Hi and thanks ahead for reading this!
I've had my Sony VAIO for almost 4 years and it has been an awesome computer. I really thought it would last forever!
Last week when I was booting it up I heard one long beep, followed by two short beeps. After which the computer turned on as normal, except the screen was black and would not turn on.
I did a little research and discovered that those beeps are basically code for "video card failed to initiate."
The interesting part is, every other aspect of the computer still works. I use an app on my phone (GMote) which allows me to access and play media files from the laptop. So as long as I'm connected to the network, I can use Gmote to play music/video (with no monitor of course.)
Even when hooking up an external monitor via HDMI, there is no response.
I realize that the video card is integrated with the motherboard is there is a slim chance of replacing/repairing it on my own. VAIO customer support wants $450 to fix it (if they even can.)
Well, I could buy a brand new laptop for that price which would probably meet or exceed the specs on this one. So that is kind of pointless.
Before I gave up and shelled out some money for a new laptop I wanted to reach out and see if anyone could give me any advice, or perhaps some trick to fixing it.
For example: is it possible to network in to my computer (VPN?) And run it remotely from another laptop or something? Basically my Vaio was my HTPC and that was its sole purpose (besides some other, minor program running.) If I could somehow revive this functionality...
Maybe its a pipe dream and I should suck it up and buy a new one. But the computer was so good to me I feel like I should fight for it a little bit!
Thoughts?
Thanks again.
SPECS:
Sony VAIO
Windows 7
2.4GHz Core 2 Duo
NVidia GT 800 M
3GB RAM
mfc: 5/2008
I've had my Sony VAIO for almost 4 years and it has been an awesome computer. I really thought it would last forever!
Last week when I was booting it up I heard one long beep, followed by two short beeps. After which the computer turned on as normal, except the screen was black and would not turn on.
I did a little research and discovered that those beeps are basically code for "video card failed to initiate."
The interesting part is, every other aspect of the computer still works. I use an app on my phone (GMote) which allows me to access and play media files from the laptop. So as long as I'm connected to the network, I can use Gmote to play music/video (with no monitor of course.)
Even when hooking up an external monitor via HDMI, there is no response.
I realize that the video card is integrated with the motherboard is there is a slim chance of replacing/repairing it on my own. VAIO customer support wants $450 to fix it (if they even can.)
Well, I could buy a brand new laptop for that price which would probably meet or exceed the specs on this one. So that is kind of pointless.
Before I gave up and shelled out some money for a new laptop I wanted to reach out and see if anyone could give me any advice, or perhaps some trick to fixing it.
For example: is it possible to network in to my computer (VPN?) And run it remotely from another laptop or something? Basically my Vaio was my HTPC and that was its sole purpose (besides some other, minor program running.) If I could somehow revive this functionality...
Maybe its a pipe dream and I should suck it up and buy a new one. But the computer was so good to me I feel like I should fight for it a little bit!
Thoughts?
Thanks again.
SPECS:
Sony VAIO
Windows 7
2.4GHz Core 2 Duo
NVidia GT 800 M
3GB RAM
mfc: 5/2008