What should I do?

[paniolo]

The screen on my Sony Notebook PCNG NV170, went out again, for the 3rd time. This time within 9 months of the last repair. The first two times were repaired under warranty. This time it's no longer covered.

How expensive is it to repair these?
Should I junk it and move on to another notebook?
Does anyone know of any low cost repair places?

Thanks

[paniolo]

Bump to the top

[glc]

Have you gotten an estimate from any service centers yet?

[paniolo]

Originally Posted by glc Have you gotten an estimate from any service centers yet?

I'm not knowlegeable of how these things work, so I really put my fate in the hands of my local vendor, Comp USA. Both previous times they told me the screen had to be replaced, under warranty, for $1,200.00.

So I'm thinking the screen went out again, and this time it will be $1,200.00 out of pocket for me. That's why I'm surfing for help here.

[tmathews]

Did they tell you what failed the other two times (backlight? display controller?)? Do these Sonys have a reputation for display failures? I would be worried that either their displays are poor quality or there's something else in the system that is killing the displays.

Before paying out-of-pocket to get it fixed again, I suggest you contact Sony directly and explain your situation. With luck, they'll do the right thing and offer to fix or replace it for you.

[thefultonhow]

I replaced a screen on an IBM ThinkPad T21 recently. The cost of the "like-new" LCD panel (and it came in great condition) was only a bit over $100. Unless they have to replace the motherboard to fix your problem, $1200 is waaaay too high. If they do have to replace your motherboard, though, then $1200 isn't too unreasonable -- the costs I've seen for that kind of repair range from $600 to $900.

If the screen is the problem, take it to a local mom-and-pop shop and see if they can repair it. If the motherboard is the problem, get a Dell with a four-year warranty with accidental damage protection -- by the time it expires you'll be looking to upgrade anyway. Keep in mind also that if you buy with a credit card the companty will add a year to your warranty -- so you would in effect be buying a 5-year warranty with full coverage for any hardware problem you'd ever have, whether caused by you or not.

[paniolo]

Thanks for all the responses.

I went surfing on another site, http://p200.ezboard.com/funofficialsonyfrm8, and they said it was a common Sony Vaio backlight problem. They directed me to this place: http://www.aqstech.com/, and today I spoke to their tech. He said he could repair it for about $100.00.

So, I am glad I had my doubts about Comp USA and their diagnosis.

[glc]

$100 is very reasonable for a backlight replacement.