Laptop dropped - recommendations?

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FuLL_MeT4L

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So my wife dropped her laptop last week (Lenovo T400).

The damage doesn't seem too severe, although the chassis does appear to be damaged.

The main issue in terms of functional damage is that the display and notification LEDs appear to only work when the screen is angled between 0 and ~30 degrees. Opening the screen properly makes everything go dark (the laptop itself continues to run when this happens).

Naturally I took the thing apart to see if I couldn't correct a wire or something. No dice, put it back together without finding anything and the problem persists.

Given that it seems to be beyond my own skills, I'm looking for somewhere that won't rip me off, or try and replace the whole motherboard or screen; this clearly isn't the issue?

Does anybody know of a great laptop repair shop in Cape Town?

Other points of interest:
Still technically under warranty - although as there's clear physical damage I don't think it's relevant.
Insured for R5k - I've never claimed against accidental damage, is this a mission?
 
If the problem only presents itself at a certain angle than I would say it's a cable(s) or connector(s).
 
ponder said:
If the problem only presents itself at a certain angle than I would say it's a cable(s) or connector(s).
Click to expand...

Agreed. Checked and replugged the connectors. Cant really do anything about all those super flat plastic cables either.
 
Take it to Turbo Tech, ground floor. Old Stanhope Road, Claremont (opposite Auric Auto & Honda workshops). They will give you an honest opinion. If it is indeed a write-off, be sure to remove the hard disc before binning it
 
Try to open the screen fully but press both sides of the screen while opening it to give it support.
 
It is under warranty and you have insurance, so whats the issue?

Take it to Lenovo - if they won't fix it under warranty ask them for a letter stating that it can't be repaired under warranty due to an accident and submit that to your insurance, shouldn't be an issue at all, that is what insurance and warranties are for, so use them.
 
lived666 said:
It is under warranty and you have insurance, so whats the issue?

Take it to Lenovo - if they won't fix it under warranty ask them for a letter stating that it can't be repaired under warranty due to an accident and submit that to your insurance, shouldn't be an issue at all, that is what insurance and warranties are for, so use them.
Click to expand...

Good call. Just double checked the warranty and it ran out three months ago tho lol. Will just do the Claremont repair center as suggested above then see about the insurance. :)
 
chrisc4290 said:
Take it to Turbo Tech, ground floor. Old Stanhope Road, Claremont (opposite Auric Auto & Honda workshops). They will give you an honest opinion. If it is indeed a write-off, be sure to remove the hard disc before binning it
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris. Will check it out!
 
ponder said:
If the problem only presents itself at a certain angle than I would say it's a cable(s) or connector(s).
Click to expand...

This. Maybe open the monitor and make sure the connectors there are connected.

Also check the the condition of the connecting ribbons/cables. Might need replacing....
 
I think the Lenovo has a matte screen while the acer has a glossy screen, personal preference would be for the matte screen.
 
I would have said the Lenovo BUT they insist on putting the FN key where the Ctrl key should be. Why can't they just make their keyboard layouts the same as all the other manufacturers.
lenovo-keyboard.jpg
Acer gets my vote.
 
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