How long should my Win7 laptop last?

[Janesdf]

In 2012, I bought my first laptop for the convenience of using it anywhere with Wi-Fi. Prior to that, I always used desktops which lasted a minimum of five years, but became so out-of- date and slow that it was less expensive to purchase a new desktop than update an older system which was beyond my expertise. The cost to pay someone else (labor, parts, software), at least at the time, was almost the cost of a new, off-the-shelf pc using my older monitor. Now, after three years, my laptop keyboard types the wrong characters, the online keyboard worked a week before it started doing the same thing, the Start menu flashes on and off, the scroll bar rolls to the bottom and is stuck there. Fortunately, I back up regularly. The keyboard problem started a week ago, but everything else worked so I ran another backup yesterday. The other problems started today. I have run the troubleshooter, system restore to an earlier time, ran my anti-virus programs, nothing has helped. However, I've noticed that if I shut it down and let it cool down, it will work except for the keyboard, for an hour or so before it becomes too warm and all of the problems start again. At some point, it probably won't turn on at all.

I hoped my laptop would last at least as long as my desktops as I did not expect to have to purchase a new one after three years.

Because of these problems, I am using my Kindle Fire to send this message.

My laptop is a Lenovo N580 64-bit with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Thanks. Jane

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
64 bit laptops I'm usually not a fan of because they usually have inadequate cooling to start
Laptops also are best with ssd's because they produce no heat

I guess this is the laptop
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd025641
Which there are a few options listed here that are unknown to your machine Intel or amd cpu..

I've had a little M-series Gateway for now 6 years and it works very well but it is 32 bit 7 home premium with an added ssd and it's never worked better after a clean install
So it's all luck of the draw and research system spec's which I've never been a fan of H-P or Lenovo
Couldn't afford Dell at that time

I've found also a machine will work good or bad just by selecting security
Windows friendly security will do more good than most people think
What do you use for security ?
MSE and Malwarebytes Premium is a great combination.

 

[Janesdf]

Do you mean solid state drive? I find that acronyms can have more than one meaning which I am asking.

I don't understand what you mean by "Which there are a few options listed here that are unknown to your machine Intel or amd cpu.." If the options are listed, how can they be unknown?

As for 32-bit machines, I found that some software will not work well or not at all on 32-bit, but will on 64-bit.

 

[Janesdf]

My security is MS Security Essentials. I run it daily.

 

[LMiller7]

Heat is a big killer of laptops. In the confined space and limited ventilation common in laptops heat is difficult to dissipate and temperatures can easily reach unacceptable levels. They should always be operated on a hard flat surface and ensure that vents are never blocked.

The design priorities of a laptop are low weight, low power consumption, while still providing reasonable performaance. Price is also a major consideration and in many cases the deciding one. With these severe constraints low cost is difficult to achieve and reliability tends to suffer.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yes solid state drive

Use cpu-z and post screen shots of the cpu/ Main board/ and memory section of it
CPUID
The page I pulled up on the laptop was all of the options they offered it was nonspecific that came on your laptop.

Software well 32 bit was around before 64 bit was so it's just a matter of getting the correct download of the program one needs
Most 64 bit programs use more 32 bit processes it's just designed for compatibility for 64 bit processors.
But developers made both versions 64 bit after.

 

[Janesdf]

Hi, I do remember seeing a 32-bit folder along with the 64-bit while looking thru my c drive folder. My desktop is a 32 bit and no problems there other than replacing the power box a couple of times because I used it so much, and I was able to make that change myself. Do you think my laptop can be saved? I've looked at refurbished ones with 64 bit that are "like new" as I don't want to purchase a brand new laptop right now. But I will consider 34 bits which are less expensive. Thanks. Jane

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I hoped my laptop would last at least as long as my desktops

That's possible, but it's not the most likely outcome.

Laptops have one advantage: portability.

They have many disadvantages, all of which relate to design compromises made in the name of portability. Fragility, heat issues, prone to theft, underpowered, small screens, mediocre keyboards, slow drives, modest graphic performance, high initial cost, battery life, and so forth.

They are notoriously difficult and expensive to repair. Few repairs can be done by a home user, compounding the problem. Desktops have a certain modularity that allows you to replace just the failed part, rather easily and inexpensively.

Those who tolerate the shortcomings do so because the one advantage trumps the combined disadvantages. You have to confront that whenever you are considering a purchase.

I've never owned one. My only portable electronic device is a TV remote control.

 

[xips]

TPFanControl is a utility which allows you to monitor your CPU temperatures in realtime. It also allows you to control your fan speed. Many Thinkpad people use it and swear by it.

It appears your keyboard is shot and needs replacing. The physical keyboard and onscreen keyboard ride in parallel, In other words you get input using either one simultaneously and the physical keyboard is taking over by malfunction. Using resources available on the internet you can locate a replacement keyboard and find a video tutorials explaining how to properly replace the keyboard and save yourself a lot of money. It is important to find a dependable and proper replacement keyboard for extended life. Careful research includes going on Thinkpad forums and just ask for help and opinions.

Good luck.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yes on a 64 bit machine the 32 bit folder is x86 the 64 bit is just Programs
Same goes for a 32 bit system has just Programs folder.

Used machines well that is not the greatest option you end up with other peoples problems similar to yours
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html

 

[ThrashZone]

Another thing you can do is use a external keyboard from the other machine

 

[Janesdf]

Thanks everyone with your comments re: my laptop. It has finally stopped working and so tomorrow, I will be purchasing another one. I found instructions on how to remove the hard drive, which I've done and I had already backed up my files. 32-bit lps seem to be less expensive, do I really need a 64-bit? Also, a youtube video I found on lp's overheating suggested that with new l.p.'s, if you vacuum the vents once a month, it can prevent dust build-up and overheating in the future. The same video suggested downloading speccy which will monitor the heat level. Will check into that later. I will also purchase a ssd suggested by Thrashzone. Any other suggestions so that I can get more than three years out of the next one? I've learned something new from this experience on laptops and increased my knowledge base, and that's a good thing. Thanks, from Jane's (kindle) Fire

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The primary reason to use 64-bit is if you intend to use more than 4 GB of RAM.

If you buy a laptop with 8 GB or more RAM, it will NOT recognize more than 3 plus GB of that UNLESS it's a 64-bit machine.

You should keep vents clean. You can also buy a cooler pad to set the laptop on that will cool it down a bit.

Computers & Tablets, All Laptop Accessories, Laptop Cooling Pads, laptop cooler - Newegg.com

But the laptop will still retain most of the disadvantages regardless of what you do.

Luck has a lot to do with how long it lasts.

 

[paul1149]

Now, after three years, my laptop keyboard types the wrong characters, the online keyboard worked a week before it started doing the same thing, the Start menu flashes on and off, the scroll bar rolls to the bottom and is stuck there. Fortunately, I back up regularly.

My laptop is a Lenovo N580 64-bit with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Thanks. Jane

Laptops require periodic blowing out of the inside. If there is cat hair about it will have to be disassembled, because just blowing air in can make it worse. Sometimes a repaste of the CPU is in order, and the fan should be oiled at the same time. I refurb laptops and I do this all the time. A BIOS flash may help too, and after three years a Factory Reset or a fresh install is in order.

If you want to do this yourself, do the reinstall and get a can of compressed air to blow it out. Blow out the keyboard too. Unless the video chip is going, most three year old laptops should have a LOT of life left in them.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
32 bit should be just fine but don't expect to do any gaming
If it's just business and general computing 32 bit will do the job

Best advice I can suggest is make sure you get a 30 day at minimum return policy and make sure to use it if the machine does run hot
It usually isn't hard to figure that out I returned one because it was exactly like using a mini space heater

If you need help finding one just post a budget and we can look around and suggest some for you to look at with decent spec's

We will need to know what region/ state you live in though
It also might be a good idea to sign up with Newegg.com and even Amazon.com for e-alerts of deals they often have deals worth looking at and also offer discounts just for getting some annoying emails

I'd say a suggested budget for a laptop is around 600.us

 

[Janesdf]

Thanks. Being that this was an unexpected expense, my budget is under $200 which is why I am looking at refurbished lps. I'm also looking at small form factor desktops for the smaller size. Jane

 

[ThrashZone]

Well that would be a tough bill to fit,
For 300.00 with the 2 year drop and spill protection you could look at this one and it is new
Amazon.com: Dell Inspiron 14 3000 14 Inch Laptop (Intel Celeron, 2GB, 500GB, Black): Computers & Accessories

Or this one and upgrade to a larger ssd later,
Amazon.com: Acer Aspire E 11 ES1-111M-C40S 11.6-Inch Laptop (Diamond Black): Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com : Dell Latitude E6420 14 LED Notebook Intel Core i5 i5-2520M 2.50 GHz 4GB DDR3 320GB HDD DVD-Writer Intel HD 3000 Graphics Bluetooth : Laptop Computers : Computers & Accessories

 

[Janesdf]

Thanks for the suggestion, however, I should have mentioned it must be Win7. I was among those who had horrible problems with Win 8 and 8.1 so I downgraded to Win 7. I'm staying away from all versions of Win 8. For work, I will need 4GB of memory. I am open to more suggestions.

 

[ThrashZone]

I would stick with 32 bit
You can upgrade the hdd to a ssd later and gain more performance than using 64 bit on a low powered laptop,
Plus battery life is better with 32 bit.

Ram actually means very little if using a ssd the speed is in reading and writes not ram
Amazon.com : Dell Latitude E5410 Laptop WEBCAM - Core i3 2.26ghz - 3GB DDR3 - 160GB - DVDRW - Windows 7 Home 32bit (Certified Refurbished) : Computers & Accessories

 

[Janesdf]

Thanks, again. I took a look and see it is only 160gb. With all of my software, business and personal, files, etc., I had surpassed 300gb on my laptop which was 500GB. I have a refurbished desktop and laptop in mind, what do you think of these?

HewlettPackard HPDC7900BC20404 - Best Buy

HewlettPackard HPDC7900BC20394 - Best Buy

HP 15.4" Notebook 4 GB Memory 500 GB Hard Drive Black HP 6715BBC5-0509 - Best Buy