Laptop Troubles...
This has been going on for...well, half a year, really... My laptop -- a Sony Vaio which I dearly adore when it works right -- would function for a while, pretty normally, and then the power would start cutting out suddenly. There's really not been any distinct pattern to it, and at this point I think it really isn't overheating; from how it acts, it seems sort of like it's just...turning itself off: the power goes out suddenly and completely, and at random. I seriously suspect that they failed to test my laptop before sending it back.
Anyway. I've got a service plan at Best Buy, but I've been warned that they usually insist on giving you a replacement if you get three service tickets before the service plan/extended warranty runs out, which mine does in November '07. (I'm actually at four, but one was for a dead battery which might not count towards the lemon policy. Anybody know?) There's just one problem with this, really...
...I'm pretty certain I don't want a model they carry. Y'see, I intend to be spending a year in Japan, and I want to be absolutely certain that, if my laptop needs repairs, the process doesn't start with shipping it back to the US so it can be taken to a repair shop. So, I'm actually thinking of buying a barebones model & simply building it up to spec. Admittedly, if parts go, I will have to cover them out of my own funds...but at this point I think I'd prefer that to the alternatives.
I will, however, admit to a minor inclination towards getting one of the models my university offers through its 'Student Laptop Initiative.' However, I also have checked and found out that on-campus service is only provided to those who've bought their laptop through the school...so on a practical level they're (nearly) free for the price of a service plan.
The other thing is that I seriously don't want to give my Vaio up completely; I really do like it, and would prefer that they fix it instead of try to foist a new one off on me, particularly since I won't be permitted to have the HD from my Vaio's remains. (I don't wish to rely on it staying on to get my files off, particularly where the sufficiently-large external HD is stuck now.)
Anyway. I'm looking mainly for two bits of information:
1. I hear that you can get cheap copies of Windows, MS Office, and the like from one's college -- anybody care to divulge details so I can see if I can do so?
2. Anybody have suggestions on what is wrong with my Vaio and how I can get it fixed -- or get Best Buy/Geek Squad to actually repair it this time & not attempt to give me a new one? ::seriously doesn't want a new laptop currently, at least not through them, even if it is free::