OFF TOPIC Computer repair
Melissa PollaK
$350 to fix a 4-year-old Dell laptop with Vista operating system. Or, just buy a new one?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Melissa
Tom Wolper
My first response is to buy a new one. I don't know how long
manufacturers estimate a user will own a machine and it's possible
that 4 years could be the length of time. In that case other
components may also be reaching the end of their useful lives and
having already sunk the money into one repair you would talk yourself
into continuing to repair just to justify your first decision.
My 2 reservations: 1. Have you backed up your hard drive? If you need
to use data, or you have drafts of your writing, that are on your hard
drive and you can't get at them anyplace else, then fixing your old
computer might be worthwhile than buying a new one and trying to
recreate what you lost on the old one. 2. The $350 isn't a real number
and is serving as a high margin or even as a deterrent to getting it
fixed. If a Best Buy or big box chain quoted you the $350 it might be
worth your time to find an independent repair store for a quote.
Melissa PollaK
paragraph.
I backed up the hard drive (to an external hard drive) before I took it in.
I was told that the reason streaming video won't play properly on the
machine and that video files won't download (the reasons I took it in for
repair) is because the hard drive is failing.
And, I took it to a repair place recommended by a guy I've known for awhile
who works at the NSF Help Desk.
Does that change your advice?
For a quote under $200, I would probably have it repaired.
Actually, I had been expecting to replace it next year when it would be 5
years old. If I do have it repaired, then I will need to keep it another
2-3 years.
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Jon Delfin
<takingup...@gmail.com> wrote:
[snip]
> Actually, I had been expecting to replace it next year when it would be 5
> years old. If I do have it repaired, then I will need to keep it another
> 2-3 years.
2-3 more years of Vista? That would be another factor for me.
jd, about to replace a 5+-year-old CPU
Bob in Jersey
Jon Delfin, to Melissa PollaK:
>
> [snip]
>
> > Actually, I had been expecting to replace it next year when it would be 5
> > years old. If I do have it repaired, then I will need to keep it another
> > 2-3 years.
>
> 2-3 more years of Vista? That would be another factor for me.
>
> jd, about to replace a 5+-year-old CPU
Mainstream support (full warranty service) for many Vista systems goes
away in April. Windows 7's mainstream goes till at least 2015.
--
BOB
Karen Owen
computer news/advice program on radio,
would probably recommend getting a new computer
in your situation (3 or more years old, uses Vista and
has a significant repair bill). They like Windows 7
and say that every other Microsoft operating system
in the last 10 years has been problematic, so they
are recommending replacing computers now
while Windows 7 is still the standard.
www.soundbytes.org is their web site.
soundbytes.org/DaveConfig.php under their
FAQ is their recommendations for configuring a
new PC system.
Steve Timko
Melissa PollaK
much trouble with it. But there is one problem with it, which I was just
discussing on the phone with Keith at the repair place. I told him that
Vista won't work with audio editing software to record streaming audio.
He's checking into that.
Anyway, I just got off the phone with Keith. I can't say I'm really
surprised, but he wants to work on lowering the repair price and told me
he'd get back to me on Monday.
What I think is particularly interesting about Windows 7 is that both my
former employer (a federal agency) and my current "employer" in the private
sector are still using XP. Apparently, there are security issues with
Windows 7 that still haven't been solved.
That said, I've been doing some research for the past couple of hours, and
unless Keith really, really, really wants my business, I guess I'll be
getting a new computer. I just wish I didn't have to do it at this time of
the year. There's no way I want to venture into Best Buy, etc.
BTW I'm currently using my netbook, one of the best purchases I've made,
even though they're now going for a lot less than what I paid for this one.
Once again, I greatly appreciate all of the input.
-----Original Message-----
From: tvor...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvor...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of Jon Delfin
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 3:55 PM
To: tvor...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [TV orNotTV] OFF TOPIC Computer repair
--
David Risner
probably getting the drive for $70-$80 (that's for a 500GB 5400RPM
drive, add $10-$20 for a 7200 RPM drive). Opening up a laptop and
swapping out the hard drive should take an experienced person about 15
minutes. Are they going to reinstall all of your software? That's
really the only reason I can think of for the cost unless they're
replacing more than the hard drive, and even that seems high. I would
think $250 at most for it all. For $350, they should be throwing in a
copy of Windows 7 along with everything else. Of course, the hard
drive controller could be failing as well which means a full
motherboard replacement in which case the $350 is cheap.
That all said, it really does sound like it is time for a new computer
if you can afford it. Depending upon the price you are looking at, get
as much RAM as you can and get the fastest hard drive you can, solid
state if you can afford it. If you're getting more than 4GB of memory,
make sure you're getting a 64-bit version of Windows 7 (32-bit Windows
can't use more than about 3.5GB of memory). Any modern piece of
software will work with 64-bit Windows. I can't emphasize enough that
the speed of the hard drive and the memory size is more important for
day-to-day performance than slightly better processors.
--
David Risner
Software Engineer
MERLOT, California State University
Paul Murray
new one. (My only disagreement is that Vista has worked fine for me
ever once SP1 was released, so I don't see an OS upgrade as being a
compelling reason.)
I also agree with David that $350 seems high (unless the hd controller
went, in which case it becomes a no-brainer), and possibly includes
the time to reinstall programs, etc. Hard drives have spiked in price
since the floods in Thailand took out 25% of the world's hard drive
manufacturing ... but still ...
PGage
Steve Timko
I also agree with David that $350 seems high (unless the hd controller
went, in which case it becomes a no-brainer), and possibly includes
the time to reinstall programs, etc. Hard drives have spiked in price
since the floods in Thailand took out 25% of the world's hard drive
manufacturing ... but still ...
Melissa PollaK
Once again, I’m really appreciative of the advice. P Gage, Gmail sent your response to junk mail (what’s up with that?), but I was able to read it first.
The hard drive was already replaced once, not long after I got it when it was still under warranty. (It crashed during the installation of Service Pack 2.) I watched the NSF Help Desk guy do it. It did take him about 15 minutes, and the keyboard did not have to be removed.
Keith, the repair guy, said something about probably being able to image it and then it wouldn’t have to have all the programs reloaded? (Think I got that right.) It also needs cleaning. That came as no surprise given the amount of dust that always seems to accumulate.
Even though I’m dreading shopping for a new computer at this time of the year, and then figuring out what I’m going to do about setting it up, that’s what I will probably be doing – unless the repair price is lowered to around 200 bucks. That’s what seems reasonable to me.
David R, I appreciate all the advice about size. I’m aware that size does matter.
From: tvor...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvor...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Timko
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 9:08 PM
To: tvor...@googlegroups.com
--
Melissa PollaK
Well, they’re doing the repairs for $200. Hope I made the right decision.
From: Melissa PollaK [mailto:takingup...@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 3:24 PM
To: 'tvor...@googlegroups.com'
Subject: OFF TOPIC Computer repair
$350 to fix a 4-year-old Dell laptop with Vista operating system. Or, just buy a new one?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Melissa
David Risner
Sounds like there will be some neat stuff coming out next year with
the new generation of Ultrabooks (very thin & light laptops similar to
the MacBook Air) coming out, and the cost of solid state drives coming
down. It is probably worth your while keeping this one running for
another year with the $200 repair.
--
David Risner
Software Engineer
MERLOT, California State University
Melissa PollaK
I'm really intrigued by the Beats audio featured on certain HP machines.
Just this morning I was thinking that their price will probably drop next
year. (And, maybe they'll come in real colors, e.g., what is dark "umber"?)
Also, lighter (in weight) has been a big priority since the time I dragged
the Dell to Las Vegas and Memphis, experiences which resulted in the
purchase of the netbook as soon as they went on the market.
BTW I do now own a tablet. I bought one of those fire-sale HP Touchpads,
and I think it's nifty although I've barely had any time to play with it.
-----Original Message-----
From: tvor...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tvor...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of David Risner
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:44 PM
To: tvor...@googlegroups.com
Mark Smith
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv/topics
- NBC generous with online eps [3 Updates]
- 'Bloopers' to return [4 Updates]
- 'Hung' out to dry, too Bored to Death to Make it in America [1 Update]
- HBO Cleans Out Half-Hours (But Keeps 'Enlightened') [1 Update]
- OFF TOPIC Computer repair [3 Updates]
- So long, Michele O'Callaghan [5 Updates]
- More Palin on TLC? [1 Update]
Bob in Jersey <bob.in...@juno.com> Dec 20 12:40PM -0800
It doesn't matter which series, they'll all be available, all episodes
from this season (and at least in a few cases, back into last), till
after the New Year.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-offers-full-season-holiday-275407
--
BOB
donz5 <do...@aol.com> Dec 20 01:02PM -0800
I first read the subject line as "NBC generous with online
encapsulated postscript.." Which was confusing at best.
Bob in Jersey <bob.in...@juno.com> Dec 20 02:09PM -0800
Donz5, to moi:
> I first read the subject line as "NBC generous with online
> encapsulated postscript.." Which was confusing at best.
Candy is dandy, but Adobe is quicker.
--
BOB
Bob in Jersey <bob.in...@juno.com> Dec 20 12:24PM -0800
And that's its whole title, not "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes,"
tho dick clark productions is still involved. WGN, WPIX, and a bunch
of other Tribs (but not WPHL, for some reason) bought it.
Nellie A: http://goo.gl/yz4pp
--
BOB
"Kevin M." <drunkba...@gmail.com> Dec 20 01:47PM -0800
Yes, but will it feature clever animated drawings by Sergio Aragones?
If not, screw it.
--
Kevin M. (RPCV)
Mark Jeffries <spotl...@gmail.com> Dec 20 03:57PM -0600
Sergio's doing his "Drawn-Out Dramas" for CN's televersion of "MAD." They
pop up a couple of times per episode in black-and-white in as close to a
"Marginal Thinking Dept." as you can get and are always welcome.
Mark Jeffries
Saints Spotlight Editor
spotl...@gmail.com
"Kevin M." <drunkba...@gmail.com> Dec 20 02:05PM -0800
> Sergio's doing his "Drawn-Out Dramas" for CN's televersion of "MAD."
I haven't seen more than a few segments of MAD, but I enjoy it
infinitely more than the abysmal yawn-fest that was MADtv. At least,
it is more in keeping with the magazine, as opposed to mere bad sketch
comedy by people who make Jimmy Fallon look skilled.
--
Kevin M. (RPCV)
Ron Casalotti <roncas...@gmail.com> Dec 20 12:32PM -0800
All three comedies canceled by HBO. Additional series to come
(including 'Luck" whose pilot I found very laborious to watch).
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/12/20/hbo-cancels-comedies-picks-up-enlightened/
Ron Casalotti
Wayne, NJ
Twitter: @roncasalotti
Blog: http://roncasalotti.wordpress.com
Mark Jeffries <spotl...@gmail.com> Dec 20 12:29PM -0800
The Mike White sitcom starring Laura Dern, which initially was panned
but followed Barnhart's Rule of Premium Channel Shows in getting
better as it went along, according to some critics, got renewed--gone
after three years are the male pimp sitcom "Hung" (despite Thomas
Jane's Golden Globe nomination) and the Zach Galfanakis/Ted Danson
show "Bored to Death," while "How to Make It in America" leaves after
two seasons:
http://www.deadline.com/2011/12/hbo-renews-enlightened-cancels-hung-bored-to-death-how-to-make-it-in-america/
"Enlightened" may be the only returning live-action half-hour on HBO
next year (unless Larry David decides to do another season of "Curb
Your Enthusiasm")--among the new shows are Ricky Gervais' midgetcom
"Life's Too Short," which has already aired on BBC2 in the UK.
"Melissa PollaK" <takingup...@gmail.com> Dec 20 11:50AM -0500
Well, they're doing the repairs for $200. Hope I made the right decision.
From: Melissa PollaK [mailto:takingup...@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 3:24 PM
To: 'tvor...@googlegroups.com'
Subject: OFF TOPIC Computer repair
$350 to fix a 4-year-old Dell laptop with Vista operating system. Or, just
buy a new one?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Melissa
David Risner <da...@risner.org> Dec 20 09:43AM -0800
For $200, I think you should be good.
Sounds like there will be some neat stuff coming out next year with
the new generation of Ultrabooks (very thin & light laptops similar to
the MacBook Air) coming out, and the cost of solid state drives coming
down. It is probably worth your while keeping this one running for
another year with the $200 repair.
--
David Risner
Software Engineer
MERLOT, California State University
On Tue, Dec 20, 2011 at 8:50 AM, Melissa PollaK
"Melissa PollaK" <takingup...@gmail.com> Dec 20 01:44PM -0500
> To: 'tvor...@googlegroups.com'
> Subject: OFF TOPIC Computer repair
> $350 to fix a 4-year-old Dell laptop with Vista operating system. Or,
just
--
TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People!
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
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Joe Hass <hassg...@gmail.com> Dec 20 08:15AM -0600
Dave took the entire second segment to talk about her, and was very
touching. He did say she was part of the group at NBC.
I have a friend who is heading in to the hospital this morning for a
three-pack of ops after having a diagnosis of breast cancer earlier
this year. They caught it so early it was labeled "Stage 0" (and what
the fuck is that name? That name had to come from the same doofuses
who came up with "preboard" for airplanes), but they're going to go
in, do some cleaning out, give her about six weeks of radiation and do
a lube, oil and filter change. I've gotten a little more aware and
sensitive toward these things (this is on top of my wife's aunt who
literally went in to see the doctor for a cough and muscle ache and
came out with a Stage 4 diagnosis on her lungs). This kind of hit a
little closer than I'd have liked.
I've said before, and will say again: fuck cancer.
Bob in Jersey <bob.in...@juno.com> Dec 20 07:12AM -0800
Bradford, to moi:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7XcPHe4bg0
I mixed up Real Time and RealSports... thanks Olby...
--
BOB
PGage <pga...@gmail.com> Dec 20 09:14AM -0800
> came out with a Stage 4 diagnosis on her lungs). This kind of hit a
> little closer than I'd have liked.
> I've said before, and will say again: fuck cancer.
Dave did a real nice job with this; given the little I knew about her
already, and what we learned from watching KO, Dave seemed to really honor
her not just with his words but with his tone. The video tribute was nice
in that it confirmed for me what I suspected (she was the woman who named
her dog asshole after Dave), but it did seem a little unfinished and rushed
- but then apparently most of the staff had been at the funeral earlier
that day. Dave also finished off with his own "fuck you" to cancer.
http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/video/?pid=qRM5rm2NZGk9rlXKGm2l2ljvZUpU9a9R&vs=Default&play=true
"K.M. Richards" <richa...@gmail.com> Dec 20 09:51AM -0800
Keith Olbermann also devoted the segment around :30 in last night's
Countdown (where he usually does the viral videos in the "Time Marches
On") to an obit.
donz5 <do...@aol.com> Dec 20 09:58AM -0800
I hear that. The love of my life began chemo today for Stage IIIC
uterine cancer.
Mortality sucks.
"K.M. Richards" <richa...@gmail.com> Dec 20 09:53AM -0800
Said party has now qualified for the California ballot, says the
political e-newsletter I received this morning.
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