[NTLUG:Discuss] Sharing a service experience

[Andrew Brown]

OK have a Toshiba 2430-S256 Laptop with a P4 processor. Been running it
full tilt boogy with Microsoft for about a year with some work software.
She started getting VERY hot and shutting down on me. Called around to
get some quotes on service and asking about possible problem. Mostly got
the run around... took my work off the Laptop and to a new HP desktop. 

Meanwhile changed the laptop to SuSE 9.2 and found it doing the same
thing, so I knew it wasn't a software problem. Put FC3 on it and same ol
same ol. Took the system into Atlantis Computers to get a check up.
After about a week I finally got an answer. Seems my P4 was dead. 

Hmmm, I knew the cooling system has tie in's to the processor for shut
down when it gets hot, but the fans were working and the system was
doing what it was supposed to do when it got hot???

Well the quote to fix was over $600. They told me the processor and
motherboard on this unit came as one piece and would have to buy them
both. Was skeptical of this as I saw online where you could buy the
processor and the M'board separate. So my heart hung low with an
impending P4 purchase or letting the laptop go by by...

Got to thinking... maybe I can do the work, go in and see what is inside
here. As I began to take the laptop apart I noticed that it did not
appear that the system had been pulled apart before. Little covers on
the screws were the originals. Hmmmm. I noted a back panel to the area
that was getting hot. Bought the tool and pulled it. Low and behold the
fins were full of dust and debris. Spent about 5 min cleaning it out and
ran the system. Put it thought the paces and no shut down. Ran cool as a
Spring morning. Hmmmmm new P4 eh? Seems I spent $65.00 for Atlantis to
hold on to my computer for a week then give it back.  

Well after $13.99 for a tool kit and 5 minutes of hard labor my problem
was fixed. Note to self, NEVER take a system in for a check. What do
they know anyway?!?!?! Running the FC on it and it is great. Now if I
could get the darn wireless working! ha