IT Help, Please

[McG]

I've tried jiggling it about and can get it to charge for a short while only

This is actually very serious. This could amount to a simple repair or a complete write off depending on just how badly damaged the motherboard is. Yes, the power in socket is attached to the motherboard and if wiggling works then the socket has moved and its not supposed to. Damage could be limited to the socket itself, in which case replacing the socket will work, but if the socket remained firm then the motherboard itself is damaged. In which case the motherboard needs replacing and if its too old then you'll need a new lappy.

Think I'll rush it to A & E tomorrow. Laptop is probably only 2 or 3 years old so wasn't planning on a replacement! I think I would be covered by house insurance but may not be worth claiming given excess and increase in next year's insurance.
ps I'm using my phone now so a bit restricted!

[Ms Thrifty]

Any model/brand recommendations for my replacement laptop, please? I only do e-mail and browsing; nothing fancy like games or photo editing, but I'd like something sound and reliable - as would we all. Thank you!

[steve9872]

If that's all you're doing then a cheap netbook is all you need, but i'd look at them first to see if you're comfortable with the screen size which is typically 10". Their real advantage is the lack of weight so they're really portable.

[bobmo]

Any model/brand recommendations for my replacement laptop, please? I only do e-mail and browsing; nothing fancy like games or photo editing, but I'd like something sound and reliable - as would we all. Thank you!

Get a tablet! a Samsung tab 2

[jcolombi]

If that's all you're doing then a cheap netbook is all you need, but i'd look at them first to see if you're comfortable with the screen size which is typically 10". Their real advantage is the lack of weight so they're really portable.

I agree with what Steve has said! Notebooks are great!

I also am a fan of HP, which can be b*ght fairly cheaply!

[Ms Thrifty]

Thank you both for your suggestions.

I'm thinking more in terms of another desktop-replacement type laptop, partly as that's what I have now, so I do appreciate the larger screen size and justify a proper keyboard as I do a lot of typing on it; also because I'm thinking of supplementing that with a tablet (ideally the new Nexus 7, when available) so as to have something portable. I would also like a laptop with a DVD drive (again, that's what I have now and find it easy for installing software though I know it can be downloaded), but it's good to hear about brands to look out for.

I've tried to research the options online (difficult when my internet access is so intermittent), e.g. on Which? Amazon, specialist PC mags/sites, but they all seem to recommend different "Best Buys" and a model which one will favour won't even appear on another's list, so it still feels like a leap in the dark.

[steve9872]

OK then try this one http://www.cclonline.com/product/107181 ... p/NOT7890/ decent price, good name and decent spec. I'd still check out any reviews on the lappy.

Edit: This company has been around for decades. I b*ght stuff from them in the 90's.

[Ms Thrifty]

Thank you for this, steve9872 - shall have a look.

[claire]

Bugger. Just dropped iPad in bath. Arrrgggghhhh.

Only had it 3 weeks

Any ideas what to do?? It works but can see condensation screen
Only in water for 2 seconds

Does bowl of rice really work?

[steve9872]

I suspect that you cannot remove the battery either. Rice does work as it absorbs water and holds onto it, however your ipad will never be the same again. The main problem is that water is rarely pure and all the stuff dissolved in it will just settle inside the device and cause all kinds of problems, from simple shorts to actively eating away the components and circuit board. This is why insurance rarely covers water damage and is usually listed as an exclusion.
If you're lucky your insurance will cover it, but if not you'll have to b*y a new one before long.
All modern stuff has water intrusion detection of some kind so attempting to blag it is likely to result in you being uninsurable in future.