Ughhh! Worst treatment of a $2,500 laptop I've ever seen

[Larry Sabo]

Have you tried seeing if Asus can send you parts directly? For a computer like that they may offer better support than the ones sold in Walmart that we usually see.

I'm going to try the original AC adapter and if it still produces no HDMI video I'll refer it to a colleague who is a whizz at MB repairs. I've thought about trying a video cable from other laptops on the off chance it's compatible but am reluctant to experiment.

 

[NETWizz]

Hahaha. Yeah, I'm a bear for punishment. Now, she says she'll pay up to $700 if I can fix it.

@Luke: the hard drive has 72 sectors pending re-allocation.

She does know you can get the data back much cheaper, right? ...She knows that you don't have to fix it to get her data off it... ?

 

[oldtech]

Total waste of time and effort. I would have to be bored out of my mind before even trying to fix that mess. As others have said even at 700.00 I think you may spend near that on parts alone...

 

[Larry Sabo]

She does know you can get the data back much cheaper, right? ...She knows that you don't have to fix it to get her data off it... ?

Yes, I believe so. I offered to transfer her data to a loaner (which she said was not necessary) and didn't even mention a cost to do that.

@oldtech: As I mentioned, I love a challenge. If the MB is not toast, it just means cleaning up the mess, re-attaching the hinges to the top cover, and replacing the video cable. Unfortunately, the MB is not giving me video on the HDMI port so it may all be for naught, except I'm charging her for my labour to clean up the bottom cover and palm rest. If my colleague can get the MB to talk to us, everyone wins.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I would bet that the shorting cable probably took out the MB at this point.

 

[Altster]

When I offered to transfer the data to a loaner while we wait for a video cable, she was, meh, don't really need it. Skype was more important to her for some reason.

BTW, she assures me the gunk on the keyboard was nothing but food. I can't imagine the condition of her fridge or house.

A "loaner?" You seriously offered her a loaner after seeing the condition of this unit? I'd only offer a loaner for a fee after seeing what she has done to / with her unit.

 

[NETWizz]

Yes, I believe so. I offered to transfer her data to a loaner (which she said was not necessary) and didn't even mention a cost to do that.

@oldtech: As I mentioned, I love a challenge. If the MB is not toast, it just means cleaning up the mess, re-attaching the hinges to the top cover, and replacing the video cable. Unfortunately, the MB is not giving me video on the HDMI port so it may all be for naught, except I'm charging her for my labour to clean up the bottom cover and palm rest. If my colleague can get the MB to talk to us, everyone wins.

Re-attaching the hinges? Yeah right... The hinges are surely bent or broken, and the chassis being plastic probably needs a complete new clam-shell to do the job right and make it cosmetic. Anything less and she will NOT be satisfied because for $700 she is in-visioning a brand-new, refurbished laptop... The chassis, hinges, bezel, display cable, antenna /w coax cables, keyboard, and probably motherboard all have to be replaced!

Basically that is the entire lower half is more or less toast! Sure, there might be a good heatsink/fan, processor (if even removable), RAM sticks, bluetooth (if removable), wireless adapter, speakers, usb/headphones header, and perhaps even the rubber feet ;-)


My opinion would be to buy another, identical (refurbished) laptop with the same or better processor for the $775... move the hard drive over (or realistically image the data over to it if the original drive is going bad), make the MOST RAM between the two... Check the little things like which one has the best Bluetooth & wireless adapter...


********************

I once fixed a laptop like this that had a A) Broken power button board, B) Plastic chassis for LED, C) Bezzel, D) Palmrest, E) Keyboard F) had to transfer the wireless antennas over, G) needed a battery, H) had a lost power adapter, I) needed a clean install of Windows/drivers/AV/Updates J) I rescued all the files first (of course)

She had a second laptop that needed an A) LED replacement.


I fixed BOTH of them for her for $95ish (my cost for all the parts sourced) because she truly IS probably my best friend, and I wanted to protect her from paying the big bucks.

The damage was caused by *drumroll* putting them in the bottom of a box when she moved. Had pots and pans etc on top of them!

After they were fixed, the repair lasted maybe a couple months before she broke them again.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. My customer will bring over the original AC adapter tomorrow and if still no joy, will take back the laptop to think about next steps. I can't imaging the original adapter will make any difference so I'm going to gather it up and be ready to return it. The MacGyver in me actually looked forward to the challenge of repairing the hinges. I'm disappointed that I couldn't rescue this poor maltreated gem.

 

[eznetso]

You are a better person than I would be! We have seen a lot of bad looking machines come into the shop (including a roach infection) but nothing as physically damaged as that. You might be better off finding a casing and just swapping the mobo if it's functioning. Wow good luck!

 

[Larry Sabo]

Actually, the case cleaned up pretty well. Haven't bothered with the screen assembly because without video from the MB, there's no point.

 

[katz]

The MacGyver in me actually looked forward to the challenge of repairing the hinges. I'm disappointed that I couldn't rescue this poor maltreated gem.

That's me as well, Larry...

I also love the challenge of resurrecting a busted up piece that's been abused like this. At some point though, as NETWizz suggested, I would probably have strongly considered purchasing an identical refurb unit or talking the client into something similar and moving the data over. Is a replacement motherboard available on ebay/other at a reasonable price?

 

[Larry Sabo]

Is a replacement motherboard available on ebay/other at a reasonable price?

To tell you the truth, I haven't looked on eBay just for the MB. No video cable is listed by North American eBay sellers but I found a guy on Kijiji selling used/refurbished similar/identical models for $1,100 cash and I e-mailed him to ask if he had any of the parts I needed. No reply so far. My MB repair colleague has turned down the MB repair because of the difficulty finding the likely-required parts. He recommended looking for a US-based repair service as they would be more likely to have the required parts, but I I'm done with it.

 

[Colin]

recently did a LCD on a Asus ROG laptop, you are right these parts are hard to find as my supplier and laptopscreen.com came up short I had to order from Ebay (shutter) screen came in and work 100% just shipping was extra slow!

 

[Larry Sabo]

Customer phoned last night saying she has arranged with ASUS for them to repair it. Said it would cost $600-$700. I would like to see the look on the face of their tech when he sees it for the first time. Too bad I cleaned up the bottom cover, palm rest and keyboard but I'll get paid for that anyway.

 

[cypress]

Well at least you got paid and now you don't have to deal with the headache anymore.

 

[Porthos]

Customer phoned last night saying she has arranged with ASUS for them to repair it. Said it would cost $600-$700.

I have a feeling when they see it they will back-out or raise the price/ try to sell a replacement.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I have a feeling when they see it they will back-out or raise the price/ try to sell a replacement.

Yep, I can't imagine they will fix it for that price. I bet the only know a small portion of what is wrong with it.

 

[HCHTech]

Yep, I can't imagine they will fix it for that price.

Exactly. Once they have her laptop (and she has no leverage), the $600-$700 quote will suddenly be amended. They will probably offer to send it back (if she pays shipping) or give her some small pittance off on a new computer. I had something similar happen with a Dell return some years ago. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she had to give a credit card number to even start the return process.

Keep us posted if you find out more!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I would strongly suggest doing a backup or pulling the drive before sending it in though. I know she didn't seem concerned about it, but that story might change if she doesn't get the laptop back from ASUS.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Keep us posted if you find out more!

Sure will. It will be interesting, especially as she said she had a big cheque coming in soon to cover my estimated $500 bill. LOL