kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

Thank God I do computer repairs as a side job and also build my own desktops. Started my Linux Mint 18.2 computer up this morning and clicked on a subject to download . When I looked back nothing was happening . Noticed the mouse and keyboard lights were off . Powered down computer and restarted knowing any operating system can have a glitch now and then and restarting can fix it most of the time . Computer did the same thing after restarting . I then flipped the main switch off on the power supply ( some power supplies have one and some don't ) removed the memory boards and re-seated them ( sometimes you have to do it 2 or 3 times to make better connections ) removed the 24 point power connector from motherboard and re-seated it ( older computers have a 20 point power connector coming from power supply . Flipped power switch back on , turned computer back on , computer back to running normal again . Just saved a ton of money if I would of had to take it to a computer repair shop . If your computer turns on the light and the fans may start but doesn't start fully or freezes shortly after starting like mine did , you can try what I did before taking it to a repairman . My customers are very lucky , since I retired at 59 and do computer builds and repairs as one of my side jobs , I don't charge nearly what the other repair shops charge . Tom's Computer Repair

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Same here. I stared messing with computers with the XT. It does unnerve me that when I have to talk with the tech at a repair shop that I get treated like I don't know anything.

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

It's hard for me to go to a store like Staples for example , stand off to the side and listen to them tell someone how much it is going to cost them for repairs or to recover lost files etc. I have to hold myself back from going over and tell them I can do the same job much cheaper . Here is a good example . One of my sister's friends forgot a few years ago I repaired computers and took her laptop to the geek squad at best buy to repair it . They told her they would need her windows installation disk to repair it and it would cost $150. She stopped at my sister's house on the way home and I happen to be there . I had her computer repaired in less then 5 minutes , can't remember if I charged her anything , not more than $5.00 anyways. The small computer repair store that was here in my small town went out of business , The customers that I have picked up by word of mouth before and after he closed hated him they told me and would never go back . One thing that allows me to be cheaper is I don't have any over head cost , and I don't do it for the money . Have a nice day and sorry the computer techs make it sound like you don't know shit about computers . Tom

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Very talented Tom.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Great job. Although I am getting tired of fixing other people's computers as i really don't want to charge them. Trying to get out of doing this.

JRFINN Loc: Plymouth, MA

Dang, if you have to pull boards, reseat them and all to start a computer you may want to change motherboard manufacturers.
I'm 61 and have built many of my own systems without ever having a freeze up to reseat hardware.
Yikes hopefully you have a good backup at all times.

Cape Coral Joel

I agree there is something else going on with that mother board,power supply, memory etc, and my bet is that problem is not resolved.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

I wish you guys were close by my Toshiba Satellite E55t-A5320 series laptop has given me the blue screen of death. Error code is something about a missing page not found. Have tried unplugging it several times and it has not reset itself. I am either using my sons laptop or the computer at work. which I am on now. Oh well I guess my wife is going to let me buy a new laptop then I will find someone local to fix the old one.

rustfarmer

I am experiencing a "No signal" to monitor issue that started when I moved my desktop tower 3 feet to reorganize my desk. I have tried all the usual unplugging/reseating cleaning tricks. Not really expecting help here, just saying no good deed goes unpunished.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Cheaper to buy a new one.

Cape Coral Joel

If you have the OS disk try to run a repair. It could be the OS got corrupted.

rustfarmer

Thanks CCJ, I would try that if it would "post", but the dick drives don't even power on.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Like Marine73 I also have a Toshiba Satellite and while I love the PC, the service they offer is really expensive. When I purchased the laptop (I-7 with 16 meg of memory) I also purchased a docking station. It is 2+ years old and I just decided to open and use it for a slide show project. Inside it said to down load the needed software before connecting it. On line they had about 30 files listed so I called their help line and asked if they could just tell me which file is needed. They wanted to take control of my pc and load it for me and the cost would be greater than the price of the docking station. Trashed it and just use the USB connectors direct. They would not just tell me which file to use! Could have used Tom I guess!

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

My wife's HP computer with WinXP died on her a couple years ago. She likes the computer because it has certain programs on it that don't work with newer versions of Windows (games). The local computer repair diagnosed the problem as the motherboard and wanted almost $500 to install another one. I paid them their $35 diagnostic fee and took it home. Thought I mind try replacing the MB myself. Found an exact replacement on eBay for about $75. Ordered the MB and attempted the replacement myself even though I never did anything like that before. Took a lot of pictures along the way of all the wire connections to make sure I got them back in the right places. Got the MB replaced and turned on the computer and everything powered up just like before. I was impressed with myself. BTW, the HP is still running.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Interesting Fix :) :)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-496767-1.html