P34wv3 Lower hinge has sheared... repairable ?

Hi

The lower hinge on my P34w v3has separated from the shell/case. I normally power the laptop on and leave it shut as I connect to an external monitor, but this morning I come in to find that the hinge has sheared from the lower case on the right hand side.

At the moment, it is still working. I've just looked up the purchase details - I bought it in February 2015 so I am outside Gigabyte Warranty Repair (funny that)

If it is "bodge-able" - I may try, but it has currently lost its portability, which was one of the key reasons I bought it, that and it being reasonably light.

I am at this stage wondering what my options are. Replacement will be an insurance claim, as although I bought it when I was working I am currently unemployed (also signed off sick). I am also concerned now as to its reliability given that one hinge has popped, is the other likely to go, and will this cause further problems, i.e Screen failure?

advice please...

 

Post a picture so that we can better asses the damage.

 

I suspect from these pics it is not repairable. Unless I can re-case it, which would be a VERY long shot.

 

Yes, the plastic has broken off the device. The only real way I can see it being fixed is if you order a new palm-rest and transplant the whole device in it. Not sure if that's worth the hassle or risk.

 

I can build PCs but transplanting a laptop is beyond me. I guess I shall be calling my insurance company tomorrow.... I'm not in any rush but at the same time, I'm not 100% convinced it is going to last either...

 

The screw post are broken off the C face and if you don't feel comfortable to swap it yourself you could still take it to local computer shop for the replacement.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N915A using Tapatalk

 

Is that something they would be able to source parts for? I ask becayse Gigabyte were a bit stroppy about me asking for a lower plastic tray when I broke mine. I ended up waiting very patiently for one to come up on ebay.

I have reputable place that has fixed my phone screen and my PS3 in the past. I shall ask them.

 

Unless it's one of the Clevo-made Gigabytes (there are a few and I can't remember which) any place you asked might end up having the same issue getting parts.

 

Well I have asked the question (email) and will take it in for them to look at when they get back to me.

 

Check taobao or aliexpress. Spareparts are far more common there. I saw some Gigabyte parts there in the past. BUt recently I only buy laptops with a good parts supply chain to prevent issues.

 

Including distributors willing to supply the parts they can get. That's a problem I've run into, there are plenty of parts but no one will sell one to an end user.

 

If you don't really use the hinge/case except to open it to turn on the laptop and you can solder, maybe it would be cheaper to just add an external power button that doesn't require opening the lid? This guy did it for the razer blade http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...mod-pcie-3-0-lid-mod-power-button-mod.773520/ . I don't know if you could get someone at a shop to do this for you, but at least there's not really any parts to source.

 

mm that's a thought, I will ask when I take it in. Thanks for the tip

 

Minor Update: Been in touch with Gigabyte, they've in turn put me in touch with their UK repairers (after a bit of to and fro) and am waiting on a quote to fix it.

Meanwhile somebody flogged a nice clean one on ebay:



I didn't buy it, but If the repair quote is more than my insurance excess, I'd consider replacing it. I can always sell the remains and recoup SOME costs.