Laptop Repair

[ro2124]

Have a laptop which has been playing up possibly because some small amount liquid may have dropped through the keys into innards, but not totally sure about that. Anyway the keyboard was playing up or letters running across the screen, but managed to get it working by using external USB keyboard, but then suddenly there is no power at all coming through to it, cant understand what is causing that.
I think the actual hard drive is ok, so guess I could take it to a repair place, but I am always reluctant because no doubt they snoop through private details which I don't like and could cause security issues.
So would it be possible if I take out the hard drive and just take the laptop, to have it tested and repaired just for the power problem?

[ladybirder]

If it's a Mac I can help you but not otherwise. So, is it a Mac?

[Jackdaw33]

Liquid spilt onto a keyboard is fatal. Been there &c.

[Buenchico]

It would theoretically be possible for a technician to repair (or, more likely, replace) the power supply unit without the hard drive being present but it complicates testing and I simply wouldn't bother.

A new keyboard will cost £10 to £15. A replacement PSU could cost at least £60. The labour charge is likely to be £50. (That's PC World's flat-rate charge for laptop repairs. An independent repairer would probably charge around the same because PSU repairs can be fiddly and time-consuming).

Given those costs, I'd buy a decent secondhand laptop instead. e.g.
http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/product-info/cheap-windows-7-laptop-hp-6930p-core-2-duo-2gb-ram-14-inch-display

I'd then remove the hard drive from the old laptop. (It's really easy. There are usually just a few screws). Then I'd read the label on it to see whether it's an IDE or SATA drive. (If it's a fairly modern laptop, it'll be SATA. If in doubt, Google the model number).

Next, for a few pounds, I'd buy either an IDE caddy
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/360591634628?lpid=122&;chn=ps&adgroupid=33676502101&rlsatarget=pla-270397376043&adtype=pla&;poi=&googleloc=9045888&device=c&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0
or a SATA one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/232141462447?lpid=122&;chn=ps&adgroupid=36084540643&rlsatarget=pla-272157487575&adtype=pla&;poi=&googleloc=9045888&device=c&campaignid=698615505&crdt=0
as appropriate.

It's dead easy to fit the old drive into the caddy. The old drive can then be seen as an external USB drive by the new laptop. Initially, all of your personal files will seem to have vanished but they will magically reappear once you 'take ownership' of the drive by following these simple instructions:
http://preyerplanning.com/take-ownership-of-entire-hard-drive-in-windows-7.pdf

You can then copy your files across to your new laptop and either securely wipe the old one or simply destroy it.

My advice isn't simply theory. It's exactly what I've done myself on several occasions when laptops have packed up.

[Buenchico]

^^^ It can actually be quite hard to locate internal PSUs for many laptops on eBay (and elsewhere). A search tends to find loads of AC power adapters (confusing referred to as 'PSU's) but the internal components can be as rare as hens' teeth!

[ro2124]

yeah tried the removing battery and draining bit, but it's As Dead As a Dodo the blue light indicating it has been plugged into Mains doesn't light up anymore. with all that hassle probably better to cut my losses and get new one at least will have latest Windows 10 then.. the 8.1 on this model just has been hassle all the way through with those stupid tiles never working. regarding the liquid spilling considering how easy it is to have accidents I am always surprised that they never make laptops with waterproof cover on keyboard. being cynical is probably done on purpose so we have to buy new computer fairly frequently. but expect there are waterproof models somewhere.. have to do some searching before buying a new one but no doubt they will be expensive

[Togo]

Use a guitar plectrum and "split" the keyboard from the top of the lappie. Usually by accessing the seam at the top of the main body. Carefully unplug the keyboard carriage and remove the rubber mat. Do not let the keyboard controls fall out as you turn it upside down without a photo or a good memory. Then clean the contacts on the pcb and the rubber mat( little graphite circular contacts). Reassemble. Clean with switch cleaner or good quality acetone with spectacle lens cloth. Works every time.

[Baldric]

Google

'spill proof laptop keyboard cover'

there's a few about