It's A Good Day, and I Feel So Smart!

[MikeBjerum]

I know that I am outdated and obsolete, but I played computer mechanic today and saved myself $600!

Keep in mind that I am an old shade tree mechanic that is better at mixing and matching small block chevy parts, and I can change unipoints and set the dwell while sitting at a red light while cruising Central and not slow traffic 

On a flight to Las Vegas last month a clown trying to stuff a week's worth of luggage in the overhead bin cracked the monitor on my laptop.  I watched and heard him banging on the bags, the stewardess told him it wouldn't fit and it needed to be checked, but he finally got it in.  Later in the day in my nice room at Mandalay Bay I found that my computer monitor was cracked - It appears that the power cord transformer was pushed so hard it negated the padding and flexed the lid enough to do it in.

I talked to a few of my favorite geeks, and they all told me it either wasn't available, or if they could get one from Dell between the cost and the labor it would be just as cheep to by a new laptop ... not including transferring of content.  Our internet dude was here, and I mentioned it to him.  He informed me that he broke his, he found one on ebay for $100, and it took him ten minutes to swap out.  Hmmmmmm.

I did a youtube search on how to change the screen, and the second video on the list was very good.  I checked the company out, and it looked good.  Five minutes to get it out, a couple minutes to recheck and make sure I ordered the correct one (LCD or CCFL backlit), and ten minutes to put the new one in and restart the puter.

$108.21 for the screen, including second day air shipping (they sent me a set of tools at no charge - they charge $10 to buy them), and 25 minutes of work time.

Did I mention that even with these old ape hands it still works?

If you need a new screen for your laptop PM me, and I'll let you know a good place to deal with.

[jaybet]

Just proves that you can train a monkey to do anything.

[MikeBjerum]

Wanna see me never get invited back to speak to a group?  That is exactly what I say when talking about the importance of service in our industry.  I tell them, from students to retirees, that you can train a monkey to do 95% of what we do.  It is how we do the other 5% that matters!  Professionals don't like hearing that they aren't as indispensable as they think.