I'm a dope and dropped my laptop, now when I hit the power button the screen flashes white for a split second and then turns off. What can I do?

 

Warranty claim, if not covered, pay for the fix.

 

Yep, take it in. It could be a variety of things (though it sounds like you possibly knocked something loose. Had this happen when a ram stick got knocked loose on my pc).

Anyway, if you have to ask here, you're probably not going to want to try to fix it yourself.

 

Thanks guys. I figured I would have to take it in, but I was hoping that it would be an easy fix.

Looks like I'll have to spend all my money again. Blah.

 

Don't take it in. Those repair shops charge an absoulute fortune, often for an easy fix. You should just take it apart first, look for any damaged, or loose parts. (Which is all the people at the computer shop are going to do). If they don't see anything they will probably just charge you for a screen replacement + service fees. You could almost buy a new laptop with what they charge.

The backlight on my laptop often goes out, at first I had to restart it. But now I realise that all I have to do is press hard on the part where the wire goes to the screen and it will come back.

There really is no point in shelling out 100-150 when you don' have to.

 

The point is, if it IS under warranty, opening it up yourself will void that bar opening the RAM and HDD bays.

Return to the dealer you bought it from and see what needs to be done.

 

I ordered the laptop from Dell about two or three years ago, so I don't think it is still under warranty.

My dad goes to a shop which he seems to think is reliable and I trust his judgement. And I recently went there to have a fan put in, since it didn't have a proper one and kept over heating. I also got a new battery, which didn't do me much good since it acts the same way the last battery I bought did, the computer refuses to charge it since I didn't buy it through Dell.

I'd have no idea what to do if I opened it up. None at all. I'd probably end up damaging it beyond repair.

 

It's not that complicated though, really. Just keep All the screws safe, remember where each of them goes. Keep it on a dry surface. Remove any static from your body before you touch any parts(some of them can be damaged by static).

 

No can do, I've been forbidden. I have a bad track record with trying to fix things.

 

Yeah, i'd avoid playing around with the insides of a computer you don't want to break even further than you already have.

Unless you have experience of course, which you don't.

 

Ignore Skykes and send it to me. I can fix any laptop.

 

By fix, he means sell to a pawn shop.