[lilVaratep]

I have a Gateway P7805u laptop that was broken. I've taken it to two repair places so far: one that offered a diagnosis free and quoted me $100 guaranteed fix, but wouldn't say what was wrong with the laptop. This other place; thegeeksters.com charges a diagnosis of $20 and if I were to carry on with the repair, they quoted me $79 total not a guaranteed fix. thegeeksters told me that the ribbon on the media bar of the laptop is faulty, and costs $40 to order, and $10 service charge. Again, this is not a guaranteed fix and they said something about a possibility that the switch that connects the media bar might as well be faulty and that they can't find the switch piece/item to order so therefore they can't guarantee a fix with just the ribbon replacement. I'm not sure if I should risk it and carry out with this repair as I have already downed $20, or should I go back to the other repair shop in shame after turning them down? Hopefully they won't raise their prices on me...

[blindstone]

What is wrong with the laptop? or did I miss it?

Most repair shops (Including mine) have a standard min fee. So it's not "sketchy" to hear that. The fact they say the media bar is faulty (again depends the issue you are having) i doubt thats the issue. Let me know what the issue is and ill see what I can do for ya!

[calvinthedestroyer]

Can you explain what is wrong with the laptop? No2pencil and I are always fixing laptops.

Not sure were you are at but your welcome to stop by the shop for a free estimate.

[no2pencil]

lilVaratep, on 30 March 2012 - 09:44 PM, said:

thegeeksters told me that the ribbon on the media bar of the laptop is faulty, and costs $40 to order, and $10 service charge.

Ribbons are not faulty. They can become dirty, or corroded at the contacts, which can be cleaned with chemical solutions. They can also become damaged. Both of those situations are post manufacturing, & I certainly wouldn't consider the ribbon faulty by definition.

lilVaratep, on 30 March 2012 - 09:44 PM, said:

they said something about a possibility that the switch that connects the media bar might as well be faulty and that they can't find the switch piece/item to order so therefore they can't guarantee a fix

That's just lame. I have two outlets for laptop components, not to mention a switch can 1st be verified with a multimeter, & if deemed defected can be replaced with a compatible part.

By the problems discussed, I'm assuming the laptop doesn't power on?

[lilVaratep]

The laptop doesn't power on, so I'm thinking it's something with the media bar. The charge light still shows up and everything.

[DarenR]

do you mean the screen is blank? or do you mean that you dont hear it spinning up?

[no2pencil]

Can you pull the media bar off, & check the ends of the ribbon? Or once the media bar is off, it may just be an extension that pushes a button on the motherboard.

Also, have you looked on eBay for either another media bar, &/or a parts laptop? If you provide to me the model of the laptop I can see if I can order the media bar & ribbon cable for you from one of our parts distributors. It would be far cheaper than going to a repair shop. I would expect the part to cost $12 to $25 at the most.

[lilVaratep]

The laptop is: Gateway P7805u. I already asked the shop to go ahead and try replacing one of the ribbons for $59 total and no success... Oh well... I can't seem to find the media bar anywhere... Don't really know about any distributors.

[DarenR]

i had a similar problem with one of mine and it turned out top be a bad lcd screen. However I did the testing myself and saved tons of $$$$.

[blindstone]

does the indicators on the laptop stating its plugged in or charging (lights) come on when its plugged in at all?

[lilVaratep]

Yes, the charging lights turn on. It just doesn't turn on.

[blindstone]

few simple things to test out.

1. Remove all power from the laptop - remove ac adapter and battery then hit the power button (Drains any static power from the system)

2. Reseat the ram (Take the ram chips out and put back in, does something sometimes )

3.Plug system back into the ac adapter (not the battery)

If it doesnt still turn on take the hard drive out remove the power first and reconnect the ac adapter then attempt again.

If still nothing (fans or lights other than charging light) could attempt at disassembling the power button itself to check if its dirty or not, all thoes button are is a metal click under the plastic that gets checked if its together or not so. Post results afterwards and let us know!

[calvinthedestroyer]

Is this the media bar that you need?:
media bar

You might want to try replacing the power switch too:
Power Switch

[lilVaratep]

Yes that is it, but it's just the cover and I don't think that'll fix anything... Probably something with the switch and the wires/connector.