Laptop Clean and Dust Out Service

SORRY: We do NOT repair Dead Laptops and we do NOT usually perform any major laptop repair services!

New Laptops - Advice - We do not sell laptops

Laptop Software/Windows Support - $80 per hour
 (+$20 call-out fee if required)

If your laptop or notebook computer is running slow, if it has Windows errors or program/software issues then give Aussie PC Fix a call and we will help you solve these problems. We support nearly all version of Windows and Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc) and can also help with network setup and wireless for notebooks.

Laptops are very similar to desktop PCs from a software (program/Windows) point of view - so all our MS Windows and other software help and tech support services also apply to laptops. As well many other of our Canberra computer services apply to laptop computers.

Laptop Hardware Upgrades

Memory / RAM

Aussie PC Fix keeps the most popular laptop memory / RAM types on hand and can source most older types if required. Increasing the memory of a laptop is one one of the easiest and quickest upgrades and can usually significatnly boost the speed of your laptop if it's running low on RAM.

Laptop memory is much smaller in size and also more expensive than their desktop memory counterparts. All notebook memory is called SO-DIMM RAM (Small outline dual in-line memory module random access memory!) as opposed to a desktop memory module which is simply called a DIMM.

Newer laptops will take SO-DIMM DDR2 memory, while older ones take SO-DIMM DDR1 (or simply SO-DIMM DDR), but laptops can also be more picky than desktop computers about the speed of the RAM, e.g. 333/400MHz DDR1, or 533/667+MHz DDR2.

Also, much older laptops might take SO-DIMM SD-RAM 100/133MHz which may be ordered on request but if your laptop is that old then it may not really be worth upgrading.

Popular laptop RAM sizes are 512MB and 1GB (1024MB), and even 256MB for some older DDR1 laptops. Older DDR1 laptops may only take 1GB or even 512MB maximum.

Some newer laptops may only take 2GB maximum but better and more current/recent laptops usually take up to 4GB total (2x2GB).

Laptop memory is easily upgraded and we will install our RAM for just $40 when you drop off to Latham or while onsite with any other service. (Onsite install costs our usual minimum of 1 hour for $80 + call-out fee of $20)

Hard Disk Drives

Most laptops take 2.5" (two-and-a-half inch) disk drives which are a full inch smaller than their desktop cousins. These are usually easily upgraded or replaced and we can also copy your old drive on the spot.

There is a small fee of $40 for drive installation, plus if onsite a $40 fee applies for extra time needed to wait to copy your old drive or data across to the new drive.

If your hard disk drive is damaged or you have missing files, then you may need our specialist data recovery services.

Popular laptop hard disk sizes are 160GB, 250GB and 320GB running at 5400rpm (revolutions per minute). Faster 7200RPM 2.5" drives are available but are much more expensive. Some laptops come standard with only 4800RPM drives and are easily upgraded for fast access speeds.

Other Laptop Upgrades

Besides RAM and HDD ugrades Aussie PC Fix only perform other minor laptop upgrades such as replacing laptop keyboards and adding internal Mini PCI wireless cards (or setup of USB/PC Card Wireless).

We no longer upgrade or replace:
Laptop processors/CPUs, graphics cards, DVD/CD drives, or LCDs
(Except one LCD left in stock: Dell 9300 17" WXGA+ LCD with Inverter $248)

Replacement Keyboards, Power Adaptors, Batteries, LCD Screens
- Installation and Repair Services are available as listed

Is your laptop running hot? Maybe 2cm + thick of dust is the cause?!

Clean and Dust Out Service - $240

Laptops can be more susceptible to failure than desktops caused by dust, dirt and hair, because of the small size of enclosure for all the laptop parts. Laptops can also be easily transported outside to dusty environments which can wreak havoc on your laptop or notebook's cooling system.

Although several models have major airflow design flaws, most do have a very good cooling system for their size but when the fans or airways get clogged, overheating can occur very quickly.

Overheating the laptop usually causes Windows to crash and turns off the laptop, but the problem should be fixed as soon as possible to prevent heat damage to the expensive laptop components. A processor/CPU usually has a thermal cut-off point which cuts power to the laptop at a certain temperature, but this doesn't always work and not all laptop processors have the feature.

The laptop in the picture above had a layer of dust about 2x1.5x10cm thick stuck in its fan cooler's vent leaving no airflow which was causing overheating.

The laptop crashed every few minutes, but once the laptop was cleaned out from this dirt and other dust, and the noisy fan replaced, the laptop was back to normal. (Well it did need a severe spyware clean up too!)

Clean out services for laptops cost $240 but we cannot guarantee that your motherboard, cpu or other components are not already damaged if symptoms include laptop overheating or crashing.

Laptops will need to be in for repair service for at least 3 days for full clean out, or longer if any parts need to be ordered such as rare fan designs or heatsink assemblies. It is best if we test the laptop for at least a day after cleaning to confirm all fans are working to their best efficiency and are cooling the computer properly.

Laptop Major Hardware Repair and Dead Laptops
$160 diagnosis unless listed above + $160-$320 for repair.

Aussie PC Fix no longer usually repair laptops with power issues, graphic card or lcd display problems. We will accept this work on a case by case basis but total cost for repair is $320 minimum for labour.

Troubleshooting hardware problems with laptops is a time intensive process and we must charge $160 diagnosis for our time spent to find the problem regardless of the outcome.

We can obtain and replace most power adapters and batteries for laptops but do not usually fix power or other faults.

If your laptop powers on and displays a message, error or picture on the lcd screen then the laptop may have a disk, memory or overheating problem and there is a better chance of a successful repair for you.

If your laptop does not power on at all (no lights or fans) or lights show a power error then we are happy to attempt diagnosis for you, but we cannot guarantee the problem will be economically repairable, especially if a new motherboard is required.

If Windows does not start up, has random errors or crashing then we will test your laptop for any hardware faults. We can test your laptop with replacement RAM or HDD and test your hardware without loading your install of Windows to isolate the problem. We will stress test and/or replace the individual hardware parts to troubleshoot and identify the faulty component for replacement.

If the laptop is usually error free for a while after first starting up for the day, then crashing starts to occur and repeats, it may be that the laptop is overheating. If, after the first crash, further crashes occur more frequently then this may be because the laptop is already warm or hot so overheating will more easily occur.

Contacting your manufacturer is usually the best option when major hardware repairs are needed, though this can often take weeks or months. If you'd still like us to diagnose and troubleshoot your dead laptop, or a laptop with a power problem, we will charge $160 upfront for approximately 2-3 hours of diagnosis. Total labour charge will be at least $320 in total plus any parts cost.

It is very important to back up your data before returning any computer to the manufacturer because in most cases they will format (wipe) your hard drive during service. Please book a backup service if you need help to properly and safely back up your data if you are returning it to the manufacturer.

New Laptops... currently we do not sell laptops!

Free advice on buying a new laptop

Currently Aussie PC Fix does not sell laptop or notebook computers, but please check out our desktop systems for sale which are much more powerful, cheaper, and easier to upgrade and repair, although not as portable!

We usually recommend HP/Compaq for best value for money (cheap or mid-range). Buying from somewhere like Dick Smith you can add a 3-year warranty for about $170 which is worth the investment.

Dell also make some decent laptops but be careful with your configuration options. Recommended is a 3 year warranty, but this can be pricey.

For higher performance model laptops we usually recommend high end models of the above brands or an Asus model with at least 2 year warranty as standard. Sony also make some top laptops though they can be very expensive.

With all computers, including laptops, it depends on the particular model, its specifications, and warranty, which all compete for value for money. Sticking with the popular brands above, and some others such as Toshiba, you will get spare parts for a much better price further down the track when you need them.

We can give you expert advice on what laptop model to buy to best suit your needs and budget for our hourly fee.

Some quick advice is to avoid the Celeron models unless the purchase price is very low, but they are great throwaway and portable PCs. Also note that Pentium M and Pentium 4 models are now outdated and this should be reflected in the price paid. Core Duo and Core 2 Duo featuring Dual Core (two) processors are your best bets - this includes the Centrino branding (not to be confused with the Celeron budget processor!).

If your new laptop is running slow and has Vista, it is likely that a memory upgrade will help get you back to speed! For Vista you should get at least 2GB, with 3 or 4 GB even better as Vista will happily use it!