laptop help required- PLEASE!..

[Josh111]

I have mentioned before that I had a problem with my Toshiba laptop. When I switched on, only the power light turns on. There is no activity, the screen does not turn on, there is no sound, the fan does not work- put simply, nothing works apart from the power light.

I was told this could be a number of things, but probably either memory problem or motherboard. I am now told that it cant be the memory of cpu as they would not affect the working of the fan- only the motherboard will do this. Is this correct?

I am reluctant to take an out-of-warranty laptop to be checked by a computer shop to pay to have them confirm that I have a busted motherboard and then fork out another 490 euros for toshiba to fix it. (second question, is that an extortionate or generally accepted price for repairing/replacing motherboard)

All help MUCH APPRECIATED!!...

[MrBounty]

Could it be a dodgy battery?

Try removing the battery and just using the PSU - my brother had a similar problem with his laptop a while ago.
He could only use the laptop with the battery removed.

If the machine is kaput, i wouldnt even consider spending 490 Euros to get it fixed - you'd be much cheaper to get a brand new machine.....plus a new one would probably be a better one!

[Josh111]

Tried the battery thing, not that! But thanks anyway!!

[MrBounty]

Could it be a dodgy PSU??

If the battery has run out of power and cant get charged, then it's not going to do anything.

Had an exact incident last week - power light would come on, but nothing else.
Tried two different PSUs, still the same.
Third PSU and laptop worked like a charm.

[Josh111]

No, I've been told both PSU and battery are fine...

[MrBounty]

Who told you that??

[Josh111]

I took it to two computer shops, they said PSU fine :(

[MrBounty]

Well, like i said, i had the exact same problem with a laptop last week - power light on, but nothing happening.
Once a good, working PSU was used, everything worked fine.

If the problem is not with memory (which i cant see how it would be), is apparently not the battery or PSU, then without getting my hands on the machine to have a look, there's not much else i can suggest, apart from telling you to take it to a PC repair place and them to have a look.

If the machine is a decent age, i'd be more inclined to tell you to take your cash and get a new one - you can get a decent laptop for �250 - �300 nowadays.

Seeing as your machine is out of warranty, you will have to pay to get it repaired - and with repairs costing about the same, if not more, than a new laptop, common sense will prevail (i hope!)