Singapore Expats

Has anyone replaced the motherboard on your Sony vaio (out of warranty). I suspect the power module on my motherboard is faulty which requires replacement of the motherboard.
I presume it may cost more than S$500 .
I wish to know the approximate cost and decide on whether its worth replacing @ such expense. If yes then I would dump this notebook and buy new one.

that wouldn't have happened if you bought a dell now would it!

joke.

are you sure it is the "power module" thingy?

mrlily wrote:that wouldn't have happened if you bought a dell now would it!

joke.

are you sure it is the "power module" thingy?

I dont use it btw...that is my sisters notebok... i stick to mac

mac? where do you stick it?

mrlily wrote:mac? where do you stick it?

my lap...guess thats why its called laptop ..lol

Check around I found a nice company when I was in Germany that helped me diagnose and fix two old broken IBM machines. One was a problem powering up the screen forget exactly what the other the screen was FUBAR both out of warranty.

It's a pretty lucrative business, buy/repair certain models take a keyboard from this, a screen from that, case from this.

See if there's anything like that around as you might get the best price. It's definitely a cheaper route then going to the manufacturer.

Deetz wrote:Check around I found a nice company when I was in Germany that helped me diagnose and fix two old broken IBM machines. One was a problem powering up the screen forget exactly what the other the screen was FUBAR both out of warranty.

It's a pretty lucrative business, buy/repair certain models take a keyboard from this, a screen from that, case from this.

See if there's anything like that around as you might get the best price. It's definitely a cheaper route then going to the manufacturer.

I had thought about this option before but this may backfire as well.

What if the repair shop removes the genuine parts & replace them with fake ones...thats the reason for sticking to the manufacturer..

blue_thunder wrote:Has anyone replaced the motherboard on your Sony vaio (out of warranty). I suspect the power module on my motherboard is faulty which requires replacement of the motherboard.
I presume it may cost more than S$500 .
I wish to know the approximate cost and decide on whether its worth replacing @ such expense. If yes then I would dump this notebook and buy new one.

Check directly with Sony (via email/contact form) - they are usually very responsive and may give you price indication already. This will the most expensive option. Then look through Ebay for that specific MB to get the 2nd hand price. There are also some local repair shops at the back corridors of SLS but Vaios are or at least used to be pretty specific (like Dell in earlier years).
There is also a place in Peninsula Shopping Center with tons of used laptop parts and with an online catalogue:
http://www.pchub.com/uph/

x9200 wrote:

blue_thunder wrote:Has anyone replaced the motherboard on your Sony vaio (out of warranty). I suspect the power module on my motherboard is faulty which requires replacement of the motherboard.
I presume it may cost more than S$500 .
I wish to know the approximate cost and decide on whether its worth replacing @ such expense. If yes then I would dump this notebook and buy new one.

Check directly with Sony (via email/contact form) - they are usually very responsive and may give you price indication already. This will the most expensive option. Then look through Ebay for that specific MB to get the 2nd hand price. There are also some local repair shops at the back corridors of SLS but Vaios are or at least used to be pretty specific (like Dell in earlier years).
There is also a place in Peninsula Shopping Center with tons of used laptop parts and with an online catalogue:
http://www.pchub.com/uph/

I managed to the get the quote from Sony and it goes like this...

Cost of MB : S$520
Svc Charge: S$120
GST : S$ 45
==============
Total: S$685/-

I think i will top up another 200 bucks and get a branded netbook for the repair cost.

If you can strip it down and get the name of the part you need, you can buy it seperately and have the guy on the first floor in Sim Lim solder it on for you while you wait. Try the online manual for a diagram of how to strip it down. You should be able to get it done for much less 150$ tops

ksl wrote:If you can strip it down and get the name of the part you need, you can buy it seperately and have the guy on the first floor in Sim Lim solder it on for you while you wait.

I was not able to locate the part number for this MB...will perform the surgery by this weekend..
Since the warranty period is over...no harm in performing the surgery...

I regret buying this crap now ...If it had failed due to excessive usage then I would be glad to replace it...but it was seldom used in the last 2 yrs..

I should stick only apple which had not given any trouble for the last 5 yrs with 2 macbooks.

blue_thunder wrote:

ksl wrote:If you can strip it down and get the name of the part you need, you can buy it seperately and have the guy on the first floor in Sim Lim solder it on for you while you wait.

I was not able to locate the part number for this MB...will perform the surgery by this weekend..
Since the warranty period is over...no harm in performing the surgery...

I regret buying this crap now ...If it had failed due to excessive usage then I would be glad to replace it...but it was seldom used in the last 2 yrs..

I should stick only apple which had not given any trouble for the last 5 yrs with 2 macbooks.

There is also an Indian guy doing computer electronic repairs in Sim Lim, but I cannot remember which floor he is on. May also be the motherboard battery that's run flat some last 2 years some 3 years

ksl.

I m worried abt getting it done as SLS...owning to the fact that the OEM parts may be replaced for duplicate ones. Will try my hand on fixing this damn thing. If it fails then will give it for charity

blue_thunder wrote:ksl.

I m worried abt getting it done as SLS...owning to the fact that the OEM parts may be replaced for duplicate ones. Will try my hand on fixing this damn thing. If it fails then will give it for charity

If you fail, let me have a go, I've done many desk tops, and i have 2 dead laptops!

ksl wrote:If you fail, let me have a go, I've done many desk tops, and i have 2 dead laptops!

Not very promising sounding for trying to fix his lappy is it!