OT: Any computer repair experts out there ?
Papi_Chulo
Miami, FL (or the nearest big-booty club)
Lately my laptop has been freezing up at times I have to do a manual power-down and power back up.
When it freezes; I hear the fan on – IDK if this means it’s overheating or what – but once it freezes and I’m hearing the fan; all I can do is power-down and back up again and then it seems to work ok for the rest of the time.
Is my laptop just on its last legs (have had it for 4 years) or is this something common that can be remedied?
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18 comments
Plus scan and compress your hard drive.
Is running Linux really a practical solution for John Q Public who isn't a computer geek? I've read articles that claim in theory you can run MS Office using softwsre such as Crossover or Wine, but I'd like to hear from someone who actually runs it with a mess of issues.
In the real world people use Excel and Word and video conference with GoToMeeting etc. Is Linux really a good alternative?
And what do you mean by a "chill" - i.e. turning it off?
Older batteries can have a problem when charging. Especially if they're not *holding* a charge.
Your power supply might be going bad too, if the problem occurs when plugged in.
"... Older batteries can have a problem when charging. Especially if they're not *holding* a charge ..."
My battery is def bad - it only holds charge for about 30 to 45 mins when fully charged and I get "Consider replacing your battery" message on my battery icon - so maybe that's it.
Laptops have all the same kind of circuitry in them as desktops, but in a smaller space that's either more-tightly sealed or more subject to whatever dust and junk you kick up when you're using it. And that's all with only a little fan on the side to try and keep it alive, whose vents no one ever cleans and sometimes gets caught up with hair and dust and junk.
Plus, yeah, when your battery is going bad, that energy that the battery isn't taking as a charge still has to go somewhere, so it often becomes heat. And that's bad.
All it takes is one time overheating the wrong way for a circuit or two to go in the motherboard. And at that point, you're getting a new laptop.
George hit it right on the money, though. $20 can get you a little shelf with a couple of USB-connectable fans on the bottom that will pull enough heat away from the machine to keep it safe. I make sure to have mine with me during the summer, as I have to be on mine outside on 100 degree days sometimes. Probably the best thing for you to save your laptop.
Yeah – I actually thought about that recently after posting this thread and getting back the feedback – I usually have my laptop plugged in but I may just go ahead and buy a new battery since it needs one anyway.