Urgent Emergency!

Oops. My laptop monitor has died, showing only a black screen but the machine seems to be 'working', making noise, lights flashing on buttons. This is an HP, maybe 8 yrs old. All told OK, but without screen, useless. Is this possible: Simple change monitors to a new thin panel and use the laptop brain and keyboard? Failing that can i swap the hard drive, where all my programs and data are housed, and put the hard drive into a new machine. Must get the programs and data, somehow. Prefer to not spend tons of $$ but if must, can do. What is best option in my case? Will take to shop (any recommendos?) and ask but would be good if i had some prior knowledge, like from you good folks. thanks./ and yes, it is URGENT.

(I am based in Other)

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Posted by white kiwi trash (621 days ago)

Take it to the Wanchai Computer Mall. There are shops that specialize in computer repair (second floor, when you get off the escalator, right in front of you).

Tell them your problem and they will give you professional advice. They will give you an up-front quotation for any repairs or recovery.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Dan_hk (619 days ago)

if machine seems to work, you may try to connect an external monitor and see if your laptop is still working. If it works, then you may need to replace the LCD panel. If problem still persist, problem maybe on the graphics card or the motherboard.

As your laptop was about 8 years old, I suggest that you connect an external monitor if it still works and no need to have it repaired as repair cost maybe quite expensive. Buying a new or 2nd hand laptop would be a better option than having it repaired.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by jobin (618 days ago)

Right. I did speak to someone in WanChai repair shop. I left with the impression that the best option, for him, was me to pay him HK$ 1400 and he would fix it. Similar repairs in USA cost US$ 100 which suggests that i am paying double that. Unhappy. Also, and importantly, he said, in response to my inquiry, that NO, cannot transfer programs, like MS Office, etc to new machine. I thought just to move the hard drive to new machine. In fact the problem fix may not be so diffiuclt or subtle, but i am only blessed with exceedingly small 'geek' genes so am highly dependent on the big 'geeks'. A situation i do not like. Now i go to local cafe to do email etc. Frankly enjoying life without damn screen at home. Horns of the dilemna.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by GreenCatalonia (618 days ago)

Try Ming Wong @ "Kinger Digital" at 298 Computer Zone 9469-0282

You HAVE to phone him as he is NOT always to be found at his shop!

I think you were being taken for a sucker in Wanchai !

If the "Viagra" [Hard] Disk can be removed, it can be run externally to recover all your files that you want to any new computer (Bets are OFF if you buy an Apple).

A USB container to stick your ancient ATA HD in costs about $50 - just be sure you get one for ATA & NOT SATA! [as your HD will assuredly be ATA only at that age].

Personally, I'd think that the invertor to provide the back lighting is defunct if you are able to see the output on an external monitor - be it LCD or Old CRT monitor...


Take it to Ming Wong - he has workshop for fixing somewhere around Kwun Tong.

And if he can't handle it - there's several OTHER "I'll fix it for you" shops in Computer 298 [Near CC Wu Building].

Secondhand Laptops are - generally - so cheap on AX, and if you get a more recent one, you should get a decent battery AND a much larger & faster "Viagra" Disk too for you to transfer your "old" data across to - and still have masses of space to spare.

The point is, an expensive repair of such an ancient laptop is not co$t effective, so anything over a few hundred dollars is a waste of money that ought to be spent on "upgrading" to something more recent.

And putting a well-worn HD into a newer computer is a waste of effort and possibly damaging if you don't know WHAT you are doing.

It's not beyond even a neophyte to copy across files from an external USB HD to a newer computer - my family & I frequently do it.

Go to it (Wo)Man!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Peeweee (616 days ago)

8 years old is ancient. Things have changed exponentially in that time. Don't fix it, bin it. Data retrieval should be a snap, as mentioned above.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by GreenCatalonia (616 days ago)

I have to admit that sometimes - people get attached to what they are used to - and if it is a simple fix, or even a "bodge-up" to extend its "life' for another few months - then it is worthwhile if the "bodge" doesn't cost too much.

I'm not a "Dedicated Follower of Fashion", my desktop is about 8 years old - & still does what I want it to do.

I wish my Operating system installation would even last half that time before it needs a total re-install !

Finally, unless the OP is constrained by lack of "loot", then a more modern computer should be considered.... and the data files are a snap to transfer to a new(er) computer.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by jobin (616 days ago)

All fixed. Local shop looked at it, saw faint shadows on 'black' screen (which guy in Wan Chai did not see, or chose not to show me) so local shopowner said screen lamp is shot. Best to use separate monitor and then he proceeded to show me how easy that was to accomplish. I could see immediately my computer was displaying on the monitor. Solution: buy at that time a 2nd hand, larger LCD monitor for HK$ 500. Very happy for another 8 yrs!! Thanks to all for encouragement and advice.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by GreenCatalonia (615 days ago)

Well, DIDN'T I say that it was most probably a "Lamp Problem" ??? - more than likely it was just the inverter circuit that's "shot"!!

If you could get hold of a replacement mini-circuit board for it - you wouldn't have to buy a desk cluttering LCD screen. <Grin>.

Probably a couple of Dollar capacitor(s) have dried out and failing to function!

(I am based in Hong Kong)