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Ismael92

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Post Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:08 am

Re: Computer Repairs

You have a funny voice, Cobra :D
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SlntCobra1

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Post Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:21 am

Re: Computer Repairs

Hey, I like to make funny voices from time to time. I also have a really excellent Irish accent and Indian accent. :) 8-) 8-)
95% of teens would cry if the Jonas brothers were about to jump off of a 10 story building. I'm one of the 5% who would bring popcorn and invite friends.
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ByteSlinger

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Post Sun Jun 27, 2010 2:43 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

SlntCobra1 wrote:Hey, I like to make funny voices from time to time. I also have a really excellent Irish accent and Indian accent. :) 8-) 8-)


Not to mention he never knows when to be quiet! He is definitely a chatterbox, and loves to get the last word in!

(go ahead, you know you're going to say something!)

I'll be converting the second video shortly!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
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EagleRock

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Post Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:02 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

ByteSlinger wrote:
SlntCobra1 wrote:Hey, I like to make funny voices from time to time. I also have a really excellent Irish accent and Indian accent. :) 8-) 8-)


Not to mention he never knows when to be quiet! He is definitely a chatterbox, and loves to get the last word in!

(go ahead, you know you're going to say something!)

I'll be converting the second video shortly!

:lol: :lol: :lol:


I just realized something. Cobra could make a living as the next Kanye West. Can't you see him as the new "IMMA LET YOU FINISH" guy?
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ByteSlinger

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Post Mon Jun 28, 2010 4:53 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

SlntCobra1 wrote:Hey, I like to make funny voices from time to time. I also have a really excellent Irish accent and Indian accent. :) 8-) 8-)


Well, since you brought it up - you did squeal a lot as the repairman pointed out the mystical components of your laptop. It was almost comical - he sat there, calmly doing his work, and half the time you were watching him like he just gave fire to a caveman - and the other half you were so excited you just kept talking and talking:

"What's that?" *points to RAM chips on the underside of his partially disassembled laptop*

"Those are your memory chips" *repair guy calmly answers, taking out screws and carefully keeping track of the ever growing pile of little parts he's removed*

"Memory!??! Those are memory chips?!?! How many can I have? How much memory does my laptop take? Do you have any with you? Can I upgrade it later? Does it cost alot? Will you adopt me?...."


I can't fault you for being inquisitive, but at times, it was very comical. Seriously, though - I hope you learned a lot about your hardware and your laptop from this little adventure. You did ask some decent questions - and not too many people have a video journal on how to open up - and then PROPERLY REASSEMBLE - their own laptop. I would definitely hold onto this video for future reference - or, if for nothing else, the comedy value!
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SlntCobra1

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Post Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:51 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

Well I know how much RAM I have Byte. You're giving me too little credit here. I may not be on the same level as you and Eagle, but I do my way around a computer well enough to do what I want to do. That and it was the first time I've ever seen the inside of my laptop. For the record, those "squeals" were me whistling in surprise.

:lol: :lol: :lol:
95% of teens would cry if the Jonas brothers were about to jump off of a 10 story building. I'm one of the 5% who would bring popcorn and invite friends.
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EagleRock

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Post Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:36 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

SlntCobra1 wrote:Well I know how much RAM I have Byte. You're giving me too little credit here. I may not be on the same level as you and Eagle, but I do my way around a computer well enough to do what I want to do. That and it was the first time I've ever seen the inside of my laptop. For the record, those "squeals" were me whistling in surprise.

:lol: :lol: :lol:


Byte's long evaluation of the video reminded me of what you sounded like. You sound like GLaDOS' Curiosity Core!!! Now I can picture it:

"What's that?"

"What's wrong with your legs?"

"Ooh, what's that thing!"

"Hey, you're the lady from the test!"

"That thing has buttons on it!"
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Lizzardis

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Post Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:37 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

EagleRock wrote:Byte's long evaluation of the video reminded me of what you sounded like. You sound like GLaDOS' Curiosity Core!!! Now I can picture it:

"What's that?"

"What's wrong with your legs?"

"Ooh, what's that thing!"

"Hey, you're the lady from the test!"

"That thing has buttons on it!"

Ahahahaha! Now THAT I can picture perfectly. To be fair, I can see the resemblance, yet it's nice to see that you're intrigued in things like that and ask questions. Personally I would have made the repair guy a drink and left him to it, I bet he was highly surprised when you wanted to film it. Haha.

Still though, I loved the part on the first one where you zoomed out and said "Dramatic Camera Angle" turning the camera towards you.

I just sat their laughing as a friend of mine was so confused about what and WHO I was laughing at. Haha.
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ByteSlinger

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Post Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:54 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

Actually, it's good to see some honest amazement and interest in technology. I remember too-many-decades ago when I first jumped into the geek pool that I also was like a kid in a candy shop, oohing and ahhing at everything new. But as time went on, although I do have a healthy curiosity for new technology, and am always eager to embrace the next level, I just don't get that thrill anymore. I can be impressed, and I can appreciate a good chunk of tech - but it just doesn't make me squeal anymore.

Cobra, enjoy your youth! Don't be afraid to show your passion for anything. It's what will keep you feeling alive!
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EagleRock

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Post Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:53 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

ByteSlinger wrote:Cobra, enjoy your youth! Don't be afraid to show your passion for anything. It's what will keep you feeling alive!


I'd have been just as nuts over it as Cobra was if I was 10 years younger and hadn't already fixed dozens of laptops, lol. I can't blame a guy for getting excited over some hardware, either. Especially if it's one that's busted and he has to use everyday, and now it's going to be fixed. ;)
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SlntCobra1

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Post Fri Jul 02, 2010 1:31 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

It is so nice not having to pinch together my hinge just to open my laptop lid anymore! WHEEEEEEE!! :D :D :D :D 8-) 8-) 8-) :lol: :lol: :lol:
95% of teens would cry if the Jonas brothers were about to jump off of a 10 story building. I'm one of the 5% who would bring popcorn and invite friends.
CLICK MAH SIG!!!!
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Sheizenhammer

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Post Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:46 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

Speaking of knackered laptops:

Mine's fucked. It gets untouchably hot after about 10 minutes of use, and now the battery's died too (it keeps saying I've taken the battery out when it's still there, and taking it off the mains supply will kill it just like it would on a regular PC with no battery). Exactly how the battery has gone I've no idea, but it'd be nice to know why I can't even touch the bastard after more than a quick use for the heat it gives off.

What usually causes this? (Other than plain-old-fashioned crappiness.)
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ByteSlinger

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Post Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:05 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

Sheizenhammer wrote:Speaking of knackered laptops:

Mine's fucked. It gets untouchably hot after about 10 minutes of use, and now the battery's died too (it keeps saying I've taken the battery out when it's still there, and taking it off the mains supply will kill it just like it would on a regular PC with no battery). Exactly how the battery has gone I've no idea, but it'd be nice to know why I can't even touch the bastard after more than a quick use for the heat it gives off.

What usually causes this? (Other than plain-old-fashioned crappiness.)


Sounds like a nasty overheating problem. Things to try that may make it better:
1) Always use the laptop on a hard surface - not a bed or pillow or blanket. The air vents under a laptop must always be unblocked, or you will get overheating issues. Right now, I'm using my laptop in my lap - on a small piece of formica board.
2) Using canned spray-air, clean out all of the vents that you can see. Sometimes enough dust builds up to stop air flow - or even the fan itself.
3) If you are handy and want to try a quick fix, you may be able to carefully partially remove the top cover (under the keyboard) and see if you can find the cooling fan and heat sink - it may need to be replaced
4) Belkin puts out a nifty laptop mini-table that has a fan built into it. It plugs into the USB on the laptop, and forces air from under the laptop into the vents. It runs about $30 US retail - seen them at Target, Walmart and all the online computer stores
5) An overheating battery is one of two things: the damn thing is shot, and needs to be replaced - or the recharging circuitry in the laptop is FUBAR. It's usually the first - the average life span of a laptop battery is about 3 years. Depending on the make and model of your laptop, a replacement battery can run anywhere from $60 to $150

Hope these ideas help - let me know how it turns out!. Good Luck! :lol:
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EagleRock

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Post Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:19 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

ByteSlinger wrote:Using canned spray-air, clean out all of the vents that you can see. Sometimes enough dust builds up to stop air flow - or even the fan itself


Hey Sheiz, what brand is your laptop, by the way? I've had heat-related experiences with Toshiba multiple times. They are very susceptible to heat and dust buildup. A friend of mine had a 17" Toshiba that after a year of use, was unable to run for more than 20 minutes without shutting down, unless he used a laptop chill pad (like what Byte mentioned). I offered to clean up his computer thoroughly. When I disassembled it, I found so much dust caked on the heatsink, it came off in a solid piece. Yep. A 1/4" thick strip of condensed dust covering his CPU's exhaust. Once I removed the "felt cloth" on his heatsink, blew the whole thing out with canned air, removed the heatsink, reapplied thermal grease, and reassembled it after a good cleaning, it ran as good as the day he bought it.

Definitely try canned air in the exhausts. However, if that doesn't solve the issue, I'll bet it's a dust issue. It could be the battery like Byte said, but the battery is irreversible without serious cost. Disassembling the laptop is free. If you give the exact make/model, we can find disassembly manuals that will show you how to get to the inside of the laptop to blow it clean. Plus, you might find your own felt cloth to play with!
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Sheizenhammer

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Post Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:29 pm

Re: Computer Repairs

Definitely try canned air in the exhausts. However, if that doesn't solve the issue, I'll bet it's a dust issue. It could be the battery like Byte said, but the battery is irreversible without serious cost. Disassembling the laptop is free. If you give the exact make/model, we can find disassembly manuals that will show you how to get to the inside of the laptop to blow it clean. Plus, you might find your own felt cloth to play with!


It's a Sony Vaio (model PCG-382M), and it's about 3 or 4 years old now, so the battery just plain dying of old age sounds about right. One day it was fine, next it wouldn't keep the computer going at all. I've had a look at the gold connectors between the battery and the laptop, and they don't appear to be damaged or otherwise compromised, so I'm guessing it's the battery itself (if not part of the circuitry connecting the computer to the gold connectors).

I've tried getting it apart, and... let's just say I don't think this was put together by hand. There are screws in places no natural arrangement of fingers and manual screwdrivers could ever get into. I did get it partially open, though, and the weird thing is that there doesn't appear to be any noticeable levels of dust in the heat sink, or anywhere for that matter (and trust me: my desktop has expertly instructed me in the ways of a dust-buggered heat sink!). And while I have been using it primarily on a bed, I sometimes have it on my desk (in front of my desktop PC), and despite there being absolutely nothing blocking the underside air vents, it still gets untouchably hot after just as long. Odd.

Maybe it's just the fact that this thing doesn't appear to have much in the way of underside venting to begin with (and a pretty sub-standard cooling system in general), but I dunno. I'll have a look for canned air, but I've honestly never seen it sold in the UK. Living in a small town where mobile phones are considered by some to be witch-craft doesn't help much either. : /
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