Need help deciding between two laptops

[Pinkbullet3]

[spoiler=Old post.]Earlier today, I turned on my computer and I saw the Energy Star symbol and some information which I didn't take down... I normally never see this screen, so I thought that was odd.

 

Then, I am faced with a "Resuming Windows" screen. After a few seconds of that, my computer shut down. I pushed the on/off button and nothing happened.

 

Since the motherboard light is on (there's a little green light that I can see through my computer case's screen), I think the computer's power supply has no problem, but I'm not sure if that means my motherboard is bad.

 

I bought this computer off CyberPower in May of 2007.

 

:-(

 

 

March 29,2010

(Decided to use this old thread for the sake of not having to create a new one.)

 

Just looking for a laptop to use for college next year. I've narrowed my choices down to two: an Asus and a Toshiba (but I'm willing to take a look at more if you guys have some suggestions):

Toshiba Satellite L505-ES5018 - CNET

Best Buy's Info

 

Asus K60I-RBBBR05 - CNET

Best Buy's Info

 

Side-by-side Comparison

 

Thanks for your input. :-)

[Will H]

Sounds like a hardware problem, but it may or may not be your motherboard. I'm afraid the best way to do this is remove and replace parts with ones you know do work, booting each time, until it works again, then add your old parts until it stops working. Then by deduction you can work out what's faulty. If you don't have working parts to spare, or feel confident about going about this, get a PC repair shop to do it for you.

 

Oh, and that information is a POST (power on self test) screen, indicating detected devices and stuff, but most motherboards obcure it with a logo.

[Pinkbullet3]

Sounds like a hardware problem, but it may or may not be your motherboard. I'm afraid the best way to do this is remove and replace parts with ones you know do work, booting each time, until it works again, then add your old parts until it stops working. Then by deduction you can work out what's faulty. If you don't have working parts to spare, or feel confident about going about this, get a PC repair shop to do it for you.

 

Oh, and that information is a POST (power on self test) screen, indicating detected devices and stuff, but most motherboards obcure it with a logo.

(Typing from a library computer.)

 

Thanks for the post. My dad thinks it's the power sprite, but unfortunately the old power sprites from our old computers don't have the same number of pins that my motherboard requires.

 

At the moment I need to review for my final exams which are next week, so I won't get time to fix the computer. At the same time, I'm considering purchasing a laptop because I will be attending college next year.

 

I guess it's a good thing my computer stopped working? I've always been wondering what to do with it before I leave for college. :-?

[ClareJonsson]

One thing you can do is to remove all cards plugged into the motherboard and unplug the hard drive and CD ROM drive. Plus take out the RAM, then try to turn it on. If the PC attempts to power up and beeps at you, then it's possible one of the peripherals are at fault. If the PC still stays dead, then it's either the Motherboard or the Power Supply Unit.

[Will H]

One thing you can do is to remove all cards plugged into the motherboard and unplug the hard drive and CD ROM drive. Plus take out the RAM, then try to turn it on. If the PC attempts to power up and beeps at you, then it's possible one of the peripherals are at fault. If the PC still stays dead, then it's either the Motherboard or the Power Supply Unit.

 

Of course, make sure you have one of those tiny motherboard speakers plugged in, or you won't hear anything. :wink:

[Pinkbullet3]

So my dad and I purchased a new PSU and when I reconnected all the wires, it computer still wouldn't turn on (although the motherboard light turned on, like before) and then we returned the PSU back to the store. Therefore, the problem is either in the motherboard or (as my dad also suggests I look at) the HD.

 

The HD I have no problem testing out because I can just swap it out for another computer's, but replacing a motherboard means that I would have to move all the hardware from my old motherboard to a new one (if I buy a new one).

 

Therefore, I am considering just ditching the computer altogether and purchasing a laptop, as a mentioned in my previous post.

 

If I were to purchase a laptop,

 

1) What would I do with my desktop's parts?

 

2) Where would I be able to find a reasonably priced (< $600) laptop that's good for college and will last 4 years? (Sorry about the generic question.)

 

Thanks.

[Tim]

I'd say the Motherboard. I had almost the exact same problem though mine was caused probably by age.

[luvandpower]

 

Therefore, I am considering just ditching the computer altogether and purchasing a laptop, as a mentioned in my previous post.

 

If I were to purchase a laptop,

 

1) What would I do with my desktop's parts?

 

2) Where would I be able to find a reasonably priced (< $600) laptop that's good for college and will last 4 years? (Sorry about the generic question.)

 

Thanks.

 

Couple of things you could do with the parts.

 

1) Give to like the salvation army, they have many funds out there to give those who cannot afford a computer parts such as that.

 

2) Just throw away in the dump...

 

3) THe WORKING parts you could always try to sell piece by piece on Ebay or something.

 

_____________________________

 

Reasonable price computers of <600 can be normally found at Wal-mart or Target in brands such as Dell, Acer, Toshiba, or Compaq. I would suggest trying to get one that has a little higher RAM if you plan to play Runescape while in college.

 

-Luvandpower

[Pinkbullet3]

Bump.

[Distracted]

I think I prefer the Asus. Not only does it have better editor's rating, but after a quick scan of the specs I found most was the same/a bit better than the Toshiba, but it was cheaper and lighter (ok, .3 lbs, but it's something lol). Personally I'd go for the Asus, but I'm not a computer wizz so you'd better ask for a second opinion too lol.

[champion]

Yeah, the Asus seems better in most categories.

[Sbrideau]

Asus is much better than Toshiba as it will not break as easily either. My 2 year old Asus still works like new while my friend's one year old Toshiba has to go for repairs as the screen is about to come off.

[Pinkbullet3]

I have the Asus sitting in front of me now, and there seems to be a slight problem with the sound when I have my headphones plugged in.

 

My headphones work fine when I plug them into my iPod, but when plugged into the laptop I can hear some static in my left headphone. The sound quality is also god-awful. There's no bass whatsoever; even the sound quality on my dad's Acer Aspire One is better.

 

-.-

 

Over all it's pretty good. Still gotta find a way to transfer all of my iTunes music from my old SATA harddrive. Is there some kind of special cable that I can use?