Dell Notebook Repair

Dell Notebook Repair questions and answers

Check out the Notebook Repair resrouce section at GeekBlue Portable Computers

Q: Are their any computer(notebook) repair shops in Boston (not geeksquad) that can diagnose my dead Dell laptop?
geeksquad is too much $. think it is the motherboard. Some place I can get to riding the T , please thanks a lot. someone with fair prices

A: Here these guys rock! Boston Computer Support Experts Address : 75 Pinckney Street Boston, MA 02114 Tel. : (617) 594-8700 E-mail : info@bostoncse.com

Q: Can anyone point me in the right direction for a FREE, downloadable, Dell Notebook Latitude D600 start up disk
My mother-in-law has this notebook, which contained a virus, and took it to a "shaddy" repair shop and made the notebook worse. She does not have the money for a new one, but would just rather restore it to the default settings. Her data was wiped out, thanks to the friend's at "Shaddy's" who wiped the info and THEN told her that was the only way to "repair it". Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

A: You can request a free set of replacement disks directly from Dell by filling the form out located here: https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form Please note that the set of replacement disks might not come with a Resource Disk that has the drivers you need. If this is the case you can download the most current drivers for the D600 by visiting this link: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=LAT_PNT_PM_D600&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid= I hope this helps.

Q: What is the cost to fix a dell notebook touchpad, thats under warranty?
I spilled coffee on the touchpad last night and i turned off the computer immediately and turned it upside down for awhile. However the touchpad STILL wont work. Any tips on what i can do to get it to work again. Or how much is it to repair the touchpad buttons?

A: You will need to contact Dell with this question. They sell both a "standard" warranty (which only covers things that are wrong with the way the laptop was made) and they sell extended warranties that cover "user damage" (spilled coffee, etc). If you have the "user damage" warranty, then it will cost you nothing. If you have the "made wrong" warranty, then it will cost you the price of the new touchpad (in the $50-75 range), the labor to replace it, and depending on whether the damage is to the actual touchpad, or the controller on the system board right under it, a possible $350 to replace the system board (plus labor). In that case, it would be cheaper to buy a new laptop then to repair the current one. But only Dell can tell you....

Q: How to contact with Dell repair in Winnipeg, Canada?
my notebook is broken, the error message shows dump of physical memory. How to contact with repair in Winnipeg,Canada. I bought it (inspiron 640m) 10 month ago

A: you don't. companies don't care much about their product they sold you. they already have your money. go back to the place of purchase and MAYBE they can do something for you, but I doubt it.

Q: How long will a new Dell of Acer notebook last before it has to be sent for repair? Thanks.?
Planing to buy one. Which is the best brand and good bargain?

A: one and a half year.

Q: Can't install DELL Notebook System Software.?
A DELL service rep told me I needed to download the DELL notebook system software for my newly repaired Inspiron 600m, because I had trouble installing two crucial drivers, and the Notebook System Software is the only way I can download them. So, whenever I try to install, there is an error message which says "This self-extracting zip file is part of a multidisk zip file. Please insert the last disk of the set". After clicking on "OK" a few times, another message comes up which says "An error occured while unzipping. One or more files were not successfully unzipped. The error code is 110." and when I click "OK" on that, the message goes away, as it should. But whenever I try to install it again, the same thing happens. Is this supposed to happen, and if not, how am I supposed to fix it so it installs normally? Please respond, Cheers. No, I tried downloading it again. It's not a corrupt file. I couldn't manually open it with WinZip. I need another solution, dickhole.

A: you probably downloaded a corrupted file. delete it and download again. if it happens with the new file, manually open it with winzip and extract the files to a folder and inside there, find the install file and open it that way.

Q: I took my notebook in for repair and....?
I finally got it back after long delay for just a simple problem. My notebook was not charging a piece came loose they solder it back in. But now when I turned it on my color is all messed up. Can this be fixed? Or do i fear they messed something up while fixing this. Its a Dell notebook. Any thoughts? Yeah. My color was fine before I took it in. But they took so damn long to just do that simple repair that only took a few hours to do. I fear how long they are going to take when I bring it back in saying they messed my color up. *sighs

A: Notebooks are portable but not that realiable and for gamers like me they run too hot,next time get a P.C.

Q: Why is my Buffalo WHR-G54S access point and Dell notebook intermittently losing connections?
The setup is a Buffalo WHR-G54S in bridge mode (Firewall, router and DHCP disabled) so it just serves as an access point with a LAN switch. DSL comes from a Westell 2200, which is providing modem, firewall, DHCP and routing. The cable from the Westell is plugged into one of the LAN ports on the Buffalo. A desktop PC is plugged into another LAN port on the Buffalo. A Dell Vostro 1500 notebook connects wirelessly to the Buffalo. I am using the Dell Wireless LAN Card Utility and not the Windows Wireless Connection utility to manage the wireless connection. Encryption is AES with a strong password. The PC plugged into the Buffalo LAN port never loses Internet connectivity. The Dell notebook wireless connection sometimes works for days, sometimes drops an established connection and sometimes will not connect at all. When there is a connection, the signal level is excellent and I get 54Mbps. When the Dell notebook doesn’t connect or has lost a connection, I can see the signal on the Dell LAN Utility site monitor and the signal level is excellent. If I run the diagnostics during a failed connection, it usually fails at the association test. Repeated attempts to reconnect using the Dell LAN Card Utility sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t. Sometimes a notebook reboot will work, sometimes not. Sometimes unplugging and replugging the Buffalo power cord will re-establish the connection, sometimes not. Repairing the network connection on the Dell notebook usually doesn’t work. So, as you can see, no fix consistently corrects the problem. Sometimes when I do get a connection, it fails to obtain an IP address, so there is no Internet connectivity. Things I have tried include disabling MAC filtering and trying every channel to find the one with the best signal and least interference (they were all good) and setting the Buffalo on that fixed channel (3) instead of allowing it to change channels. I have also updated the Dell LAN Card Utility to the latest version. I have disconnected all, turned off Westell and Buffalo, reconnected, powered up. The Buffalo has the latest Buffalo firmware. Nothing I have done has cured the problem. This problem has been going on for a year now. Since my problem is intermittent and none of the above procedures will consistently re-establish the connection, I have to conclude that I haven’t hit upon the cause of the problem. I am open for suggestions.

A: Have you tried other security settings. WPA-TKIP etc. Many times the encryption scheme is the issue. Cards and Routers have intermittants if the scheme isn't working and at least a try to see if a different one would work is in order.

Q: Problem with Dell Inspiron Notebook, can it be fixed?
Okay, I was copying cds to my laptop and all of the sudden in the middle of the fourth one it started spinning really fast. SO I took it out and waited for a minute so it could cool down. Then I put the next cd in and it acted like it was going to start, but then just stopped, and windows media player and dell jukebox both didn't recognize that there was anything in the slot? Is there any way that I could fix this without taking it a repair place?

A: Your cd or dvd drive has blown. You could buy a replacement and fit it yourself if you feel brave.

Q: dell repair?
my notebook screen was broken so i called dell and sent them my laptop on friday, they got it on friday...they said it would take 2-3 days does that include the weekends?

A: Usually any kind of company is going to be referring to Monday through Friday business days, not including holidays. I would, however, not hold your breath because from my experience Dell is notorious for taking longer than expected to fix things, (and if you've had your computer for more than a month or so they will give you refurbished instead of new parts for whatever broke.)

Q: Dell...Dell...Dell...Please help!!!?
Does anyone know where I might be able to get me Dell Inspirion 8500 Notebook repaired? Apparently, my hard drive is dead as the computer will not turn on. After working with the Dell technicians for a few hours it was suggested that I mail the pc back to Dell. I've looked into other sources for repair but apperently no one knows anything about Dell hardware parts. Please help...serious responses needed!!!! Also, any idea what the cost will be? Also, the warranty expired last year. This laptop was just purchased in 2003. Spent nearly 2K for it!!!! Yes, it was suggested that it may be the motherboard. My only issue with paying for it to be replaced is will I have other issues after paying for repair. The pc has absolutely no sign of life. None of the lights are working.

A: Sorry that you are having so much trouble. If you get it repaired, it might only last a few more years. In fact, it might crap out again soon. Laptops are rather delicate. The Dell service is probably your only answer. I have shipped notebooks back to then, and I was surprised at how quickly it returned in working order. They ship you the proper box, you stuff it in and sign for it. It might be back THE NEXT DAY. It is simply amazing how they work. Here is your choice,. 1. Take the chance that by spending $400 to get it fixed, that it will last you a while. 2. Buy a new laptop for about $1200. Keep in mind that Dell uses their own parts, so a local guy can't really help you. He'd have to order parts, and it could take WEEKS. For your next laptop, I recommend Toshiba. They also have excellent service, but their laptop is better made. Dell laptops have cheap construction, with keyboards and mousepads that fail. Of course, you heard about their EXPLODING BATTERIES last month. My second choice would be HP. But I do recommend Dell Desktop computers. Their service and use of standard parts in their desktops make them a good value.

Q: I spilled water on my Dell notebook.?
It was a small amount of water and I dried it off and let it set for 48 hours. When I turn it power it on, it powers itself off in about 2 minutes. There is no screen at any time. Any ideas what part might be needed to repair it?

A: It sounds like the water may have ran through to the system board causing more malfunctions than just the keyboard. (Notebook keyboards are NOT cheap to replace by the way. I had one replaced and it cost $300) You probably need to take it to a shop with the problems you are experiencing. It may be cheaper to replace the computer than to get it fixed. Depending on what the repair shop says, they can at least retrieve critical data from the HD for you. I feel for you, because I have had this happen. It's an expensive lesson about keeping liquids AWAY from you laptop. Try connecting an external keyboard to see what happens. I doubt this will fix the probelm, but it is worth a shot.

Q: A problem in a DELL notebook laptop????
I got this problem when one day electricity went of when i was busy working with my laptop. After i restarted the computer, i found that when i try to open some programes, the system suddenly crashes, sometimes, freeze, and sometimes shows a blue screen with some information(ofcourse i cannot read it because it vanishes within few seconds). This problem recalls again and again everytime i turn on the computer. First it works for about 5-10 minutes, and freezes. When i give a second try, it crashes in the middle of the loading of windows, and third time, at the boot menu!!!! I tried safe mode and other boot options, none of them worked. So i tried formating, and even there it crashes in the middle of nowhere. So what is the cause for all this?? is that due to any damge to hardware due to a sudden power loss, is it a problem with the software???? Can any body please give me some ideas, how to try ot correct the problem without going for hardware repairing???

A: First, I would try a Windows Repair. You do not mention which version you are using, so: WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx WindowsXP Repair Explained http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true WindowsXP Repair Tools http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup: http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced Fix and/or Repair Windows http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0 *************************** Vista Vista Repair – a list of help sources http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-fp&p=Vista%20Repair%3f ********************************* If you are unable to help yourself, I'd suggest you contact Dell. Before you do, get out your order number, customer number, serial number of the PC, so you can validate yourself as an owner. Dell also has a Community Forum where you can communicate with other Dell users. http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/?~ck=mn

Q: How much to call Dell for repairing the laptop?
I have something wrong with my laptop and now it's still in Complete Cover. So does that means it's free to fix my notebook?

A: Hi there, you have complete care on your system? Excellent, that means that you are covered for accidental damage on your system. You probably have a corresponding hardware warranty on it as well, they usually go hand in hand. Just in case, you can enter your service tag on this link to see if your system is still under warranty. http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/my_systems_info/details?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs Regardless of whether your system is under warranty or not, you can call Dell tech support for help troubleshooting your system (unless it's really old and came with the old style contracts that actually expired for phone support). If it is under warranty, they will replace whatever part is faulty for free... if it's not covered, they will help you figure out what's wrong with it then get you over to the parts department so that you can get some pricing information. You don't have to buy anything, just get some information so that you can decide where to go from there. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Q: I get the Unmountable Boot Volume blue screen when I try to start my dell notebook?
After my computer froze and I restarted it, I got a message asking me to choose safe mode and some other options. However when I choose any of them, it takes me to the blue screen with the display message Umnountable Boot Volume, with *** STOP: 0x000000ED message. I have already tried to enter the repair XP cd but when I turn my computer on it goes right back to the same blue screen. It doesn't let me go to any command screen - Please help????

A: Umnountable Boot Volume= usually means that the Master Boot Record has been corrupted. Enter the bios, put the cd as the first in the boot order, boot from your recovery cd and repair your OS.