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-UE
My computer is breaking.
I'm not much of a tech guy-- my dad and my brother always handled the hardware stuff. Over the past 2.5 years, my laptop (Inspiron 1545; it's served me well enough) has taken somewhat of a beating. Currently, the bezel (the plastic frame on top of the screen) is bent, broken, and just plain falling apart. I'm not sure I can even close the laptop properly. We're going to try and affix a temporary measure (glue or duct tape or what have you) to hold it in place tomorrow, but I'm not sure how effective it will be. Everything else in the laptop is in fair condition, so I'm wondering if I can just find a replacement bezel and put an end to my problems then and there. I just... dunno.
Comments
Yes. Here's a link to a pretty good tutorial detailing how to do just that.
http://blog.parts-people.com/2011/01/19/dell-inspiron-1545-lcd-display-bezel-removal-and-installation/
Make sure to remove the battery and hold the power button for 10 seconds or so before getting started. This should discharge the capacitor and get rid of any trace amounts of electricity on the motherboard. (Some people skip this step, but it's better to be safe than sorry!)
If you glue the bezel on now, it'll just make it harder to remove later on if you finally decide that you've had enough and purchase a replacement.
A replacement bezel part should only cost you around 25 dollars online.
I checked the replacement parts section of the Dell site and couldn't find a replacement bezel for your laptop, so I guess I'll just link you to the Amazon search results to get you started, since I'm not sure if you've got a webcam or not.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=inspiron+1545+bezel&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=7287286821&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=20610699931450475870&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_2m47rp0961_b
Thanks for the advice. We're planning to tape it shut for the time being; eventually we'll have it examined more thoroughly. Hopefully the bezel is the only part that needs fixing/replacing.
Good luck fixing it, dude. I'll be around to help if you decide that you want to replace it.
Good to know. I'd hate having to replace it just because of a broken bezel/hinge-- the rest of the laptop is in working condition, so that would just feel like a waste. Anyway, I asked my dad, who asked one of his coworkers, who recommended a repair shop nearby. We're taking it in on Monday so they can have a better look.
Okay, quick update: we brought the laptop to the repair shop on Tuesday. They have all the replacement parts they need now. Supposedly a typical repair takes 2-3 days, so I'll still be mostly off the grid for another day or two. Hopefully I won't suffer any withdrawal before then. Assuming I haven't already.
Update, part deux: apparently, my mom misheard over the phone. They don't have the parts yet. They ordered them, and are waiting for them to arrive. I'd like to go over there, pick up my computer, and bring it back when they actually have the parts, but they closed at 5:00, they won't be open tomorrow, and since it's a holiday, they probably won't be open on Monday either. ARGH!
That sounds pretty annoying, especially since at this point it seems like all they are really doing is hanging onto your laptop for you. Not having much computer access when you are used to having it can be a little frustrating too, but I guess it gives you an excuse to do other stuff.
Anyway, I hope the repair ends up working out.
Okay, we've been trying to contact the repair shop all day to see if I can pick up my computer while we wait. Either they're really busy or there's something up with their phone line, because we've been getting a busy signal all day. Now it's been over a week since we first dropped off the laptop, we're waiting for parts to arrive, I don't have my computer, and this is really starting to piss me off.
YEEESSS. It's still a broken piece of shit, but it's MY broken piece of shit. A brief reprieve so I can catch up on all of the porn regular stuff I've been missing.
Nearly two weeks later, and the replacement parts have finally arrived. Going mostly off the grid for a few days again, but this time I actually have a general idea how long it'll be.