Posted on 10/22/2006 6:51:56 PM PDT by Tuscaloosa Goldfinch
I've broken the screen on my PC laptop, and since the cost to repair/replace could be at least half the cost of a new laptop, I'm thinking of replacing it. I've never used a mac, and I don't need the stress of learning a new system at the moment lots going on right now.
We do photo editing, and bookkeeping for our business on this laptop. I also need advice on how to transfer the data and all my photo files -- at least a couple of thousand images. Used Alohabob once, and I do want to move everything, so that might work again. Problem -- can't see the screen -- can I attach an auxillary screen to the laptop? It's an avaretec.
you should be able to swap out the hard drive.
with XP there are a few catches, but it should work with a laptop.
Any local PC shop can do it for a few bucks with a transfer cable and a few clicks. You should be able to plug the laptop into an ordinary monitor also. Of course it will no longer be portable.
Good grief! That just happened to me.
It was one of those "oh no, I can't believe I just did that" moments. This big crack appeared across the screen, and everything above the screen was visable, and everything below it...... a mess.
I've lost the backlight or the inverter (or maybe more). It's like trying to read a novel by the light of fireworks.
Personally, being a cheap bastard, I hope to pick up a T22 Thinkpad off of eBay for about $200, give or take.
The unfortunate thing is that XP will croak without all the drivers properly configured for the destination computer. Also, XP licenses that come with portables are not transferable.
So, everyone, if I decide I have to buy a new laptop, what do you recommend? Not too expensive --
Ya know...depending on how technically handy you are, if it *is* just the inverter and if it's a fairly common model, you can pick the part up off of eBay for usually under thirty bucks.
On the other hand, if it turns out it isn't the inverter, you're out the money.
I did some reading just to learn that it might be the inverter. Cheapest I found for screen+inverter assembly is sixty bucks. I'm still considering it.
As for my level of skill, I'll point out that this is a 390x built from the parts of two 390x's and a 390e, so I think I can handle the install. LOL
It's partly being cheap and partly being a hobbyist challenge.
I have one. I tried putting a HD out of a Dell in it, and it would not work. I'm guessing the reverse would also be a problem.
Data transfer via win-doz requires you to do some things on both the primary and secondary computers. Without the screen, this would be a problem because of a lack of interface. If your files were in a shared file, a wireless link would work, but if not, it would be difficult to change the settings.
I dunno.....The video card may support another aux monitor, but this too requires settings.
You could take the drive to someone who is adept at data retrieval, or find another averatec to put your drive in. The one I have, has a AMD 64, it won't run any other drive, and I doubt it's drive will work on anything else.
The only thing I did not try to do, was exchange drives after the boot up, while it was hot and running. I doubt this will work either.The computer would likely go fritzy....but I never tried it.
I highly recommend staying away from Dell. Their customer service is THE WORST and infuritating as H*LL!
Unless the screen is physically damaged, it *could* just be the inverter...so you wouldn't need to replace the screen itself.
I've only done two inverters (worked at a PC shop for awhile), but it was easy enough; just a couple of screws, as I recall.
Backlights are harder, I'd guess...that I'd be more nervous about.
HP?
Still, though...wouldn't an inverter just outright fail? Mine is reduced to about 40% brightness, except for bursts of brightness that don't seem coincident with any motion of the computer, HD activity, etc.
It is in the shop right now, but they were a little backed up and so haven't called me. Just trying to decide -- I'm not very handy -the most advanced thing I've done is add extra memory inside the desktop.
Thanks -- I will try that when I get the computer home. Any suggestions on a new laptop?
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