Cheap Laptop Repair Shop Needed - Melbourne

• 

  battler on 19/01/2017 - 10:20

  +1

  google opening the laptop (usually a video on youtube as well) and changing the battery. It is a $2 item and will be DIY-able, even for a novice.
  if there are 2 sticks of ram in the laptop, could try removing one stick and try reboot, then retry with other ram. depending on laptop model the ram may be under a panel on the back (usually 1 or 2 screws), but may also be hiding under the keyboard.

  once it gets beyond that you could well be throwing your money away.

  maybe on airtasker you will find a tech savvy uni student who will have a poke around for $20. Can only try.

  • 

    starbearer on 19/01/2017 - 11:17

    Thanks. I've already tried googling. The thing is, I need to first remove the motherboard to get to the battery coz of the way this laptop is built. I've done the RAM reseating already, which is the only thing I can access from the back panel. Didn't help.

    I'd just be comfortable if someone qualified take a look.

• 

  OverburdenedWarrior on 19/01/2017 - 11:17

  +1

  Start with the CMOS Battery and work up from there. Where abouts in Melbourne are you?

  • 

    starbearer on 19/01/2017 - 11:20

    In the CBD… please refer my above reply. The laptop is built in such a way to allow simple parts replacements. All of them need the motherboard removed.

    • 

      OverburdenedWarrior on 19/01/2017 - 11:24

      +1

      There's two shops I know of near Melbourne Central, in Elizabeth St, but I'm sure they charge an arm and a leg. Might be worth a phone call.

      • 

        starbearer on 19/01/2017 - 15:26

        Thanks. How would you rate the Asian mobile and laptop repair shops seen on every corner?

      • 

        OverburdenedWarrior on 19/01/2017 - 16:43

        +1

        @starbearer: I've previously used the one near the JB, MaXX City I think it's called. It's a DVD & Laptop store in one, but they have a repair-guy on site. I dunno what they charge nowadays. There's also a notebook store just down from them that might take a look at it.

        (Should be able to see both from here: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.8120521,144.962096,3a,51…)

• 

  OverburdenedWarrior on 19/01/2017 - 11:20

  Actually, those three beeps, are they long or short, and are there any delays between them? It sounds like a POST issue, so if you do some googling in relation to that you can get an idea where the problem may lay.

• 

  starbearer on 19/01/2017 - 11:33

  Here is the meaning and possible solution for 3 beeps from my googling:

  Dell Inspiron 15R (N5010) Beep Codes

  of Beeps Description Possible Cause(s)

  1 BIOS ROM checksum in progress or failure System board failure, covers BIOS corruption or ROM errors.
  2 No Memory (RAM) detected Memory or Memory slot failure
  3

  chipset Error (North and South bridge error, DMA/IMR/Timer error)
  Time-Of-Day Clock test failure
  Gate A20 failure
  Super I/O chip failure
  Keyboard controller test failure
  
  System board failure
  

  4 Memory read / write failure Memory failure
  5 Real Time Clock (RTC) power fail CMOS battery failure
  6 Video BIOS test failure Video subsystem failure
  7 CPU Cache test failure Processor failure or motherboard failure
  8 LCD LCD failure
  Most Common Fixes:

  1 Beep: Replace the motherboard / system board.
  2 Beeps: Reseat the memory or replace the memory.
  3 Beeps: Replace the motherboard / system board.
  4 Beeps: Reseat the memory or replace the memory.
  5 Beeps: Replace the CMOS battery.
  6 Beeps: Reseat or replace the video card or replace the motherboard / system board.
  7 Beeps: Reseat or replace the CPU or replace the motherboard.
  8 Beeps: Reseat the LCD cable or replace the LCD screen.
  

  • 

    airzone on 19/01/2017 - 13:23

    +2

    3 Beeps: Replace the motherboard / system board.

    It's probably going to cost the better part of a new laptop's price to fix. If you're broke, you might be better off getting a dirt cheap new laptop for a year, and when you have more dosh, upgrade it.

    • 

      tonyjzx on 19/01/2017 - 15:58

      Yep Forget it. This laptop is scrap being a 1st gen.

      Problem is even the cheaper Asian type PC stores will charge a fair bit to fix. If I get out paying $100 to $150 I'm lucky.

• 

  vinni9284 on 19/01/2017 - 13:12

  +3

  Hi there, the CMOS battery only holds BIOS information hence if that was the only problem then it will still boot up and will prompt you to update the BIOS info date.. etc via the F2 menu.

  You can try to remove each RAM stick and try to boot up (if you have 2). Even try to swap DIMM slots. There should be a small door/compartment to open however try this with your battery removed (no power what so ever) connected to it. Then reconnect it each change and power.

  Another possible way is the remove the battery, no power and turn the ON button for 10 seconds or more. That can usually reset the system but looking at forums, that this is a current issue for this model.

  http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/…

  If that fails then in my view it is not worth even spending money diagnosing the problem as you can buy laptops off Gumtree that are faster and newer for around $200. Then sell your laptop as faulty for $50 hence totaling out of pocket $150.

  Of course you have to know what you are looking for due to scammers etc

  Good luck.

  Cheers