Anyone know a good computer repair place?

[dragongrrl]

Mostly overheating, but I'm also getting a weird discoloration around the outer edges of my screen.

The other things, slow response time, having to reload and reload pages that bounce, I think is due to Cox because when I go anywhere else, like a hotel, I don't have those problems. But I'd like to bounce it off of a professional just to see.

[Dilfan]

Mostly overheating, but I'm also getting a weird discoloration around the outer edges of my screen.
The other things, slow response time, having to reload and reload pages that bounce, I think is due to Cox because when I go anywhere else, like a hotel, I don't have those problems. But I'd like to bounce it off of a professional just to see.

What the industry "used" to call laptops, they now call "notebook computers", because people did have a tendency to set the computer in their lap while using it. This effectivly blocked the fans and reduced the air flow, thus causing the comuter to run hot. Most current systems have a sensor mounted on the motherboard that monitors the temperature of the CPU chip and it will shut down the system when it reaches a predetermined level.

I would recommend that you pick up a can or two of the compressed air and blow out the system through all of the case openings. Any foreign material that gets inside the case is going to inhibit cooling, and dust, pet hair, etc., gets drawn inside very easily.

Discoloration around the edges of the screen can come from a couple of different sources. You can try gently squeezing the edge of the case surrounding the screen to see if it has any effect. If so, it could be that the LCD panel is pulling away fromt he backing. More commonly, is the backlight or the voltage converter for the backlight is failing. Generally, when the backlight itself begins to fail, the screen will shift colors and get dimmer (much the same as a regular flourescent light will). If you have access to an external monitor, connect your notebook to it and see if the discoloration appears on the external monitor as well. If so, the culprit will usually be the graphics card.

As far as the response time, just make sure to defrag on a regular basis and clear the temporary files in your browser. Those two items can have serious impact on performance. If you still have performance problems after that, it could be your wireless connection, or as you stated - Cox.

[dragongrrl]

Wowie wow wow. You are great.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the air.

The discoloration looks like water or oil. I did squeeze it and couldn't tell if it helped but I'll keep trying.

I don't have an external monitor but maybe I can find one at work.

[Isabella Maja]

If you can't find an external monitor at work, I'll lend you one.

[dragongrrl]

How sweet. Thank you. Do you know how to hook up an external monitor to a notebook? I don't.

[Low-N-Slow]

Most notebook computers have a VGA out connector that matches the standard plug on a monitor cable. Usually the "D"-shaped 15-pin connector is color-coded blue. Just don't have both the notebook and the monitor powered on when you connect it, to avoid damage. Notebook on, monitor off is OK.

[Isabella Maja]

How sweet. Thank you. Do you know how to hook up an external monitor to a notebook? I don't.

You're welcome. Just let me know.

No to hooking up, but LnS looks like he did a good job of telling us.
I do have a computer prof that would allow me to call him & walk us thru.
Probably.

[dragongrrl]

Coolness. I'm going to Atlanta this weekend (I know glug glug) for the memorial service for my brother in law. Very sad and depressing story so I won't share. Anyway, I'll be back next week and I will PM you. Thanks again.

[Isabella Maja]

You're very welcome. Sorry to hear about your BiL. Stay dry. And don't bring the rain back with you!

[dragongrrl]

Thanks Isabelle.