Repair FAQs
What kind of laptops do you repair?
What kind of repairs can you perform?
What is your typical turn-around time?
How can I pay for the return of my laptop?
Can I get a repair quote before sending in my laptop?
What are your recommended shipping instructions?
Can you guarantee you can fix my laptop?

General FAQs
Warranty Policy
Warranty
What is your Return Policy?
How can I pay for my order and is my order secure?
Can I just walk-in to your Office?
How often is this website updated?
I am a reseller, would you offer me any discounts?
Do you sell my information to third parties or use my name or email to send me spam?
Do you have a list of refurbished or used laptops for sale and is it available on the site?
What exactly are the services offered by Laptop Service?

Cleaning your LCD display or Laptop Screen.
What does LCD stand for?
Why should I worry about cleaning my LCD screen?
Can I use any type of cleaning solution on my LCD screen?
What types of cleaners are acceptable?
What are some of the basic supplies needed to clean an LCD screen?
How do I clean the LCD surface properly?

New Battery care instructions.
Battery Do's:
Battery Don'ts:
Break In New Batteries
Prevent the Memory Effect
Keep the Batteries Clean
Exercise the Battery
Battery Storage
For Notebook Users
How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of the New Battery)?

Repair FAQs

What kind of laptops do you repair?

We repair all makes and models of laptops and notebooks. Major brands such as Sony, Toshiba, IBM, Dell, etc. to lesser known brands such as Alienware, Northstar, ECS, Hyperdata, etc.

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What kind of repairs can you perform?

Since we are able to perform board level repair on some laptops, there is not many problems we cannot handle. Of course, some systems require parts which are not available anymore or components such as surface mounted chips which may not be replaceable. Some common problems we encounter and repair each day are dark or white displays, systems that don’t power on or turn on then immediately off, cannot charge batteries or similar problems. We also perform more basic repairs such as display or keyboard replacements, for example.

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What is your typical turn-around time?

We try to post our diagnostic report via our repair status page and by email within 3-4 after receiving your laptop. Once a repair is authorized we see a typical 1-2 day completion and testing time on a repair. If a part is required which is not in our vast in-house stock of parts, up to 7 days can be added to the repair time as we need to order the needed part(s).

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How can I pay for the return of my laptop?

You must visit this secure webpage for return payment of your laptop.

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Can I get a repair quote before sending in my laptop?

This is a question we are asked almost daily. Because we don’t know what is happening inside of your laptop without taking it apart it is difficult for us to give you a firm repair quote. A blank screen, for example, can be caused by a bad bulb. It can also be caused by a bad inverter, LCD cable for, in some instances, a faulty motherboard. We do our best in giving estimates by email or by phone, but these are just that - estimates based on an average price of what it takes to repair a particular problem for a particular laptop model as described to us.

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What are your recommended shipping instructions?

You can receive detailed information by clicking here.

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Can you guarantee you can fix my laptop?

We do repair 95% or more of the laptops we attempt. However, there are some laptops where we must replace a major component rather than repair the part due to part availability or because of extensive damage to the unit causing the price to climb beyond a reasonable repair cost. Here, we recommend the laptop be replaced rather then repaired.

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General FAQs

Warranty Policy

We offer the following warranty for services offered and products sold:

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Warranty

Description Length
Labor 120 days
Board Level / DC-IN Jack / LCD Bulb Replacement Repairs 60 Days
New and Factory Direct Parts 60 Days (Toshiba excepted)
Toshiba Factory Direct Parts 30 Days
Certified Pre Owned (CPO) 30 Days
Refurbished Parts 30 Days
Exchange Parts 30 Days
Minor Defect Parts 30 Days

Laptop Repair warranty claims are only authorized, if the exact symptoms and problems originally described still exist. when the repair was requested. UPS Ground Shipping costs for Laptop Repair warranties will be covered by Laptop Service.

Parts under warranty will be replaced, if they are defective. To obtain a replacement, please follow the procedure given below:
a. Contact us at support@laptopservice.com or dial, 206.575.8285 to obtain a Replacement Authorization Number.
b. Ensure that the product(s) are in their original packaging with all items (diskettes, manuals, cables etc) included
c. Prepay the shipping charges and the insurance fees (paying the insurance will protect you, if the shipment is lost or damaged during transit).
d. Ship the product(s) to us with the Replacement Authorization Number clearly mentioned on the outside of the box,

* Credit for defective parts is only offered, if we cannot offer a replacement.
* All exchange parts sales are final. This is due to the fact that, almost all our exchanges are with the manufacturer(s) and we perform this task as quickly as possible. Therefore the part(s) you sent to us may no longer be in our possession and has been returned to the manufacturer(s). Please ensure that the part you are exchanging is causing the problem.

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What is your Return Policy?

We offer a 30-day money back guarantee from the original ship date for most merchandise. Certain restrictions apply to the products listed below. Please check through for more detail. After 30 days, only the manufacturer's warranty applies and no returns will be accepted.
A RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER (RMA No) must be obtained from here and is required for ALL returns. We reserve the right to charge a 15% restocking fee on returns. Merchandise must be returned within 15 days of the issuance of the RA# at which time the RMA# expires. RMA No's are non-renewable.

We reserve the right to return any merchandise without a valid RMA No to the customer or to prorate the credit.

All returned merchandise must be in the original packaging with the UPC or bar code intact. All components, manuals, registration card(s), software, cables & accessories must be included. Laptopservice.com inspects all returns and reserves the right to return merchandise that does not meet the criteria.

30 day money back guarantee does not apply to special orders.

Return products to:
Laptop Service

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How can I pay for my order and is my order secure?

We gladly accept VISA, Mastercard, and American Express as well via PayPal and checks. However, we can only accept a check providing you notify us first for further instructions with this method payment.
We use SSL using https for processing your order, which means that the connection to our server from your computer is encrypted to prevent others from eavesdropping. When you enter the credit card number to place your order, it is sent for verification check via a secure line to our bank. If your credit card number needs to be sent through email correspondence to you, then it is encrypted to ensure it cannot be viewed and understood by others (whether human or machines).

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Can I just walk-in to your Office?

All our customers are equally important to us. As they come from across the States, therefore we don’t give priority to local work ahead of other work. So while we would warmly welcome you, we would not give your work any preference as compared to other non-local customers.

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How often is this website updated?

We update the parts inventory, laptops available and the deals available every day as we make sales or add new items. All other pages are updated as needed, while status page is updated as changes happen.

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I am a reseller, would you offer me any discounts?

We do offer discounts to resellers in case of repairs, but you have to be registered with us as a seller. Please contact us for details on our policies in this regard. However, we cannot offer any discounts for parts.

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Do you sell my information to third parties or use my name or email to send me spam? 

We believe in the privacy of our customers, hence we do not sell, rent or share any information regarding you to anyone (See our privacy policy for details). We will only communicate with you in the following cases:
a. trouble with your order
b. sending you a quote
c. sending you confirmation and tracking information about your order.
We do not send spam or give your details to others for the purpose.

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Do you have a list of refurbished or used laptops for sale and is it available on the site? 

We have a large selection of new, used, and refurbished laptops, in all price ranges. If you have any special needs, and our inventory does not seem to fulfill them, then please contact us with your questions and requirements. We will do our best to fulfill them.

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What exactly are the services offered by Laptop Service?

Our company offers the following services:
a. sales of laptops,
b. service of laptops,
c. Selling of parts
d. accessories sales.
We have a large selection of New, Refurbished, and Used Laptops and their parts. We also stock most laptop related accessories, including adaptors for almost every laptop. We pride ourselves on the fact that, we go another extra mile for our customers. We believe in personal service and listening to our customers. Every one of our customers is special and has his or her unique needs, therefore we do everything to ensure their needs are met within their budget.

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Cleaning your LCD display or Laptop Screen.

What does LCD stand for?

Liquid Crystal Display, mostly used in flat screen monitors and laptop screens.

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Why should I worry about cleaning my LCD screen?

One of the most expensive components of a computer system or laptop is the LCD monitor or screen. LCD screens are easily susceptible to damage and scratches, so it's a good idea to make sure you clean it correctly.

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Can I use any type of cleaning solution on my LCD screen?

No, using alcohol or ammonia - based cleaners repeatedly may cause permanent damage to the LCD. Over time using these types of cleaners could cause the surface of the screen to yellow. It can also make the screen brittle and eventually cause cracking on the screen surface.
NOTICE: The following cleaners are unacceptable:
• Acetone
• Ethyl alcohol
• Ethyl acid
• Ammonia
• Methyl chloride

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What types of cleaners are acceptable??

• Water
• Vinegar (mixed with water)
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Petroleum Benzene

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What are some of the basic supplies needed to clean an LCD screen?

* A soft cotton cloth. When cleaning the LCD screen it is important to use a soft cotton cloth, rather than an old rag. Some materials, such as paper towels, could cause scratches and damage the LCD screen.
* Solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. This solution can be used along with the soft cotton cloth.
* Computer wipes. Only use these if they specifically state on the package they are designed for LCD laptop screens. Computer wipes can come in handy for fast clean-ups or when you want to avoid mixing up a cleaning solution yourself.

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How do I clean the LCD surface properly?

• Do not spray any liquids on the LCD screen directly, and do not use paper towels, this can cause the LCD screen to become scratched.
• Always apply the solution to your cloth first, not directly to the parts you are cleaning. You want to avoid dripping the solution directly into your computer or laptop.
• Stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom.

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New Battery care instructions.

Battery Care Do's

A new battery comes in a discharged condition and must be charged before use. Upon initial use (or after a prolonged storage period) the battery may require three to four charge/discharge cycles before achieving maximum capacity.

When charging the battery for the first time the device may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is a normal phenomenon with rechargeable batteries. Remove the battery from the device, reinsert it and repeat the charging procedure.

It is important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the battery every two to three weeks. Failure to do so may significantly shorten the battery's life (this does not apply to Li-Ion batteries, which do not require conditioning). To discharge, simply run the device under the battery's power until it shuts down or until you get a low battery warning. Then recharge the battery as instructed in the user's manual.

If the battery will not be in use for a month or longer, it is recommended that it be removed from the device and stored in a cool, dry, clean place.

A charged battery will eventually lose its charge if unused. It may therefore be necessary to recharge the battery after a storage period.

Actual battery run-time depends upon the power demands made by the equipment. In the case of notebook computers, screen brightness, the use of the CPU, the hard drive, and other peripherals results in an additional drain upon the battery that effectively reduces the battery's run-time. The total run-time of the battery is also heavily dependent upon the design of the equipment. To ensure maximum performance of the battery, optimize the computer's power management features. Refer to the computer manual for further instructions.

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Battery Care Don'ts

*Do not short-circuit. A short-circuit may cause severe damage to the battery.

*Do not drop, hit or otherwise abuse the battery as this may result in the exposure of the cell contents, which are corrosive.

* Do not expose the battery to moisture or rain.

* Keep battery away from fire or other sources of extreme heat. Do not incinerate. Exposure of battery to extreme heat may result in an explosion.

* How Can I Maximize Battery Performance?

There are several steps you can take to insure that you get maximum performance from the battery:

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Break In New Batteries

New batteries come in a discharged condition and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended that you fully charge and discharge the new battery two to four times to allow it to reach its maximum rated capacity.

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Prevent the Memory Effect

Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the memory effect.

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Keep the Batteries Clean

It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.

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Exercise the Battery

Do not leave the battery dormant for long periods of time. We recommend using the battery at least once every two to three weeks. If a battery has not been used for a long period of time, perform the new battery break in procedure described above.

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Battery Storage

If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, we recommend storing it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries will self-discharge during storage; remember to break them in before use. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries must be kept at full charge during storage. This is usually achieved by using special trickle chargers. If you do not have a trickle charger, do not attempt to store SLA batteries for more than three months.

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For Notebook Users

To get maximum performance from the battery, fully optimize the notebooks power management features prior to use. Power management is a trade off: better power conservation in exchange for lesser computer performance. The power management system conserves battery power by setting the processor to run at a slower speed, dimming the screen, spinning down the hard drive when it's not in use and causing the machine to go into sleep mode when inactive. The notebook User`s Guide will provide information relating to specific power management features.

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How Long Do Batteries Last (What is the Life Span of the New Battery)?

The life span of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one and a half to three years of battery life for the average user. As the rechargeable battery begins to die you will notice a decline in the running time of the battery. When a new battery that originally powered the notebook for two hours is only giving an hour's worth of use it's time for a new one.

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