Why is it so hard to find spare parts for Lenovo PCs

In late 2016, my old Dell PC decided to suddenly die on my in the middle of a project. I rushed out and totally unlike myself, I bought a cheap Lenovo PC. The Lenovo Ideacentre 300S 11ISH. It came with INTEL I5-6400 processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM which I upgraded to 8GB, 1TB SATA HDD (Not enough I know, but I have a huge backup storage), Intel HD GRAPHICS, Windows 10 HOME SL OS.

As compared to my old Dell PC, the PC had many disadvantages - only two RAM slot and so limited my ability to upgrade the memory and also only one monitor port. Of course, I could always buy new bigger RAM and use a VGA splitter cable but why should I have to go to all the trouble. On the bright side, the profile is quite small as compared to my old huge Dell PC.

To be fair, it was the best value for money based on the specs as compared to the Acer and HP PCs. It was not the fastest PC but it got my work done and was even able to run some of the memory heavy statistical software.

Middle of last year, the power button started to give me problems. In order to turn the pC, I would need to push the power button on the top right a couple of times before it would decide to start. After doing a bit of research on the net, I realised that this was a common issue with Lenovo PC. Maybe part of a planned planned obsolescence where their PCs start breaking down after a year or two. Eventually I ended breaking the button and I would need to use a pencil to press the tiny button inside. I realised that the external button was used to press the internal button but the contact had got worn out over time. I totally forgot that I had bought 1 year Lenovo On-site Warranty. Just realised it yesterday and that was money wasted.

Yesterday, my son took a screwdriver and pushed it inside the hole and broke the button. Now I cannot start the PC.

Did a search on the net and I could not find a replacement - not even on the Lenovo support site.

Today I went to the Digital Mall in Petaling Jaya, near my house to get a replacement cable. There are hundreds of shops selling all kind of electronic stuff and I thought I would be able to find the replacement cable. I thought wrong.

None of the shops could help me. A repair shop could not even find the cable online as well and they are professionals. I was even willing to get any compatible cable as I do not mind sticking it outside the PC case with superglue but No!

The Lenovo shop from where I had bought the PC was not helpful at all - though one guy did pull up my information in their database and gave me the name of the PC model.

One guy advised me to go to Imbi Plaza in KL.

Really frustrating - why is it so hard to buy a simple power button cable.

Computer speakers for all budgets

Here is my selection of three different computer speakers to suit different budgets. Space or the lack of was my main concern when considering the speakers and so out of my list were all the huge surround sound systems. So here are the three speakers starting with the least expensive.

A. Budget Option: Vinnfier VS200

They are not the cheapest or the smallest in the market but the sound quality was acceptable. All other cheaper speakers I tried were simply not up to the mark.  The two speakers delivers a total of 6W with frequency response between 90Hz – 20KHz and impedance: 4 ohms. Power supply is via a USB cable (5V).

Price: Approx. RM30 (Malaysia)

 B. Mid-range Option: JBL Pebbles

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When you want quality sound, small profile and not break the bank, you have to go for the JBL Pebbles. Mine is the white-orange combination. Despite its small dimensions (13 cm high x 15 cm deep x 7.7 cm wide), the speakers deliver amazing sound - amazing clarity and deep bass.

Not sure about the wattage (no information was provided with the packaging) but the frequency response is between 70Hz – 20kHz with maximum SPL / signal to noise ratio at 89dB@1m. I love the simple integrated rotating volume control on the side of the main speaker. You can connect other devices via the 3.5mm Aux-in Port.

Price: $49.95 (US)/ RM 299.00 (Malaysia)

 B. High-end Option: Harman Kardon NOVA 

If you are an audiophile and have money to spend, this is the option to go for. For it's size, this high-performance stereo speaker system delivers really amazing sound - excellent clarity and rich lows. You can also press the bass button for improved deeper bass.

The transparent futuristic looking speakers include Performance-tuned 2.5” drivers, 1.25” tweeters and passive radiators. Moreover, the speakers allow Bluetooth wireless streaming with NFC compatibility with any device via analog 3.5mm connector and optical inputs.

One of the cool features is the touch sensitive volume control slider on the top of the main speaker. Unfortunately the kids love playing with it.

Specs for the technically minded:
Frequency Response between 70 Hz - 20,00kHz
Impedance: 8 ohms;
Crossover Description: 3.5kHz;
RMS Power Range - Amplifiers: 40 watts

Unlike the two previous speakers, the NOVA requires a connection to a power outlet.

For a change, this is a PC speaker which looks nice and it sounds nice as well.

Price: $299.95 (US)/ RM1199 (Malaysia, best price on Lazada)

Google launches Chromebox

Google working together with Samsung has launched an upgraded laptop, called the Series 5 550 and the Chromebox, their vision of a desktop computer.
It is available for $329 on the Google website.

Information on booting from a CD

I have heard that having a bootable CD is useful but never thought about it much until I read the information on the Boot from CD site. These CDs contain a smaller version operating system that allows you to run your PC to recover data from crashed PCs or run diagnostic tools.

The site provides links to available solutions and also provides step-by-step instructions to help with your BIOS configuration besides other information.

Roy, the owner of the site has personally downloaded and thoroughly tested all the solution listed on the sites.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Following the success of the Asus Eee , other PC manufacturers have released their own versions of mini PCs. This includes Fujitsu with their Amilo Mini and now Dell.

Dell officially unveiled the new Inspiron Mini on the 4th of this month and is now available in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Austria.

It weighs just 1.035kg and has a bright 8.9-inch glossy LED display (1024x600). Wi-Fi is standard. Other customisations include Built-in Webcam and Bluetooth.

It runs on Microsoft Windows XP and prices start at £299/ including VAT and delivery.

Dell promises to bring other models running Ubuntu 8.04 and a custom interface developed by Dell in the following weeks with a lower prices starting at £269 including VAT and delivery.

My Workplace

In his latest video post, the Problogger shows off his new office, which he calls his "HQ 2.0".

Anyway, here's a pic of my own "Blogging HQ".



Yeah! I am still using an old CRT monitor. Still trying to get a good used TFT monitor on eBay.

Cheap Dell PC

Dell Inspiron 530

Some of my friends who had bought the same Dell model as mine - an Inspiron 530, simply couldn't believe that I got my PayPerPost PC that cheap (£ 279.02 inclusive of VAT) when I told them the specifications.

According to them, even with the basic specs, it simply couldn't come below £300.

I agree that my PC is NOT the ultimate computing machine but it isn't that basic either. It has a 2.20GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with 2MB cache, 1 Gig DDR2 667MHz RAM and 250GB Hard Drive.

The reason my computer is that cheap is because I left out a lot of optional stuff. The costliest accessory I left out was the TFT monitor as I can get a cheaper one on eBay. I also didn't want a floppy drive and opted not to include speakers or a modem.

I don't play graphic intensive games nor do I use the PC as a multimedia centre, so I left the standard graphics card in as well. I also didn't opt for any software, other than those already included with the PC. This included the operating system as well - I went for Windows Vista Home Basic.

Of course, as I had mentioned before, I took advantage of their free delivery offer and had an additional £20 off.

In the end I had a PC that more than meets my computing needs.

Just for fun, I tried building another Inspiron 530 online on the Dell site. This time however, with all the best options available. It came to nearly £2,500. But then at that price, I would rather go for their top of the range XPS 720 H2C.



Doesn't that look sexy?