without much doubt, I've found that you can sometimes get your compensation through reasonable criticism and complaint. Don't demand compensation or go off on a rant, just explain how this experience has affected your view of their products and the money it cost you, and ask if they offer any compensation for losses due to defects in their products in instances such as yours.
They probably don't, and you know this. But the great thing about the computer industry is that word of mouth on the internet can actually impact their sales quite a bit. Think about it... Who buys computers the most? Computer people... What do computer people use the most? The internet! So if a computer person wants to find honest opinions about a computer product from another computer person, where do you think they'll go? Walmart?
I've had free stuff sent to me before with just a single e-mail, so sometimes it does actually work if they think your experience could end up hurting the product's image. Especially if they know it's a fairly common problem and other people have complained before.
If getting your software the traditional way fails... Do it the other way...
By which I mean installing Linux and using the synaptic package manager, of course...
Cause I don't, and would never advise anyone to download software from websites like ThePirateBay or Demonoid through free torrent software like utorrent, limewire, or Azureus just because they already paid for it but lost it due to another company's defective products and was expected to pay for it again because none of the companies were willing to take responsibility to compensate their losses resulting from using that company's products. It's a crime with the lowest ratio of charges/offenders with the largest number of offenders worldwide, and maybe 1% of charges involving individual downloaders, but it's still a crime and that's all that matters...
But you'll do whatever you do...
Thanks! thumbs2: I'll have to do that! I start a new short-term contract next week - so I'll be on the computer full-time for a while again...hopefully I can do that during my breaks...
Where did you take it and what did they do? Did they test the board to see if the USB ports are bad? How old is the laptop and do any of the USB ports work??? Also, what version of Vista is the machine running?
I took it into the store I bought my computer from. They have a good rep. The laptop (Toshiba) is almost 2 years old. I'm not sure which version of Vista is running.
No - none of the USB ports were working.
USB ports break a lot... Although all of them breaking is a bit odd...
Usually when USB ports break it's because someone was pushing plugs into it harder than they should have been or was jiggling them around. USB ports can be a bit delicate.
They didn't break...the computer just refused to recognize their existance...
The only way to 'fix' the problem was to buy a new computer...but for $40 I got an adaptor that fits into the card slot. The rest of the cost was labour...
Wild Turkey
05-08-2009, 07:01 PM
Sounds like you are going to need a new motherboard if you want them to work :( hopefully not though.
Yes - that's why the technician said to try the adaptor. If I get a new mother-board I may as well get a new laptop...
Wild Turkey
05-08-2009, 08:24 PM
Yes - that's why the technician said to try the adaptor. If I get a new mother-board I may as well get a new laptop...
it depends on how old the other components are. If they arent going to be compatible with a newer motherboard, they will need to be replaced as well unfortunately. Otherwise no, you just need someone to install the new MB which is a bit of work.
oldhead
05-08-2009, 08:42 PM
I don't understand why you lost software in the process though. What was the deal with that? Glad to hear that you have a work around in the meantime though. Replacing the mother board in a laptop is not worth it. They are getting so cheap these days I would just save up for a new one when you can.
Yes...saving for new laptop now...I can see the end will likely be in sight sooner rather than later...:scry:
I've lost software before when they've reinstalled everything...not sure why.
My new Office 07 upgrade is gone (and it was a bonus I got from hubby's office - they had a spare, and since I do contracts for them I snagged the last one) - but my tech told me to use Open Office instead of getting Office 07. It's free and he said everyone is switching over to it...
...anyone else use/ heard of Open Office? I've downloaded it, and can access all my old files...but I haven't actually used it yet...
Wild Turkey
05-11-2009, 06:16 PM
Yes...saving for new laptop now...I can see the end will likely be in sight sooner rather than later...:scry:
I've lost software before when they've reinstalled everything...not sure why.
My new Office 07 upgrade is gone (and it was a bonus I got from hubby's office - they had a spare, and since I do contracts for them I snagged the last one) - but my tech told me to use Open Office instead of getting Office 07. It's free and he said everyone is switching over to it...
...anyone else use/ heard of Open Office? I've downloaded it, and can access all my old files...but I haven't actually used it yet...
Sounds like whne they "re-installed" they just rolled the Hd back, which would make you loose files.
There are a lot of data recovery programs out there, most work very well.
Its the main reason you should drill three holes in your harddrive and throw it away before selling/giving/throwing away your computer.
However, soon that data will not be retrievable.
The way it works is, when data is "erased" its marked as unused space. The data is still there until it is overwritten, so before you go installing a lot of stuff, use the program to recover the files you are looking for, before only half the file exists or not at all.
oldhead
05-11-2009, 07:09 PM
Man they could have at least backed everything up before doing any major changes like that. If I were you I'd make it the last time that I went there for work... Open Office is ok and gaining in popularity, you might like it if you try it. Do you still have the install disc or anything for 07? You might be able to put it back on. Hope it all works out for you.
*ARGH*
I don't know what to do!
The laptop keeps freezing up on me. I've lost so much time mucking about with it and stressing over it, it's not funny.
Yet it's only 2 years old...with upgrades and recent repair costs added on to it's purchase price. However, I didn't take out the extended warranty (figures, eh?) so I'm stuck with it as is.
I just called hubby and he said go buy a new one...but I can't really afford a new one at the moment...BUT I need it to do any work that I do...I'm not even done this contract job - but it would pay less than a new computer
...no one likely noticed...but my computer died completely in mid-post.
I've spent all day shopping for a new one...no time to waste. Came home with an MSI. I hope it's not a dud too...
Anyway...at least the internet works...now to see if I can reload some files...
oldhead
06-06-2009, 03:03 PM
Congrats on the new machine, hope it works out for you.
Thanks! I was away yesterday, still have stuff to transfer over and need to get it set up today so I can continue the contract job I'm trying to work on for tomorrow...which should end up paying me almost enough to pay for the new computer.:help:
LOL...maybe when it's all settled I'll find it funny.
This model has a webcam...my old one didn't...not too interested in having a webcam, but thought I'd play with it...
...anyone know how to use it? I can't even find a help feature...all my searching for 'webcam' comes up empty. 'Remote digital camera' wasn't any better...
oldhead
06-07-2009, 09:38 PM
Thanks! I was away yesterday, still have stuff to transfer over and need to get it set up today so I can continue the contract job I'm trying to work on for tomorrow...which should end up paying me almost enough to pay for the new computer.:help:
LOL...maybe when it's all settled I'll find it funny.
This model has a webcam...my old one didn't...not too interested in having a webcam, but thought I'd play with it...
...anyone know how to use it? I can't even find a help feature...all my searching for 'webcam' comes up empty. 'Remote digital camera' wasn't any better...
Generally there is software pre-installed on the machine that you can use to access and manage the webcam. Is the machine running Vista? If so you can pull up the default start menu and just type in webcam in the search box. You might find that it locates this software for you. Or you can install something like Skype which will also pull the camera for you.
Wild Turkey
06-07-2009, 09:43 PM
If its Vista I think you can find it in Windows Media Center
But like oldhead said, almost any program can recognize simple webcams, my logitech camera software works with almost any webcam i pop in to usb
A good place to search for free software like a web cam program is download.com, you can search by "free" and "full version" and your operating system
Thanks! It did come with Vista preinstalled. I'll go try again.
Skype I've heard of, but haven't actually used...but I can look into it as well!
If its Vista I think you can find it in Windows Media Center
But like oldhead said, almost any program can recognize simple webcams, my logitech camera software works with almost any webcam i pop in to usb
A good place to search for free software like a web cam program is download.com, you can search by "free" and "full version" and your operating system
Thanks! I didn't check there at all...
I'll let you know if I get it up and running...
Sharon
06-07-2009, 10:16 PM
Gosh Rue...you do sound like you've got some frustrations there...:help: I call my daughter when I get in trouble, and she gives me instructions over the phone. Taurus helped me out, as well...:ssmile:Good luck with it!!!
Thanks!
I am frustrated. I hate getting a new computer 'personalized' to suit me. I always seem to loose stuff in the process...have duplicate files...stuff gets filed differently, etc.
Not to mention...at the end of the day...I want to LIKE the way my computer looks...and I don't like this one. Wish I had the money to pay for looks...lol.
Now my new mouse (black and grey) doesn't match the new computer (white)...and I know it's not important...but it's bugging me...
BTW...you're lucky you have your daughter to rely on for advice. None of my kids are computer oriented...nor is hubby. I'm the most computerish person in the household...
...sad as it is...:help:
This is the model...if anyone is curious...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
Sharon
06-07-2009, 11:12 PM
If the colour of the mouse bugs you, as it would me, they're not that expensive to buy... I just had to replace mine...:ssmile:
Ken went to the store to get it while I did the dishes...He called from the store because they had several "mice", as he called it, and he needed advice!!!
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