I've had my first issue with my Acer C720 Chromebook after a year and a half. While browsing, it shut itself off. On restart, the screen was going crazy and both the keyboard and touch pad are unresponsive. It also didn't provide power when I tried a USB mouse. How do I go about a fix?
Are you plugged in or on battery? If it works plugged in, it's more than likely a battery problem. If not, well, I'd be pulling out the screwdrivers, opening it up and reseating anything that could be reseated, but there's probably a more productive approach than that. I just tend to take things apart when they go wrong.
It started when it was still plugged in. I'm not likely to take it to a repair shop, as I don't care to spend that kind of money on a $200 computer. I'll let it sit for a few days then try pulling it apart. Thankfully I still have my big toshi laptop to use. Also on my list is a powerwash reset.
Worst case scenario it's dead and I look for a new mini laptop. Maybe a new chromebook, or I splurge on a base mac book air.
Yeah, if you can get it to powerwash that'd be my next step.
FWIW, I just bought an ASUS C201 that I'm very pleased with. Even runs Ubuntu via crouton pretty effectively. $160 from all the usual places.
I love my C720, but it wouldn't shock me if something like this happened to it. The construction doesn't exactly scream "high quality", but then again, for $200, I wouldn't expect it to.
Sounds like a hardware problem to me, it's probably toast.
I gave it a rest for 2 days and came back to it today. It won't run stable enough to wipe. I opened it up but I couldn't find anything serviceable inside. The only thing I could think to swap with a know good one is the SSD, But I doubt that's it, and I don't have a spare. More or less I'm writing it off at this point.
Back to my 17" Win 7 Toshiba until I decide to buy a new computer.
Yeah it shouldn't be the SSD...you can try turning it on with the SSD removed to be sure. If you don't see an error screen asking for recovery media, it's definitely not the SSD.
I have a 710, typing this on it right now. The only thing socketed is the ram and the HD, both are stupid easy to get to. Not bad idea to make sure obth are seated, maybe wipe the contacts on the ram. Could also try removing one stick or the other, or swapping in a different one. Remove the one screw front and center, basically right under the touchpad click button (might be under a warranty sticker), slide the cover away from the screen hinge about a quarter inch and lift it up. Good time to get out the canned air and blow the fan out too.
I was just going to post that you should try blowing it out with compressed air. I "fix" a lot of computers just by cleaning them out.
If you're shopping for a new laptop, I LOVE my HP Chromebook (White 4G). The build quality is better than the original Acer and Samsung Chromebooks.
I'll try a can of air next time I get a chance to play with it.
I'm not on an immediate search for a new one yet. This may turn into or start up a "what laptop" thread.
Update, pulled it apart again as far as I could and blasted out everything after letting it sit for a week. It ran well enough to powerwash then died again as I was setting it back up.
It's replacement will likely be an Asus, or possibly an HP.
A new Asus C201 is on its way.
I think you'll be happy with the ASUS. It's remarkable how much the price on portable hardware has dropped in the last year or two.
In reply to 02Pilot:
Yes. When I bought my Acer it was $200. I almost picked up another C720, but a refurb was $130. Too close to the price of a new Asus, although the thought of having spare parts was tempting. Now to wait for the Asus to show up. Reading reviews on it, it is super thin and light, even by chromebook standards.
It really is tiny. I've been very impressed with it, and the size makes it super easy to carry (which was an important consideration for me).
I have had my Asus for about 2 weeks now. Going from one 11" chromebook to another was no real transition. It is slightly thinner, but not remarkably so from the acer.
There are 3 mild cons. The hinge, while more solid, is stiffer and the screen needs to be opened by either the center or from both sides, and doesn't open as far. The wifi shuts off when the screen is closed and takes about 10 seconds to reconnect. Lastly, the speakers are what I expect for it's price, but the position underneath at the front often leave them blocked if it's not on a flat surface.
Otherwise I'm happy with it.
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