XPost: comp.os.linux.misc, alt.comp.os.windows-10
From: tnp@invalid.invalid
On 17/07/2025 12:00, Carlos E.R. wrote:
> On 2025-07-17 11:16, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
>> On 2025/7/17 8:37:0, c186282 wrote:
>>> On 7/16/25 2:41 PM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
>>>> On 2025-07-16 18:52, VanguardLH wrote:
>>>>> "Carlos E.R." wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have an old Compaq Presario CQ61-330SS laptop, which I think I
>>>>>> bought
>>>>>> around 2010. Battery died, I replaced it, also died eventually.
>>>>>> Currently I only use it to watch movies (it has very good internal
>>>>>> speakers), when exercising on an static bike.
>> []>>>> Some months ago, the display went black on boot, but closing
>> the lid
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> opening it again made it work. Today it is impossible, it goes dark
>> []>>>> Installed system is openSUSE, some old version, I don't
>> remember which.
>>>>>> I can not ssh to it, says
>> []
>>>>> Take a flashlight, and shine it at the display at an angle. Can
>>>>> you see
>>>>> what would have been displayed if the backlamps came on?
>>>>
>>>> I can easily try that. [...] You are absolutely right, I can see
>>>> the Compaq logo as it tries to boot.
>>
>> []
>>
>>> You MIGHT try some of the distros meant for
>>> older machines however. You don't have to
>>> abandon the benefits of Linux - just find
>>> a Linux oriented towards the right hardware
>>> context. Ancient hardware can STILL do a
>>> very good job with Linux - five times faster
>>> and more compact than any Win distro.
>>
>> Geez ...
>> It was working, now isn't - but the screen can be seen if external
>> illumination used.
>> So NOT an OS problem, but a hardware one: faulty hinge switch, loose
>> cable, faulty backlight, or faulty power supply to backlight
>> (inverter, if it's that kind of backlight).
>>
>
> Right.
>
>> He only uses it to watch movies, so no place for Linux evangelism -
>> he's already using a Linux anyway.
>
> Right.
>
>>
>> (Personally, after checking for switch/cable problem, I'd be expecting
>> to replace the display [even though working] and backlight all as one
>> sealed unit, as that's easier in my [very limitd] experience - but
>> check [I'm not sure how] that the inverter, if it's that sort of
>> display, is included in the display module, or is OK if not. And,
>> again based on very limited experience: get the part number off the
>> existing module. I found doing that produced much cheaper modules than
>> searching for "display for a ".)
>
> I don't feel up to doing it myself, I would need to find a shop willing
> to do it. The laptop has seen 14 years of service, so whether this is
> worthwhile I have my doubts. It was a good purchase and served me well.
> Maybe cheaper to buy something else.
>
The second hand market is a awash with out-of-service-contract ex
corporate machines bought for Covid.
They make solid dependable if un flashy laptops for general browsing and
watching videos.
The two features that really cheap ones lack is a reasonably wide LCD
viewing angle and reasonable onboard speakers.
Many people seem to like Lenovo. I've had good wear out of HP .
IN all case however spending a day learning to take one apart to find
the problem, and order the part and another day to reassemble it when I
can get a new better 'preloved one' for less than $300 is questionable
Especially if it has a board fault. I have not got the gear -
microscopes, tweezers, hot air guns, infra red cameras - that seem
necessary to diagnose faults, nor yet access to a bin of scrap boards
to pirate for a component whose value is unknown and on a machine with
no circuit diagram.
I think the pro laptop fixers charge a flat fee on the basis its all
labour anyway, if you have scrap laptops for parts, that you couldn't
repair with blown CPUs or GPUs.
Three hours of UK average labour rate nets me a new refurbed laptop.
Go figure
--
The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to
rule.
– H. L. Mencken, American journalist, 1880-1956
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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