Question:

I’ve heard my laptop has a bad nVidia Graphics Chip. What does this mean?

Answer:

The images you see on your computer when playing video games, editing photos or movies, or even just surfing the web, are all made possible by your graphics chip. Without it, you can kiss any enjoyable/productive/gainful computer times goodbye. If you notice your screen has been freezing, flickering, showing a bad resolution, or in extreme cases, has gone completely black, you may have a bad graphics chip. The good news is if you have an nVidia chipset issue, you’re not alone. The bad news is that the problem is a difficult one to fix. The graphics chip in question is soldered directly onto the motherboard, the part of your laptop that holds your memory, processor, and all the circuits that make it go. Because of a fault in production, some nVidia based chipsets (especially in Macbooks) tend to overheat and cause the motherboard to warp, ever so slightly, and the chips attached to it to start peeling off. Once this happens, the only real fix is to replace the motherboard. Some laptop manufacturers have actually recognized this issue and are offering warranty service or motherboard replacement free of charge, so contact your manufacturer to find out more. If that’s not an option, we can perform a micro-solder fix on your motherboard that could keep it running for years, or months. Since this is not something we recommend, we currently don’t offer any warranties on these jobs. It’s a last-chance operation, and doesn’t resolve the core issue, making the problem likely to come back.

As long as you want your laptop to remain functional, it’s important that your graphics chip is in tip-top shape. Fortunately for you, here at Laptop MD+, we wield tiny screwdrivers with unparalleled grace and expertise and can get your motherboard replaced in no time. Learn more about your graphics chip and request a completely free quote here. We’ll get your computer up and running again before you have time to despair!

Question:

I spilled some coffee on my keyboard and now some of the keys are stuck. How do I fix it?

Answer:

Ah, the ubiquitous coffee-spill scenario. It happens to the best of us. We see this kind of thing enough that we have an emergency protocol for this catastrophe locked and loaded. Immediately after spillage, unplug your computer and remove the battery. Turn your computer upside down to allow the liquid to drain out. If your keyboard is still a little sticky after all is said and done, it’s safe to say that there’s still some substance inside your keyboard, which can cause damage a little more serious than a sticky Q button. You can use alcohol pads to gently wipe the keyboard to get rid of most residual stickyness. If you’re up to it, you can even pry up the keys and wipe underneath, but we wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re confident in your abilities: those keys can be a pain to put back on.

Even if you think you’ve managed to drain all the liquid from your computer, bring it on in and we’ll take a look just to make sure. We’ve taken to calling ourselves the “Spill Damage Professionals” around here. Impressed? If you’ve had a recent or not-so-recent spill, we’ll diagnose any lingering issues for free, and make any repairs if need be.

Question:

I broke my Verizon iPhone 4 Screen. Can I replace it with a screen for the ATT one?

Answer:

The short answer to this question is no. There are several slight differences between the Verizon iPhone 4 and the AT&T iPhone 4, so the glass screens are not identical and thus not interchangeable. The problem lies in the chips that AT&T and Verizon use to connect to their cell networks. Since they use two different networks, the chips used are slightly different, and the internal circuitry has to be moved around to accommodate these differences. However, with the release of the iPhone 4S, Apple has combined the capability to use both networks on one chipset, making the parts interchangeable. So while you can’t use a screen from the AT&T iPhone 4 on the Verizon iPhone 4, you can swap the iPhone 4S screens at will.

Fixing an iPhone can be a bit tedious, especially if you’re dealing with Apple’s long lines and restrictive repair policies. Here at LaptopMD+, we pride ourselves in being iPhone repair experts. And, you don’t need an appointment with us to get an iPhone repair. Just walk in whenever we’re open, we’ll diagnose your problem for free, and we’ll have your iPhone looking and working good as new in less than 30 minutes. Skip the waiting and red tape, and come see why we’re the most trusted iPhone repair shop in NYC. Or stay tuned. We’re working on releasing a video series on all the cool things you can do with your iPhone.

Question:

My Windows runs slow, how do I speed it up?

Answer:

There is little in the world that’s more frustrating than your computer moving at the speed of sloth while you’re on the run. There are a number of different factors that may be affecting the speed of your computer, and fortunately, most of these issues can be cleared up in a few simple steps. First off, are you an E-hoarder? Over time, your computer can become cluttered with unnecessary files and stored information. Use the Add/Remove Programs feature in the control pannel to safely and completely remove programs you haven’t used in a while. Next, try to limit the number of programs you have running at once. Do you really need Photoshop, MovieMaker, and your latest video game quest all open at the same time? If not, close out of as many as you can. Even if you aren’t opening the programs yourself, Windows might be opening them every time you start your computer. Here’s how to make sure only the programs you need start every time your computer does:

1. Click on the start icon
2. click in the “search for programs and files” box
3. type in “msconfig” and hit enter
4. in the tab labeled Startup, go through and uncheck any programs that are starting that you don’t need or use. You can always start them manually when you need them, so don’t hesitate to go uncheck-crazy

If you do have the need to have multiple programs running at once or you’ve closed everything and your PC is still crawling, maybe it’s time to upgrade your computer’s processor and RAM. The computer engineers at LaptopMD+ can look at your computer and, based on your needs, we can recommend a new computer processor which will help you perform at the most efficient level. We’d love to help you and your laptop get back into the fast lane. Submit a quote request and one of our managers will get right back to you with a completely free quote. Also, we give an in-depth, step-by-step guide on tidying up your computer here.

Question:

My computer is overheating and I think there may be a problem with the fan. I bought a cooling device to place underneath the computer, however, the computer still overheats. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: It sounds like your fan is not working properly. Cooling devices can assist your laptop but can't get close to doing the same kind of job as the internal fan does. I'd suggest bringing your laptop in and we can run some diagnostics and replace the fan for you if necessary.

The issue may also be a dust blockup inside the fan. If you have a can of compressed air, trying puffing some air directly into the fan and remove the blockage. If this does not help, we can take a look to see if it is a more serious issue.

Have a Question for Doctor Z? Email doctorz [at] laptopmd [dot] com and we'll help you out!