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| Thread ID: 103242 | 2009-09-16 10:03:00 | Professional "repair" on laptop - advice please | globe (11482) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 810817 | 2009-09-17 04:21:00 | No, I think the price is excessive. It doesn't take that long to test RAM, and they shouldn't charge for bench time at their premises either. Some of those repair centers for Name Brands have a set fee - even if it takes only 15 minutes. | wainuitech (129) | ||
| 810818 | 2009-09-17 05:41:00 | Just reread their email and they said "your unit requires to be put back to factory settings " however the quote reads "system restore"...the plot thickens They are either using the wrong terminology or trying to simplify the terminology by calling the method by which they restore the computer back to factory settings "system restore". That does destroy all the data but to be sure it would pay to ask them to be more specific. |
FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 810819 | 2009-09-17 06:50:00 | The laptop went a bit funny few weeks ago . Only a chepo Acer Aspire 3000 . It got the blue screen and a message saying Memory Parity Check . Took it to Acer in greenlane and they charged us $230 (excl) to "fix the problem" . Laptop started playing up again . Same deal . Took it back they said oh that'll be another $80 to do a system restore . Asked them what they did first time around to fix it and they said the changed the RAM . Apparently they asked the missus if she wanted a restore then but she said no as she was told she'd lose all the data on the machine . This does not sound right to me . Seems they either did not diagnose and fix the problem correctly first time or didn't explain the issue fully to her . So two things . . . (1) Does anybody else think this seems a bit odd to fix the problem then try and charge more to fix it again ? (I'm no computer expert) (2) Is a system restore just the same as reinstalling windows or is it more than that ? Thanks I fixed a work colleague (friend)'s laptop for free :D First time on the phone for an hour . Next time, old laptop, dead but I extracted the parts . 3rd time, I copied his files back and did a RAM transfer . He didn't want the HDD after it files transferred across, so I had it :thumbs: The way I would of fixed yours is: 1) restore HDD - copy your files first cos the restore will wipe the HD . Then take the CD out and put it in and press one button . 2) before this should be step (1), go to Dicks Smiths which have a great return policy and buy some RAM for $50 or $100 and put it in and see if you get the same problems . |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 810820 | 2009-09-17 06:53:00 | Some of those repair centers for Name Brands have a set fee - even if it takes only 15 minutes . Yup, it might be a fixed fee for any analysis . I would think technically $200 odd is not too much . I mean the RAM might be $100 and installation cost for labour . The guy might also run the laptop via RAM TESTING and that takes up time too . What I would personally frown on was, they don't seem to know what they are doing . They could of told you at the start what the job would cost up front . AFAIK there might be a 6 month warranty on repair work . |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 810821 | 2009-09-17 06:57:00 | Is it still giving "Memory Parity Check " errors or now another fault?? Laptops can be very hard to trace/repair hardware faults on. Changing the RAM was a good first option. You may need a new motherboard ($$$$$$$) My guess is when they said 'system restore' they meant reimaging the hard drive. No reason they couldn't back up all your data first, but it can take quite a bit of time to reload SP's, Office(& SP's), AV, email etc etc & copy back your original data files. Basicly, some faults are problematic, and may (not often) take more than one attempt to resolve. a good example: When I took my car in to be fixed (one cylinder not firing), every time I took it to the garage it would then would run perfectly, but start missfiring 1/2 day after picking it up again. I had 2 options: replace every part that could possibly be causing the intermittent fault ($3000) or keep taking it back in untill they could trace the fault ($400) Maybe the faulty memory is built into the motherboard? I have seen some latpops they have all the RAM on removable modules. But most I have seen, there are some builtin RAM not removable with a upgradable module to add on top. Personally for me if it would cost me $200 I rather get a new laptop for $700+. Or get a used one off TM for $200. Some places don't even stock Acer given the rate of failures. |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 810822 | 2009-09-17 07:12:00 | 1) Yes. They should not charge you twice. 2) A system restore takes the PC to a system state of the last restore point and does not affect any modified data or documents. So only programs installed and system settings changed. If this is a hardware problem which is might be, a SR will do nothing, and the problem will come back again! Doesn't the Acer restore CD wipe the HDD to factory status? Isn't it like Norton Ghost where it will wipe the destination and replace with new files? |
Nomad (952) | ||
| 810823 | 2009-09-17 08:01:00 | Is it still giving "Memory Parity Check " errors or now another fault?? Exactly the same fault. It started playing up again not long after it came back but it was very intermittent. Since then it has developed to making the machine unusable. My point is that if they tell us the problem was fixed and it wan't then surely they must be under obligation to fix it for free. If they didnt fix it first time then the money they charged should be refunded. They are the experts and have the diagnostics tools - if you take your car to the garage and he guesses at the problem and changes something that turns out to be the wring part do you just accept that ? |
globe (11482) | ||
| 810824 | 2009-09-17 08:02:00 | As said earlier, maybe the faulty ram are the ones built into the motherboard. Hence if you change the other ram it doesn't fix it. | Nomad (952) | ||
| 810825 | 2009-09-17 08:11:00 | Doesn't the Acer restore CD wipe the HDD to factory status? Isn't it like Norton Ghost where it will wipe the destination and replace with new files? Depends what they meant. A system restore could be referring to the feature in windows that allows you to roll back the system's registry and files....or they could be a "System" restore where the PC is restored to defaults(from an image) |
Blam (54) | ||
| 810826 | 2009-09-17 08:19:00 | Exactly the same fault. It started playing up again not long after it came back but it was very intermittent Key words in bold. As mentioned earlier - It really depends on IF it played up when and Assuming they did test it. If it tested OK, but played up after wards then obviously it wasn't fixed correctly. So Yes they should fix it for free. BUT that may also be an awkward one if the Motherboard is faulty, as a replacement board will be much more than the $230 paid. What ever the original fault is, its obvious they didn't locate it. It could also be a dry or lose solder joint - while on the workbench it may have been OK, but after traveling back to your place,the movement may have been enough to start it again. If the laptop is on someones Lap and it plays up, then that would indicate something lose somewhere (movement) on the work bench it wouldn't be moved about. Personally I would reinstall the OS back to factory settings after saving all data, that way it will count out a software problem. ( reinstall the OS) |
wainuitech (129) | ||
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