Technology let down....

[Izzie]

I need to vent. I'm so frustrated I could scream.

It's been two months since my HP laptop (Pippin) went to the "Computer Dr."
This guy really does great work, and if he doesn't know about something, he does his homework. And he's a lot cheaper than the bigger names around here.

My screen suddenly went blank, while everything else was working fine. The old trick of shining a flashlight on it revealed nothing. (sometimes you'll be able to see the screen, but very dimly) You can see everything just fine on an external monitor.

Took the guy two weeks to find the proper manual online that explained how to get the machine apart. Arg.

First, we tried a new inverter board. Cheapest fix.
Nope.

Then we tried a new screen. Expensive fix.
Nope. And, of course, we only discovered that my original screen works just fine in another laptop AFTER we paid for a new one.

This week, we tried new cables that connect the screen and such. Still nothing. Doc is throwing in the towel, and I'm very distraught.

The only thing left that we can think of is something funky in the motherboard.

This is all happening right when my car needs some work done too, of course.
And it took weeks because each of these parts are specific to this laptop (unlike desktop parts which are handy and generic), and had to be ordered on Ebay. And Doc was "swamped"....

AND it's just a month after my warranty has expired.

AND it's right before Denver's Orchid Show and Sale that I've been saving up for.


I spent an hour yesterday researching laptop repair companies near me that got good reviews online and on BBB, in order to get a second opinion.

I don't want to get a new computer. And an external monitor would defeat the purpose of having a laptop.
Why can't they build things to last anymore?





Excuse me while I go running around screaming outside.