Topic: My laptop is falling apart

[Ghandi]

So my Dell laptop is falling apart. I'm linking the image because I was too lazy to resize it: Computer

Basically the screen (which is two sections put together) is starting to split apart. I know that a few people on here own Dell laptops - this is an Inspiron 6000. I've kind of been ignoring the problem but it's started to progressively get worse. Does anyone know any way to fix it / lessen the splitting? I already screwed everything tight and it helped some but not much.

[Ghandi]

You people are so freakin worthless.

[Quemaqua]

Your mistake?  Buying a Dell.  Sorry man, I don't have any answers for you.

[Ghandi]

Well, I didn't buy it but it's worked out well for me so far. No real complaints other than this, which is partially due to my not taking care of it properly.

Anyways, I didn't really expect anyone to have a concrete answer, since I don't really think that there is one.

[idolminds]

I'd probably just get some epoxy or E6000 type glue in there, clamp it closed until it sets, and just go until it breaks.

[scottws]

I don't really understand what the problem is.  Is it broke?  Can't you just snap it back together?

[Ghandi]

No, it doesn't snap back together Scott. It's almost like it's warping apart.

Yeah Idol, I that's what I was thinking, I just wasn't sure if there was a particular kind of glue that I should be using. I don't want to completely fuck up my machine.

[scottws]

Warping?  Weird.

[Quemaqua]

Does it get hot?  Heat can warp plastic, though I didn't get any warping even in my desktop replacement that got so hot it burned a hole in the motherboard, so I can't imagine that's the cause.

[Ghandi]

Yeah, it gets really hot, mostly when I am playing games. The metal parts near the back bottom get hot enough sometimes to burn me if I touch them. I'm thinking that something happened with the screws holding this corner in so that they don't properly fit in anymore.

[Quemaqua]

If it gets that hot, it could well be why it's warping, though who knows why it cracked to begin with.  If you do try to fix it with some kind of glue or resin, make sure the stuff can handle the heat.

[scottws]

After reading the whole thread I have come to my conclusion:  duct tape.

Seriously, that's pretty messed up.  Have you tried contacting Dell?

[Ghandi]

Have you tried contacting Dell?

Heh, I'm tring not to spend a lot of money.

But yeah, thanks for the help. I'm going to look into some glue or something. I'll probably just end up living with it and hoping it doesn't get worse...which hasn't worked well so far.

[Quemaqua]

Duct tape might not be the worst bet.  I mean, if nothing else, try *something*.

[Ghandi]

Duct tape is a great idea. In order to get any sort of tightening I would have to wrap it around the side of my screen. I would much rather do that than nothing.

But yeah, I'll probably end up getting some glue or something. It's at the point now where, if it gets any worse, I won't be able to twist my computer open.

[Quemaqua]

Your laptop would look so sexy with duct tape, though!  Think of how silver and shiny.

[Cobra951]

Do they make C-clamps small enough?  One or 2 for long times + the heat might reshape the piece(s) to being closer together.  I'd be afraid of gluing anything.  Duct tape seems so . . . Red Green.

[Ghandi]

Reading through this thread again brings back memories...

It never warped, the screws just failed. Whenever I open the laptop, the screen pushes against the bottom half of the laptop and it causes stress on the outside of the screen, which is plastic. The plastic has stressed and become curved because of this. The screws eventually became stripped and now don't fit.

Don't know if this is an error on my end or Dell's, though I tend to blame Dell just because I hate them.