I've taken it to Best Buy, and they insist I need a new laptop for at least $1,000.00 to get a good one; even if that's true, I can't afford that right now. My son has a high school friend who's a computer genuis and has helped us many times - he says it needs a new graphics card. A couple of days ago, it started showing stripes, either horizontally or diagonally, and the screen "shakes" - don't know how else to describe it; it blurs, and we get blotches or the stripes and can't read the machine. Is this familiar to anyone? I hate walking into a tech center with what appears to be a sign that says "Hi, I'm a big dope -- screw me all you'd like!" Problem being, I AM a dope when it comes to this sort of thing...I appreciate any help (IBM Thinkpad with Windows XP; 80 GB hard drive, 512MB RAM -- if this helps at all.....
2006-07-25 10:35:04 · 8 answers · asked by Honeybee 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Looking at the specifications - the computer is maybe 3 years old.
If this is a laptop - bad news: Most laptops don't have replaceable graphic cards. However, it might not be the graphics card. It might be the LCD screen connector, or a part of the screen itself. A good work around to find out if it is the graphics card or the LCD Screen is to plug your monitor into an external monitor. Almost all laptops give the capability to do so. If the image shows up properly on your external screen, it might be a component of the LCD Screen. If the external monitor gives the same results - probably the motherboard in the laptop.
IBM Thinkpads are excellent laptops. With that, call Lenvo (the company that bought the computer segment of IBM) and have them take a look at it. They will tell you what the problem is and how much it will cost to repair.
Best buy told you to buy a new laptop because: They can't fix the problem, and since best buy can't fix it, you need a new laptop - and you need to buy it from them (so they get your money).
2006-07-25 10:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jonathan L 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Is your laptop under any sort of warranty yet? You said you took it to Best Buy. Have you spoken with the Geek Squad (their tech repair center in most Best Buys)? You don´t say if they examined the machine and told you what´s wrong with it.
You should contact the laptop maker´s Support hotline. Just check it on the Web or call their toll-free phone number (or go to http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?doctypeind=7&template=%2Fproductselection%2Flandingpages%2FtroubleshootingLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=ibm).
The problem you describe may or may not be related to a graphics card, but I don´t know if your laptop model has one. Most laptops have integrated graphics and only the high-end models, such as my HP dv8000z with dual hard drives, CD & DVD writer, 1 GB of RAM and its own graphics card at 128MB, has one.
You may hate to walk into a tech center with that appearance you described so ruefully...but someone´s got to do it. If you feel like a computer dope, stop being one and get computer literate...at least a little bit.
Do you feel like a dope when it comes to personal banking, or buying a second-hand car? You shouldn´t if you were proactive and did something about it, within your reach. If all else fails, go to your public library.
2006-07-25 17:47:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First place I would go would be IBM's website to start troubleshooting the problem, maybe even call them if you can't find the answer. If anyone would know it will be them, and they may be the only place to get a replacement part. Forget Best Buy for any computer issues. I like to stand there in the aisles and listen to their "techs" tell lies and use words that don't even exist. It is quite funny, unless you are the one being duped.
2006-07-25 17:40:31 · answer #3 · answered by EG345 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the genius might be right, any viewing issues are often caused by the video card. But before you come up to that conclusion, do you see stripes or all the weird effects you get when you open your computer, right before you see the Windows XP loading. Because, if you see something there, it might actuallt be your screen and not your video card. Another way to test this, when you press power on your computer, press F12 continuously, this will eventually call up the setup. Again, if you see something there, its your screen and not your video card.
2006-07-25 17:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by ironman_ultimate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's either your graphics card or your screen. I'd say it's most likely the graphics card though, you son's friend is probably right.
2006-07-25 17:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by uberforgetful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be the tft inverter or the graphics, but if it's an integrated graphics chipset then ou may need a new motherboard
2006-07-25 17:39:17 · answer #6 · answered by BronzedPete 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, how old is the puter? Is it still under warranty?
Also, where did you buy the puter?
Get your paperwork and then go to see the people you bought it from?
2006-07-25 17:40:42 · answer #7 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would agree, it seems to be a problem with your video card.
2006-07-25 17:41:45 · answer #8 · answered by AlexTLC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋