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    Is it time for a new laptop?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Meriwether_R, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. Meriwether_R

    Meriwether_R Newbie

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    I own a VGN-FE690G. I think it will turn 6 this year. I have already done some upgrades in the past couple of years: hard drive, ram, OS, etc. But now it seems as though my video card (an NVIDIA. I don't remember the model) is going out. The video out ports no longer work, and I'm getting a green, pixelated screen much of the time. First of all, does this sound like the video card. Second, if so, would it be best to just buy a new notebook? My computer tech guy claimed I would need a new motherboard if I replace the video card, which sounds expensive.
     
    Meriwether_R, Jan 17, 2012
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  2. Louche

    Louche Purveyor of Utopias

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    Q. Is it time for a new laptop?

    A. Yes.
     
    Louche, Jan 17, 2012
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  3. irishsumo

    irishsumo Notebook Consultant

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    6 years old? Yeah, I'd say it isn't really worth fixing anymore! Seriously though, those symptoms do sound like the video card is dying, which would usually mean a new mobo in laptops, as unlike desktops, GPUs are normally soldered to the mobo. Another consideration is that even if it is fixable, that is an old machine so parts would be fairly scarce and possibly expensive and you can pick up new machines with many times the capabilities and battery life of that one for a decent price. I myself have a laptop turning 10 this year, another turning 8... as well as more modern machines - I love the old ones but wouldn't fix them if broken for more than a nominal fee (i.e. next to nothing!). Good luck!
     
    irishsumo, Jan 17, 2012
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  4. shurcooL

    shurcooL Notebook Deity

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    Yeah, it's better for you to get a new laptop.

    Based on the specs I've found, your laptop has Intel GMA 950 graphics, not Nvidia.
     
    shurcooL, Jan 17, 2012
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  5. lovelaptops

    lovelaptops MY FRIENDS CALL ME JEFF!

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    Agree with new laptop as a "must." There are $400 new 15.6" laptops that will run circles around this one.

    Correction: the FE did come with a nVidia 7400 and 128mb (I had to check carefully to be sure it wasn't 128K!) of ram of some kind as reviewed by NBR here
     
    lovelaptops, Jan 17, 2012
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  6. Meriwether_R

    Meriwether_R Newbie

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    Right. It was a custom built one. I think that may be what the "G" at the end of the model number means. I have a "Graphics by NVIDIA" sticker. I think I started with a gig of RAM.
     
    Meriwether_R, Jan 18, 2012
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