Lenovo tower or cpu faulty

[Guest Lenovo]

My lenovo tower just suddenly switched off. Try to press the start button but no response and no more blue light around the start button. I think it just died. I think I bought it about 4-5 years ago. 

 

Anyone knows any reliable repair shop? Or should I go to Lenovo repair centre? 

[upshot]

5 hours ago, Guest Lenovo said:

My lenovo tower just suddenly switched off. Try to press the start button but no response and no more blue light around the start button. I think it just died. I think I bought it about 4-5 years ago. 

 

Anyone knows any reliable repair shop? Or should I go to Lenovo repair centre? 

Your PSU might have died. Your power unit. Does your motherboard usually have lighting on it? Any form of lighting like LED or tiny lights. In any case, check if your electrical socket plug into your PC tower is securely plugged in. I have had many a time when I am told my colleagues PC can not start, quite a few times I crawl under their table to look at the power cable and I found that they kick the cable off or as they move their legs, shifted the PC and if the power cable is short, it gets loosen and over time just disconnect.

 

4-5yrs is old but if well maintain, can last another 2 yrs easy. If you sent in to Lenovo if you bought from them, expect to pay a premium for servicing it. PC are easier than notebooks to repair. I fix my own PCs for 30 yrs and I custom-build my own as well for high-end gaming computers. I can tell you that you do not need to bring to Lenovo for PC tower. You can bring this to Sim Lim Sq at the top two floors and get those shop to look into your PC to see what is wrong with it. 4-5 yrs is old and if you are running OS like Windows 10 I suspect it is slow and you are using it for very basic stuff like surfing the web and office  yes?

 

If you are not computer savvy, bring to Sim Lim Square to check it out. Might just need a part change. If the motherboard is fried. BUY A NEW SYSTEM if you can afford it. No need a high price one since you are so use to a 4-5 yrs old pc. If that is still fine for you, you do not need to buy a really powerful one that cost a lot.  If you are quite savvy, YouTube has a lot of video on how to check your system. Use that as a guide to check your own PC

Edited November 7, 2020 by upshot
Typo and clarify the context

[Guest Lenovo]

On 11/8/2020 at 3:06 AM, upshot said:

Your PSU might have died. Your power unit. Does your motherboard usually have lighting on it? Any form of lighting like LED or tiny lights. In any case, check if your electrical socket plug into your PC tower is securely plugged in. I have had many a time when I am told my colleagues PC can not start, quite a few times I crawl under their table to look at the power cable and I found that they kick the cable off or as they move their legs, shifted the PC and if the power cable is short, it gets loosen and over time just disconnect.

 

4-5yrs is old but if well maintain, can last another 2 yrs easy. If you sent in to Lenovo if you bought from them, expect to pay a premium for servicing it. PC are easier than notebooks to repair. I fix my own PCs for 30 yrs and I custom-build my own as well for high-end gaming computers. I can tell you that you do not need to bring to Lenovo for PC tower. You can bring this to Sim Lim Sq at the top two floors and get those shop to look into your PC to see what is wrong with it. 4-5 yrs is old and if you are running OS like Windows 10 I suspect it is slow and you are using it for very basic stuff like surfing the web and office  yes?

 

If you are not computer savvy, bring to Sim Lim Square to check it out. Might just need a part change. If the motherboard is fried. BUY A NEW SYSTEM if you can afford it. No need a high price one since you are so use to a 4-5 yrs old pc. If that is still fine for you, you do not need to buy a really powerful one that cost a lot.  If you are quite savvy, YouTube has a lot of video on how to check your system. Use that as a guide to check your own PC

Thanks upshot. But not sure exactly which shop is good. Cause I'm not expert in computer. Afraid will be scammed. I check on carousell too. I read a bit comments to choose which one is good. But still undecided and afraid will be scammed for smthg that I dont have a good knowledge with. 

[upshot]

4 hours ago, Guest Lenovo said:

Thanks upshot. But not sure exactly which shop is good. Cause I'm not expert in computer. Afraid will be scammed. I check on carousell too. I read a bit comments to choose which one is good. But still undecided and afraid will be scammed for smthg that I dont have a good knowledge with. 

I understand man...

 

If it is a power failure which is basically a PSU it is not expensive to replace. For me it is not hard to do this as I do that all the time over the year given I build my own PCs and as a gamer. But to have a shop do this or test you have to know how to swap it out after disengaging all the output cables which are like at least 10 points of contact. I guess they charge for a generic PSU unit at about $50 at best... for a 600watt.. I use much higher and pay a lot more for those i use as I have a 1,200 watt unit gold rate for about $300.. power user. Just to show you how much a different in price and why. The more component you have to power in your PC the higher watt you need. I use A LOT of USB cable to power a lot of stuff and high end component.

 

BUT if it is NOT the PSU that has died, then you are talking more pricey component replacement IF that is possible. If you are lucky you can find a motherboard for your CPU to sit on then you are fine to buy just a motherboard change by the shop. But if your CPU is older model and can not fit any newer motherboard today, you have to ALSO buy a CPU... so ya the cost add up unless you know what to change and do your own testing to find that out. So to a big extent you need to trust the shop  and paying a bit more is always the case if you have no tech know how. Some shop can give you an estimate but might charge you a fee to check your system. I think that is usually the case. They will later off set that deposit fee into your main bill or consider it a separate charge. Sim Lim Sq is your best bet as there are many there so pricing will be completive.

[upshot]

For the easiest way to change the basic.

 

Can you change to a new power cable to power the PC?  (to see if your cable has problem)

 

Then, with the power cable connect to the PC, flip the off/on button that is near the PSU inlet power socket you just insert the new cable socket. Now, press your usual power switch at the front as you normally do. Does your PC hum to life? Might come as a surprise to many, I have found cable in many times I was asked to check on my office PCs, that was the culprit. Females especially who like to kick about with PC cases under their desk, that over time they loosen the cable from the socket.. just enough to cause the system to shut down or worst hang the PC and short the board.

 

If not, look inside into the interior of your PC if it has a window that let you see inside, if not you might need to pee inside or open the side panel to look inside. Then see if you can see any tiny LEDs lights emitted from any part of the motherboard. If there is, power is fine. Likely your motherboard is fine but it does mean further examination is needed.

Edited December 4, 2020 by upshot

[upshot]

10 hours ago, upshot said:

For the easiest way to change the basic.

 

Can you change to a new power cable to power the PC?  (to see if your cable has problem)

 

Then, with the power cable connect to the PC, flip the off/on button that is near the PSU inlet power socket you just insert the new cable socket. Now, press your usual power switch at the front as you normally do. Does your PC hum to life? Might come as a surprise to many, I have found cable in many times I was asked to check on my office PCs, that was the culprit. Females especially who like to kick about with PC cases under their desk, that over time they loosen the cable from the socket.. just enough to cause the system to shut down or worst hang the PC and short the board.

 

If not, look inside into the interior of your PC if it has a window that let you see inside, if not you might need to pee inside or open the side panel to look inside. Then see if you can see any tiny LEDs lights emitted from any part of the motherboard. If there is, power is fine. Likely your motherboard is fine but it does mean further examination is needed.

 

Okay.. further to this.... there are certain components that can be re-used from your old system to save you some cash but do not expect any change in speed and also how old are those components. Can save a bit of money IF THE OLDER parts are compatible to fit newer motherboard.  Compatibility issue can be a pain as tech upgrade to newer model very quickly thereby obsoleting some so fast, you might have to throw it and get new ones too. This is because some of them take a technological jump and a RAM slot is changed and not be unusable with old rams...etc But you have to know which one if not shop owner can BS you to upgrade parts when the old one will do.

 

Also WINDOWS can be a pain if your OLD PC comes with an OEM Window OS.. that means, it dies with your old PC and become invalid. You can not use it on your new PC even with series number. And when I say new I do not only mean a new PC but if you change the motherboard and any vital parts, Windows when it goes online, it will 'PHONE HOME' and compare specs of the PC and if it finds out there is a new motherboard, ram, CPU..etc It will deem your WINDOWS OS as Not licenced version. You think registering online of your software just means it send your CD key code? It also spies on your PC hardwares and note down all the MAC numbers of certain core components and use that like a biometric signature to recognise your PC to that Windows product series number.

 

UNLESS YOU bought a RETAIL BOX version. Retail version can be reinstalled again and again to each new PC you upgrade to. But if you bought the Lenovo with a given free OEM version. You can not transfer that. You can try to contact Microsoft to see if they will give you a new Licence key code.. if not, get ready another $142 for a new OEM or $250 for a Retail box.. I think. I have not bought one in years so might be different given Window10 is very difference now. If the shop help you install a pirated one. I can not help you with that. I use original retails versions on all my PCs.

 

I am telling you this and about component change to get you ready to see if extra cost and trouble to fixed it, would it be better to buy a new PC instead.

 

If you are happy with the speed of your old one and do not mind it, maybe buying an older model and cheap entry level basic PC might be a better option for you. You likely not change your monitor, mouse, keyboard, secondary HDDs...etc

 

If you can get me the details of your OLD PC's hardware spec, I can know if you have something worth upgrading or buy a new one. Your PC might be say 4 yrs old. But if you did not buy the latest and greatest 4 yrs ago, but a PC of basic entry level price, it is highly likely spec'ed with even older technology parts inside. Meaning your pc could have parts from 4-7 yrs ago. For example when I buy and fix my new PC, the parts I ordered are new tech that are fresh like 6 months or certain parts are considered high end components so has a longer performance shelve life and less likely to be obsolete soon. Hope you know what I mean.

 

ALSO, did you save or backup your data on another HDD separated from C:\ directory where Windows OS resides. Getting your HDD with data on another HDD to work on a newer PC is easier than one with Windows installed as that OS will not boot up to be read easily unless the shop help you convert or copy over. And I hope to GOD you did not have porn or your private selfie in sexy poses in your PC heheheheh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[feedersmiracle]

Is it worth running non activated windows?

[upshot]

6 hours ago, feedersmiracle said:

Is it worth running non activated windows?

Non activated?

 

If no CD key or code is entered for the Windows OS, it is only able to run for 30 days... after that it will not let you boot into Windows. That's as far as I know from the last time I had an issue with an office PC with Windows 7. Should still be the same response.

[Guest Lenovo]

On 12/5/2020 at 3:08 AM, upshot said:

 

Okay.. further to this.... there are certain components that can be re-used from your old system to save you some cash but do not expect any change in speed and also how old are those components. Can save a bit of money IF THE OLDER parts are compatible to fit newer motherboard.  Compatibility issue can be a pain as tech upgrade to newer model very quickly thereby obsoleting some so fast, you might have to throw it and get new ones too. This is because some of them take a technological jump and a RAM slot is changed and not be unusable with old rams...etc But you have to know which one if not shop owner can BS you to upgrade parts when the old one will do.

 

Also WINDOWS can be a pain if your OLD PC comes with an OEM Window OS.. that means, it dies with your old PC and become invalid. You can not use it on your new PC even with series number. And when I say new I do not only mean a new PC but if you change the motherboard and any vital parts, Windows when it goes online, it will 'PHONE HOME' and compare specs of the PC and if it finds out there is a new motherboard, ram, CPU..etc It will deem your WINDOWS OS as Not licenced version. You think registering online of your software just means it send your CD key code? It also spies on your PC hardwares and note down all the MAC numbers of certain core components and use that like a biometric signature to recognise your PC to that Windows product series number.

 

UNLESS YOU bought a RETAIL BOX version. Retail version can be reinstalled again and again to each new PC you upgrade to. But if you bought the Lenovo with a given free OEM version. You can not transfer that. You can try to contact Microsoft to see if they will give you a new Licence key code.. if not, get ready another $142 for a new OEM or $250 for a Retail box.. I think. I have not bought one in years so might be different given Window10 is very difference now. If the shop help you install a pirated one. I can not help you with that. I use original retails versions on all my PCs.

 

I am telling you this and about component change to get you ready to see if extra cost and trouble to fixed it, would it be better to buy a new PC instead.

 

If you are happy with the speed of your old one and do not mind it, maybe buying an older model and cheap entry level basic PC might be a better option for you. You likely not change your monitor, mouse, keyboard, secondary HDDs...etc

 

If you can get me the details of your OLD PC's hardware spec, I can know if you have something worth upgrading or buy a new one. Your PC might be say 4 yrs old. But if you did not buy the latest and greatest 4 yrs ago, but a PC of basic entry level price, it is highly likely spec'ed with even older technology parts inside. Meaning your pc could have parts from 4-7 yrs ago. For example when I buy and fix my new PC, the parts I ordered are new tech that are fresh like 6 months or certain parts are considered high end components so has a longer performance shelve life and less likely to be obsolete soon. Hope you know what I mean.

 

ALSO, did you save or backup your data on another HDD separated from C:\ directory where Windows OS resides. Getting your HDD with data on another HDD to work on a newer PC is easier than one with Windows installed as that OS will not boot up to be read easily unless the shop help you convert or copy over. And I hope to GOD you did not have porn or your private selfie in sexy poses in your PC heheheheh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sat, I brought my tower to PC Theme at Sim Lin after searched through hardwarezone forum. After been hospitalised for a day, they called me back saying that they cant test my tower cause different pin in the power box. So I brought back today. They told me to bring to Lenovo repair center. I think I would just throw it away. Luckily did save important data when I reformatted my computer a while ago. I dont think I will buy a new one or find way to repair it. I think the cost for repair wont be cheap eventhough not sure what happened to it. Very tired carrying the tower. I still have my old laptop. Lenovo also. Next time dont buy Lenovo already. 

[upshot]

2 hours ago, Guest Lenovo said:

On Sat, I brought my tower to PC Theme at Sim Lin after searched through hardwarezone forum. After been hospitalised for a day, they called me back saying that they cant test my tower cause different pin in the power box. So I brought back today. They told me to bring to Lenovo repair center. I think I would just throw it away. Luckily did save important data when I reformatted my computer a while ago. I dont think I will buy a new one or find way to repair it. I think the cost for repair wont be cheap eventhough not sure what happened to it. Very tired carrying the tower. I still have my old laptop. Lenovo also. Next time dont buy Lenovo already. 

Sorry to hear you found no solution to salvage your PC man.

 

But I am glad you were mindful enough to do backing up of your data. I always advocate that people NEVER EVER put their data on the same HDD as their Windows 7 8 10.  To do so is to invite a lot of problems if you are not tech or window OS savvy.

 

I suspect I know what happen to yours but you can not solve it without going back to LENOVO to get their PROPRIETARY PSU. This is common and selfish practices of branded company that make complete PC or Notebooks. They will use their own parts instead of OEM or even branded or reliable OEM parts just to make sure you go back to them to buy the spare parts and service with them so they can over charge you. So I would not be surprise if you brought it to Lenovo, that new PSU might be a few hundred. And something similar can cost like $50. What they do is change the pin configurations or cabling route so you can not go buy generic parts to repair.

 

Just some information on the industry practices.. 

 

Anyway.. good you found an alternative decision to solve your issue.

[Guest Hard disk]

Actually PCs seem to have hardware problems much earlier nowadays... 2 of my Dell showing hard disk issues just after 2 1/2 years... My first Dell from 2005 on Windows still running, just can’t run much on it, but the models after 2017 all seem to have hard disk issues... Either it’s planned from Dell or the reliability has decreased?

 

regular back up advised!