Repairing an old Laptop

[Andy from Kent]

 

I can be an extremely lazy sod putting things off and I fully admit that.    I've had three tablets sitting in a drawer for years with the intention of possibly getting them repaired. 

They are a Powerbook G4, (2005)     a MacBook Air   (2009?)    And a MacBook Pro    (2010-2012?)      

 

I got the  Pro fixed by a local shop for 7300 THB.  They replaced the hard drive, keyboard and installed a new battery.     All's well now  with the Pro however for ease of use I may ask them to replace the trac pad as well.    Another 2K baht.    I can get by using a mouse but I prefer a trac pad.   

 

He wouldn't touch the  old Air as he said he couldn't get parts for it.     No problem for me.   The Air still  works but ever so slowly.

 

The Air and the Pro were entirely my fault as I caused a tiny bit of  liquid damage.  it only takes some drops.   I think the  PowerBook just wore out at one point from usage and a few falls.

 

My favorite over the years has been the PowerBook and I wish it could be repaired.    I watched a video on opening one and it's more than just a couple of screws.     The major issue it has  is a  loose connection which when moved  in the slightest shuts down the lap.  I told the shop I'd  bring it in and they could see if there's any correction that can be made with the connection.

 

Does anyone know where I could order any parts for the old PowerBook?      I know it's old and  essentially worthless but I still like it.

 

I currently use an Air that's seven years old and still ticking.

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Andy from Kent

[OneMoreFarang]

Check this guy:

Louis Rossmann - YouTube

 

He is the top repair guy and he has many videos. You should be able to find your answer.

Spare parts is the BIG problem with Apple.

[Eindhoven]

I hope an SSD was included for that 7300 baht.

 

If the Air (2009) is working, what parts does it need? If just slow and doesn't have an SSD fitted as standard, fit an SSD yourself.   Core2Duo SL9400 or Core2Duo SL9600?

 

Comparisons with and without SSD:

SL9400 with SSD vs SL9600 with HDD :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDrZ5xaeQVI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73O7pmFKQCA

 

How to fit SSD yourself:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-x8ExwVU0Y

 

 

G4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnoQrOdNeiA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXPYuQ9FliY

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Eindhoven

[Mike Teavee]

@Andy from Kent- Where was the local shop you used(I'm assuming  by the time of your post & the fact you quoted in THB that you're not in Kent)  & would you know how much they charge to just replace the keyboard on a Macbook Pro?

 

I have one that I had the keyboard replaced on (down arrow key stopped working) & it took 3 attempts (Left Shift and/or Left Alt Key would stick after 1-2 months) at a place in Singapore. 

 

The problem (L-Alt) has now come back & I was thinking of taking it to Dr Macbook (https://www.drmacbook.com/) but welcome any other recommendations in Bangkok. 

 

Would also welcome any opinions/experiences using Dr Macbook, I don't want to pay to replace the keyboard again & find the problem comes comes back after a couple of months (The unit is 6.5 years old but still faster than the Lenovo I bought last year). 

 

 

Thanks... 

 

 

MTV

[poohy]

Similar problem here

My Acer aspire E5 works fine but body is broke, its cracked in about 3 places and screen holding top and bottom together fittings broken (screen is fine) 

But seems no can find or be bother to order parts and or repair or as one did quoting the cost of a nearly new laptop

 

Its currently held together by superglue!

[Andy from Kent]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Check this guy:

Louis Rossmann - YouTube

 

He is the top repair guy and he has many videos. You should be able to find your answer.

Spare parts is the BIG problem with Apple.

 

"Spare parts is the BIG problem with Apple."      I get that although after recently  having seen a list of Apple products on what is  and isn't supported, I can imagine the nightmare of trying to stock parts for every product made in the last 15 years or so.     I figure I may be able to find someone with an old Powerbook willing to part with it for just parts.    As I mentioned it's only a loose connection at the charge port but in fact it could be the charger  male part itself as far as I know. As long as Apple supports the product, which is I believe up to three upgrades past, it's smooth  sailing.

 

My mission may be be too much  uphill.

 

Thanks for the heads up.   If the repair shop determines a needed part, I'll certainly try to contact your reference.

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Andy from Kent

[Eindhoven]

7 minutes ago, poohy said:

Similar problem here

My Acer aspire E5 works fine but body is broke, its cracked in about 3 places and screen holding top and bottom together fittings broken (screen is fine) 

But seems no can find or be bother to order parts and or repair or as one did quoting the cost of a nearly new laptop

 

Its currently held together by superglue!

 

 

Full model number and your location?

 

Bearing in mind this is an Apple forum, let's keep it short.

[OneMoreFarang]

5 minutes ago, Andy from Kent said:

 

"Spare parts is the BIG problem with Apple."      I get that although after recently  having seen a list of Apple products on what is  and isn't supported, I can imagine the nightmare of trying to stock parts for every product made in the last 15 years or so.     I figure I may be able to find someone with an old Powerbook willing to part with it for just parts.    As I mentioned it's only a loose connection at the charge port but in fact it could be the charger  male part itself as far as I know. As long as Apple supports the product, which is I believe up to three upgrades past, it's smooth  sailing.

 

My mission may be be too much  uphill.

 

Thanks for the heads up.   If the repair shop determines a needed part, I'll certainly try to contact your reference.

 

 

Apple seems to have the policy that they only change modules. I.e. if a connector is broken they may change the main board with that connector - for several hundred USD.

And many parts which are used in Apple computers are not available on the electronic markets - not even for the experts.

Look at one of those movies from Louis and you will get a good idea about the bad situation.

[poohy]

5 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

 

 

Full model number and your location?

 

Bearing in mind this is an Apple forum, let's keep it short.

Sorry never realised it was Apple related i just saw laptop

acer aspire E5 473G 32HE model number N15C1

Prachuap

Cheers

[tomazbodner]

2 hours ago, Andy from Kent said:

Does anyone know where I could order any parts for the old PowerBook?

ebay.com - put powerbook g4 in search line.

[sometimewoodworker]

2 hours ago, Andy from Kent said:

My favorite over the years has been the PowerBook and I wish it could be repaired.    I watched a video on opening one and it's more than just a couple of screws.     The major issue it has  is a  loose connection which when moved  in the slightest shuts down the lap.  I told the shop I'd  bring it in and they could see if there's any correction that can be made with the connection.

It is quite possibly a fractured ribbon cable, that’s more likely than a loose connection.

 

for the Air, you haven’t given enough information as to if it has the SSD or HD but either way the first step is to wipe the disk and reinstall the OS, then if it’s still too slow if it’s not got an SSD put one in, if it has even then a new one will be faster.

it had a remarkable slow HD 4,200 rpm so an SSD would make a huge difference. If you’re opening it you will need a new battery.

which OS are you running?

[Eindhoven]

25 minutes ago, poohy said:

Sorry never realised it was Apple related i just saw laptop

acer aspire E5 473G 32HE model number N15C1

Prachuap

Cheers

 

You can have this kind of work done at an official service centre. Though it may be cheaper for you to source the parts yourself.

I did this and they charged me a mere 400 baht + VAT to fit. They did an excellent job as always.

 

The part are easy to find and order as the device is not that old, but firstly you need to ascertain which parts are needed.

 

Sounds like a hinge issue.  So I'm guessing LCD front cover, bezel and hinges. 

 

Maybe 2000 baht. Plus fitting. Let's start at 500 baht. Plus a much needed SSD, minimum 500 baht.

 

3000 baht all in, as a ballpark figure.

 

Examples: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823478452.html

http://www.thainotebookparts.com/main/product_detail.php?prd_id=7349

https://shopee.co.th/Silicon-Power-128GB-256GB-512GB-เอสเอสดี-A55-SSD-3D-TLC-NAND-SATA-III-2.5-Internal-Solid-State-Drive-3-Years-Warranty-i.219846402.7131212222

 

Your nearest service centres are in Bangkok or Phuket: https://acerthailand.com/service/

 

Mine, in Chonburi, would do the work whilst I waited. Perhaps you can organise to do the same. Then you can make a single trip to get all done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[poohy]

6 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

You can have this kind of work done at an official service centre. Though it may be cheaper for you to source the parts yourself.

I did this and they charged me a mere 400 baht + VAT to fit. They did an excellent job as always.

 

The part are easy to find and order as the device is not that old, but firstly you need to ascertain which parts are needed.

 

Sounds like a hinge issue.  So I'm guessing LCD front cover, bezel and hinges. 

 

Maybe 2000 baht. Plus fitting. Let's start at 500 baht. Plus a much needed SSD, minimum 500 baht.

 

3000 baht all in, as a ballpark figure.

 

Examples: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32823478452.html

http://www.thainotebookparts.com/main/product_detail.php?prd_id=7349

https://shopee.co.th/Silicon-Power-128GB-256GB-512GB-เอสเอสดี-A55-SSD-3D-TLC-NAND-SATA-III-2.5-Internal-Solid-State-Drive-3-Years-Warranty-i.219846402.7131212222

 

Your nearest service centres are in Bangkok or Phuket: https://acerthailand.com/service/

 

Mine, in Chonburi, would do the work whilst I waited. Perhaps you can organise to do the same. Then you can make a single trip to get all done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the help and advice