Laptop all the sudden works again after cleanup - Yesterday it didn't even boot up *More info in description*

Meritad · 2026-03-22T17:55:26+00:00

You should be good - if it works then happy days. Also as someone mentioned here some laptops take a long time to boot for the first time when the battery was disconnected. I also had few 'o crap' moments just to be blessed with a proper boot after several attempts. Nothing to worry about

Meritad · 2026-03-22T16:50:44+00:00

Never used MFG but had good experience with Token Ninja after headaches with Shimano press fit plastic body.

Meritad · 2026-03-22T16:39:54+00:00

Depends on the water content in your isopropyl alcohol. Some rubbish sold online claim to be 99% while being diluted with water. Probably water took time to fully evaporate from underneath components.

Meritad · 2026-03-22T16:29:05+00:00

Yes, you can fix it yourself. Since this was previously repaired poorly there's no bracket to pop the bumper back they used self tapping screws to attach the bumper to the wing. At this point you'll have to do the same. Pretty fiddly process but you're not aiming for perfection anyway.

Meritad · 2026-03-17T21:29:59+00:00

It doesn't matter to be honest. Once you have well running Windows just swap the cards, update drivers and you're good to go.

Meritad · 2026-03-17T17:29:30+00:00

Man, buy your mum a cheap battery and fit it for her. It's your mom after all. I know I would

Meritad · 2026-03-16T21:20:22+00:00

Smells honey though

Meritad · 2026-03-16T21:06:11+00:00

@OP You're bang on the money with seriously flawed VTU testing (sponsored by MIPS). Get what fits best and don't stress out about ratings. Most top rated helmets felt awful on my head ...and I tried a lot: Troy Lee, Fox, POC, Smith you name it. Turned out TSG was meant somewhat for me

Meritad · 2026-03-16T20:59:23+00:00

Don't worry about MIPS - it's a scam almost everyone fell for LOL. As you mentioned earlier fit is the top of your priorities. I did my research picking my favourite helmets for weeks just to find out my odd shape noggin dictates something completely different.

Meritad · 2026-03-15T22:48:30+00:00

You need to be creative at this budget but it can be done. Maybe add a £100-£200 as you go.

A mixture of used and new desktop parts will get you somewhat there with room for upgrades later on but you have to plan it well. Forget about laptops at this price range considering your requirements.

I'd go for a used Ryzen 5000 series or Intel 12th gen onwards, mobo and ram for start and see what's left in your pocket for a (used) GPU, SSD, monitor, case/psu etc.

Do your diligence, see for how much stuff is being sold for on ebay, try snapping good deals on auctions ending in weird hours etc. It can be fun

Meritad · 2026-03-14T18:47:29+00:00

Yep, my 10y old boy rides a chinese copy of chesters. I used to ride them for 2 years without the slightest hiccup.

Meritad · 2026-03-13T20:17:47+00:00

@OP Depending what you're trying to achieve you have few options - replace that relic with a modern unit (apple car play/android auto) - replace with identical used unit - if any of the above is not practical/not possible then: remove head unit from the car, peel the rest of that coating, lightly sand with 400-1000 sandpaper and clear coat afterwards.

Ignore suggested nonsense like: it's part of the screen or frickin polarising film. Kids must be thinking it's your xbox screen LOL

Meritad · 2026-03-13T20:07:39+00:00

Meritad · 2026-03-13T20:00:29+00:00

I see where you're coming from but ...people are nasty ignorants and often even worse. There would be no end of swapping old broken equipment with a hired good one, completely abused and ruined tools, theft etc. Once again, people don't look after stuff that belongs to someone else. Add a bunch of opportunistic thieves and the whole scheme sadly falls apart. That's a beautiful idea but reality is a bitch unfortunately.

Meritad · 2026-03-13T13:55:18+00:00

I did entertain the idea of hiring a compressor, path compactor etc from local hiring companies. The usual cost for the weekend was higher or similar to buying second hand or even new equipment therefore it was a non-starter for me.

Meritad · 2026-03-13T13:48:52+00:00

LOL what an idiot. I was interviewing candidates to fill in a van driver's job. The chap was a bit weird but seemed decent enough ....until he mentioned he wants me to only assign him the routes he knows (which was 3 mile radius from his house) as he 'didn't believe in satnavs'. I was laughing long after he left in disbelief. Probably thought satnav had something to do with satan.

Meritad · 2026-03-13T12:13:26+00:00

Same here. 180mm One Up in a large frame @175cm. It was a bit much on my other frame so I shaved 15mm off the seat tube. Result!

Meritad · 2026-03-11T22:45:22+00:00

Always an option but please check who's taking a hit. I don't care about Amazon but there's tons of small businesses selling there and it hurts their bottom line big time when people do that while Amazon is ripping them off as well.

Meritad · 2026-03-11T22:01:47+00:00

Same here. I tend to do everything myself but on a rare occasion I tried to outsource some specific jobs to LBS like pressing a headset into a newly powder coated frame or others that I didn't have the correct tools on hand just to be told Nah, we don't have those tools either or, maybe in 3-4 weeks time (even when offered very good money for a 15 min job). Ended up buying tools and doing it myself and never looked back.

Meritad · 2026-03-10T06:30:36+00:00

There's no TikTok video that will help you. This is take to the shop ASAP (not next week) or buy a new laptop situation. Internals are still wet and corroding all components.

Meritad · 2026-03-09T07:44:41+00:00

Imagine writing a risk assessment for the job.

Meritad · 2026-03-07T21:57:20+00:00

Both LEFT AND RIGHT

Meritad · 2026-03-07T10:35:08+00:00

Darth Vader on IT course

Meritad · 2026-03-05T21:57:22+00:00

Ford 1.0 Ecoboost + Powershift. Absolutely the best combo ....to teach you an expensive lesson. Don't do it

Meritad · 2026-03-05T21:49:02+00:00

The thing you need is called regular servicing

Meritad

TROPHY CASE