IBM ThinkPad R32 2658 LCD
Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Another IBM ThinkPad R32 came in, type 2658, in need of an LCD.

This one jumped off of a kitchen table!

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:48 PM, ,


Gateway Service = Questionable?

About once per month we get in a Gateway laptop that has recently been through Gateway service and returned with the problem remaining. This is frustrating to customers and many opt to have them repaired here rather than have them serviced under warrantee by Gateway.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:46 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T22 26474EU: Shutting Down

This IBM ThinkPad T22 26474EU came in because it was shutting down every 5 minutes.

This appears to many as a heat issue although shutting down may be caused by several different issues. In this case, the unit had a bad system board.

Boards are in stock and are $99.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:43 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T21 Repair

An IBM ThinkPad T21 came in for repair. It was getting no display. This can be caused by a bad backlight, a bad system board, a bad LCD inverter or a bad cable.

This one had a bad cable. Replacement cables are in stock and are $35. =)

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:28 AM, ,


Compaq Presario 700 - ANOTHER

Yes, yet one more. This one has a broken DC jack along with a LOT of spyware.

It has been repaired..

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:17 AM, ,


Another Compaq Presario 700 Laptop for Repair..

Yes, another Presario 700 laptop has come in for repair. Compaq didn't do a great job on this model. This one needs an LCD.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:15 AM, ,


Dell Inspiron 2200

This Dell Inspiron 2200 came in last night from an out of town customer here on biz. XP would just say aegise5.dll is missing. The Dell preinstalled wireless software was not working correctly.

It is now. =)

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:12 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad 770X 9549-71U
Thursday, June 23, 2005

This old IBM ThinkPad 770X just came in. It has a bad LCD inverter. We're currently locating the part. The type# is 9549-71U.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:43 AM, ,


Google Payments Corporation

Very little news here- lots of speculation going on though...

Google's CEO states that Google Payments Corporation is not going to compete directly with Paypal, but who knows. Google (so far) has been a great (and smart) company.

eBay shares fell almost 3% upon the news while Google shares rose almost 3%.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:35 AM, ,


40 Million Credit Cards Stolen from CardSystems.com

This is why some companies today suck.

They do not acknowledge that they were broken into or what they have done to fix the problem. They will not return calls for comment.

This reminds me of the paypal crash of October 2004. Paypal along w/ my account rep REFUSED to state that their site was down. Paypal.com was totally useless for almost 4 days. They kept saying that there were "intermittent problems." This was BS!

At the time, a big chuck of our business was done on eBay. We needed to sell around 30 laptops that weekend. NOBODY could pay for them. It was BAD. We had no $ coming in but needed to let go of a LOT of inventory. So, they basically almost put us right out of business which would have cost multiple people their job who are supporting families. When Paypal said the problems were intermittent it was like being slapped right in the face. We no longer depend on them. Google will be processing payments soon. We'll blog that next.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:10 AM, ,


Another Presario 700 Notebook for Repair

Well another Compaq Presario 700 notebook came in for repair this week. This one needed new LCD plastics and a new motherboard.

These almost always need new plastics. They were in stock but we have rebuilt 3 Presario 700s this week.

Worth noting: The Compaq Presario 700 = Compaq Evo N1115. Yes, they're the same notebook. No idea why they do that...

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:56 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T23 2647-9KU

This returning customer brought in his laptop with a bad hard drive.

His IBM ThinkPad T23 is a 2647-9KU. This one came with a 48GB hard drive, but unfortunately it died.

This guy bought his on eBay and unfortunately it was NOT a good deal. It arrived with multiple problems and has needed plastics, an AC adapter, a new LCD and a hard drive.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:50 AM, ,


Compaq Presario 700- misdiagnosed by local store

A Compaq Presario 700 laptop came in a couple of days ago. The owner was a little nervous. I assured her that all diagnostics are free and we took in the laptop.

The unit had a bad LCD which we replaced for $149. We also performed some spyware removal and kept the labor around 1.25hrs.

After she picked her laptop up she informed us that she had been to another local "repair shop" that had told her that her motherboard was bad and to throw the laptop away. Now I fully understood why she was nervous. Not only did they tell her that her laptop was junk, they had also charged her to "look at it." NO STORE should be charging for BAD information. They did not even offer her a solution.

BTW, this repair shop has about 8 locations. We get their customers here at least once per week. They should really not attempt laptop repairs because they stink at it. =)

She is going to the other store this week to demand a refund. I would, too.

Len (Owner)
Absolute Computers

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:15 AM, ,


Gateway Laptop Repair: 600YGR

This Gateway 600YGR laptop came in for repair yesterday... Someone received it for free. The original owner told them if they could fix it, it was a decent laptop. The unit has a P4 1.8Ghz processor and 512MB ram.

We started testing the laptop and everything checked out ok but nothing was present on the hard drive. A fresh install of the customer's OS is all that was needed to revive this laptop.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:04 AM, ,


DELL Inspiron 5100 Notebook
Wednesday, June 22, 2005

A Dell Inspiron 5100 notebook came in last week for service. This one had no display on the LCD. Our trained laptop technicians quickly and accurately diagnosed the unit with having a bad LCD cable. We obtained one in a few days for $49. This notebook is ready to go back out the door.


posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 10:27 AM, ,


Compaq 1500 P4 Laptop
Tuesday, June 21, 2005

This P4 Compaq Presario 1500 Laptop came in today with a bad system board.

Replacement boards are around $299 and the user will likely opt for a ThinkPad T30 laptop which is available here.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 2:54 PM, ,


Problems with Dell & Inspiron 8200 Laptop

A Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop came in for repair yesterday. This one has a bad motherboard.

The customer called Dell directly and they were quoted $299 for a replacement board. They were not certain if this was a good price or not, so they brought the unit in here. We told them it was a good deal. (You may be able to find a couple used boards kicking around on eBay for around $270-ish but the board from Dell comes w/ a 90day wrnty.)

Well, they tried to order the part but now Dell wanted $649. They said that was way overpriced, so Dell then decided the price was $599. They said that was still too high and that they just wanted the product at the price they were quoted the night before. The price went down to $549, then $519, then $499 and then finally $479.

Our customer was even yelled at by the Dell rep who told them they would never have their laptop running again for under $500 unless they purchased the motherboard immediately from Dell.

YIKES!!!

Anyways, we found a board for them at the $299 they were quoted.

Guess which company they are never buying from again.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:00 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T40 Laptop 2378D1U
Monday, June 20, 2005

Next repair is an IBM ThinkPad T40 2373D1U laptop that needs a new system board.

IBM has been renaming their FRU part numbers like crazy lately. For example, the system board for this laptop was 26P8485, then 91P7707, then 93P3496 and is now 27R1941.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:09 PM, ,


HP N5000 Notebook Repair

This HP N5000 Notebook came in for repair with no boot. It had a bad hard drive.

Replacement 30GB hard drives are in stock @ $75. We replaced the bad hard drive, loaded the customer's OS and set up all of the current updates.

Another repair complete. The notebook is now happy again.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:05 PM, ,


HP ZE4145 Notebook Repair

This HP ZE4145 Notebook came in for repair with a cracked LCD.

This particular HP ZE4145 uses a LP150X2 LCD which we obtained in 48hrs @ $299.

Another happy notebook repaired.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 10:06 AM, ,


End users: Protect your PC

Microsoft has released a page for end users (currently) called Protect your PC.

It covers basic steps to make sure your PC is secure.

You can see this on the Microsoft site here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:57 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad A31 - Cracked LCD

An IBM ThinkPad A31 just rolled in w/ a cracked LCD.

A ceiling tile fell on it which cracked the LCD and popped some keys off.

This was the 14.1" XGA model and the LCD was in stock. Replacement keys were available for the keyboard and the A31 is alive and well again.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:48 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad R40 2687B4U

This IBM ThinkPad R40 (2687B4U) came in with no display. It ended up needing a new LCD ribbon cable. The LCD latches also needed to be replaced.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:46 AM, ,


How to prevent Windows Messenger from running
Friday, June 17, 2005

Complete instructions on how to keep Windows Messenger from running are here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302089

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 2:26 PM, ,


HP NX9000 Laptop
Thursday, June 16, 2005

This HP NX9000 laptop passed through here this week.

The original hard drive was bad. Our customer upgraded to a 5400RPM 60GB hard drive, which was in stock.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 2:21 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad X22 2662-9BU

This IBM ThinkPad X22 (Type # 2662-9BU) came in with a bad LCD cable and a bad hard drive.

Fully repaired in under 48hrs. The cable was not in stock although we were able to accurately diagnose the system and overnight the part for the customer who wanted it fixed ASAP.

He called around and we offered the fastest response time in Raleigh. =)

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:51 PM, ,


Dell C600 SXGA Backlight Replacement

A Dell C600 w/ SXGA LCD came in the other day with a red screen.

After a backlight replacement, the screen looks like new again.

Replacing a backlight is a little tricky and the LCDs do not always function correctly after the backlight has been replaced. This one came out great though. Actually the last 15 we have done here have come out great. =)

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 6:05 AM, ,


HP N3410 Memory Upgrade
Wednesday, June 15, 2005

This notebook is likely coming in for a memory upgrade. The HP N3410 came with 64MB from the factory. This one will be bumped up to 256MB PC100 Memory.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:47 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad 2647-27U Laptop
Tuesday, June 14, 2005

This one is here for service with a cracked LCD.

The IBM ThinkPad 2647-27U laptop is a 13.3" LCD model. It is getting an upgrade to a 14.1" LCD.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:00 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad R40 Type 2897-84U

This IBM ThinkPad R40 (2897-84U) laptop came in for repair a few days ago with no display.

The laptop needs a new LCD cable. IBM was out of the part so we got it in via overnight from another vendor of ours. IBM has been slacking in the parts department lately. Some say it is due to Lenovo. Hopefully that gets straightened out quick.

Another succesful repair. This customer was actually referred here from another computer store. Many computer stores do not work on laptops, which is where we come in. R40 laptops in particular can be difficult to diagnose if you do not have the parts / time / experience. No display can be caused by a bad system board, a bad LCD, a bad LCD inverter, a bad video cable, memory issues, etc.







posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 11:39 AM, ,


Compaq Presario 2500 Notebook

This Compaq Presario 2500 Notebook has just come in for service. It is in need of a new motherboard. We have given the customer pricing on new and used boards. This particular motherboard is not in stock but can be obtained in under 1 week.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 10:51 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T20 Laptop (2647-44U) Repair, 0175 CRC1 Error

This T20 laptop just came in for repair- it has a CRC1 error. At boot, the laptop will say Error 0175. This one needs a new system board. We stock the boards and they're currently $99.

Due to a high volume of repairs coming in this week it may be a 2 - 3 day turn around. We will be expanding soon to keep our turn around time low.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:33 AM, ,


ThinkPad i-series 2611-412 laptop repair

This one came in with a broken DC Jack.

We were able to replace the jack. Resoldering it takes around 1.5hrs.

Another happy laptop.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 9:29 AM, ,


ThinkPad T22 2647-4EU Laptop Repair
Friday, June 10, 2005

This ThinkPad T22 2647-4EU laptop just came in for repair and needed a new system board. The part is in stock and goes for $99.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:55 PM, ,


Tabbed Browsing with IE6
Wednesday, June 08, 2005

You can now use tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer 6- but you need to install MSN toolbar:
http://toolbar.msn.com/

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 5:12 PM, ,


Wired News covers "BBS: The Documentary"

Here's the article which also explains a little about the BBS world:
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,67776,00.html

BBS: The Documentary is a 3 DVD set. A little high at $50 though. You can buy it here:
http://www.bbsdocumentary.com/

The BBS days were great. I ran one called Salt City Online back in 1993. It grew to become one of the largest boards in the Syracuse, NY area. It had 400 users and was the VirtualNet AC. VirtualNet was a network people could send email across. The AC meant Area Coordinator. Salt City was the Northeastern hub. Messages going to the northeastern US and southeastern Canada were routed the the BBS. It usually took around 2 - 10 days to get an email to someone, depending on how far away they were. VirtualNet was a lot like FidoNet... Eventually Salt City grew to carry (free) Internet Email. It provided Internet Email before AOL did. I will have to get some screenshots up someday. Back to work..

Len (Owner)
Absolute Computers

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:50 PM, ,


Replace Backlight on ThinkPad T21

This IBM ThinkPad T21 (2647-4BU) just came in with a bad backlight.

Replacement backlights are $29 and labor is $90 if and when we can replace the light.

In this case, the install went perfect and our customer is thrilled with his "like new" LCD.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:36 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad Password Recovery

A password locked ThinkPad T23 2647-4MU came in for password recovery.

This one was in and out in under 48hrs. A password recovery on most models runs $95. Password recovery is one of the exclusive services we offer.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:32 AM, ,


Steve Jobs confirms Apple switching to Intel CPUs
Monday, June 06, 2005

Today at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference Steve Jobs confirmed that Apple will be switching to Intel CPUs... PCs, I mean, Apples, should be using Intel CPUs mid 2006, Jobs estimates.

Apple has some very strong followers- some people are downright infactuated with Apple... I wonder ow they will take the news... First Apple's OS becomes based off of Unix, now the hardware switches to Intel... Hmmm....

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 3:34 PM, ,


Laptop Sale

Today we have been selling lots of laptops on eBay.. Cleaing out space- too much stuff was here. Here is a list of what we sold so far today alone:

Sony Vaio PCG-GRV80 2.6Ghz w/ DVDRW
Dell 600M PM 1.6 w/ SXGA+,
Dell 5150 P4 2.8Ghz w/ 15" LCD
(6) Dell C600, P3 850Mhz, DVD, WiFi $400 delivered..
IBM ThinkPad T22 P3 900Mhz
IBM ThinkPad T23 P3 1.13Ghz
IBM ThinkPad T30 P4M 1.6Ghz

And the list goes on..

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 3:31 PM, ,


Apple to switch to Intel CPUs

News.com and WSJ are both reporting that Apple will be switching to Intel processors. The news is expected to come out today, June 6. Apple has yet to release this news.

Apple almost switched a few years back although moving software from one platform to the other was too difficult at the time.

It is rumored that this time Apple will use Transitive. Transitive says they can run the Apple OS on Intel's hardware without a performance cut. http://www.transitive.com/ If they can, it will be a first.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 7:57 AM, ,


Cary, NC Laptop Repair / Notebook Service
Friday, June 03, 2005

We are Raleigh and Cary's source for laptop repair and notebook service. 20+ repairs have come in this week alone. We try to cover most of the laptop repairs in this blog.

It has come to my attention that quite a few people are following this blog that are thinking of having their laptop repaired. I have to update our site some more but I would like to let everyone know that we now offer free estimates. That's right - 100% free. We always offer a solution and have great pricing- it is very rare that anyone does not get their laptop fixed here after bringing it in, so, now all of our estimates are free. =)

Our address and directions are below:

Absolute Computers
101 Woodwinds Industrial Ct.
Suite A
Cary, NC 27511
(919)468-3999

http://www.absoluteraleigh.com/directions.html

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:27 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T20 2647-4EU

This T20 (2647-4EU) just came in for repair.

A cat spilled water on it!

This one will be getting a new system board. The boards are in stock and are $99.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 12:24 PM, ,


eXeem Peer to Peer
Thursday, June 02, 2005

Here comes a new peer to peer software...

http://www.exeem.com/

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 11:03 AM, ,


eBay.com buys Shopping.com

Is eBay expanding or does eBay think that eBay buyers are looking elsewhere for deals and trusted sellers?

The move will cost eBay $620mil.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 10:49 AM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T30 2366-61U

This T30 (2366-61U) just came in for repair. None of the mouse keys work. It is not keyboard related nor is it a software problem. It is getting a new system board.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 10:25 AM, ,


DELL Inspiron 4100 Notebook
Wednesday, June 01, 2005

This DELL Inspiron 4100 notebook just came in for service and needs a new motherboard. The board may need to be ordered and goes for around $200...

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:33 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T40p 2373-G1U SXGA+ LCD Screen

This IBM ThinkPad laptop just came in and needs an LCD. We are currently searching for one but located one for around $400. These LCDs are still a little pricey although this T40p LCD is definately worth replacing.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:31 PM, ,


IBM ThinkPad T20 26474AU

This unit came in today with no boot.

It turns out it needs a new system board. The boards are in stock. We sell them here for $99. This one will be wrapped up tomorrow.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:29 PM, ,


June 1, 2005

We were closed for a long Memorial Day weekend and are back open now.

Today we sold a few Dell C610 laptops and took in some misc repairs.

posted by AbsoluteRaleigh @ 1:26 PM, ,