Motherboard repair

My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very light
used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard repair. It
will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible
to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
soldering without overheating, without damaging other M/B components?
I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6 month, then fault again.
I have option to replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished) motherboard
still available for my laptop model. Other option is to buy new
notebook. But my Dell laptop still have better configuration vs some new
economic laptop models.

Binaryx wrote:
> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very light
> used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard repair. It
> will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible
> to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
> soldering without overheating, without damaging other M/B components?

Can proper repairs be made by third parties? Yes, but I would be
concerned that the repair not only fixed the problem, but SOLVED IT. In
other words, overheating is often the result of poor design or defective
components. If the component is simply being replaced and there is no
difference from the original, you can reasonably expect a failure again
in the future. If on the other hand a better component is installed or
a heat sink to solve the problem permanently, then it might be worth the
effort.

> I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6 month, then fault again.
> I have option to replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
> expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished) motherboard
> still available for my laptop model. Other option is to buy new
> notebook. But my Dell laptop still have better configuration vs some new
> economic laptop models.

I would look carefully at the cost to repair and long range ability to
SOLVE your problem before I pumped serious money into the repair. You
could be throwing money down a hole that could be better spent on a new
computer.

"Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very light
> used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard repair. It
> will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible
> to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
> soldering without overheating, without damaging other M/B components?
> I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6 month, then fault again.
> I have option to replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
> expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished) motherboard
> still available for my laptop model. Other option is to buy new
> notebook. But my Dell laptop still have better configuration vs some new
> economic laptop models.

The key factor missing here in making a determination is the cost of each
option. A new laptop that is probably better than the broken one can be had
for $350 on up (US prices). As a starting point I would not consider a
repair unless it was under half that.

"Seth" <> wrote in
news:jf6kc2$2pi$:

>
> "Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very
>> light used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard
>> repair. It will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it
>> ever possible to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair
>> services, chip soldering without overheating, without damaging other
>> M/B components? I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6
>> month, then fault again. I have option to replace M/B in Dell
>> authorized service, but its very expensive, plus I am not sure that
>> NEW(not refurbished) motherboard still available for my laptop model.
>> Other option is to buy new notebook. But my Dell laptop still have
>> better configuration vs some new economic laptop models.
>
> The key factor missing here in making a determination is the cost of
> each option. A new laptop that is probably better than the broken one
> can be had for $350 on up (US prices). As a starting point I would
> not consider a repair unless it was under half that.

----------
the cost of each option in my area would be:

1. The repair in third-party service(component +labour) - $165
2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service: ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour [not
sure do they will put NEW, not refurbished)
3. New 15.6" laptop from $366(entry) - $457 (more advanced)

"Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
news:Xns9FDEAA50FDFCA565884@88.198.244.100...
> "Seth" <> wrote in
> news:jf6kc2$2pi$:
>
>>
>> "Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
>> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very
>>> light used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard
>>> repair. It will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it
>>> ever possible to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair
>>> services, chip soldering without overheating, without damaging other
>>> M/B components? I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6
>>> month, then fault again. I have option to replace M/B in Dell
>>> authorized service, but its very expensive, plus I am not sure that
>>> NEW(not refurbished) motherboard still available for my laptop model.
>>> Other option is to buy new notebook. But my Dell laptop still have
>>> better configuration vs some new economic laptop models.
>>
>> The key factor missing here in making a determination is the cost of
>> each option. A new laptop that is probably better than the broken one
>> can be had for $350 on up (US prices). As a starting point I would
>> not consider a repair unless it was under half that.
>
> ----------
> the cost of each option in my area would be:
>
> 1. The repair in third-party service(component +labour) - $165
> 2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service: ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour
> [not
> sure do they will put NEW, not refurbished)
> 3. New 15.6" laptop from $366(entry) - $457 (more advanced)

With those numbers I would replace. 3rd party would not be as reliable as
assembly line soldering of the parts involved. The Dell option is most
likely a refurb (which I have no issue with) but you are looking at $265,
only $100 less than new. The new machine, even though you say it is an
entry level model is probably still better than current machine.

Binaryx <no-> wrote in
news:Xns9FDEAA50FDFCA565884@88.198.244.100:

> "Seth" <> wrote in
> news:jf6kc2$2pi$:
>
>>
>> "Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
>> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty,
>>> but very light used. There is a lot repair services that
>>> offer motherboard repair. It will probably require to
>>> replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible to provide
>>> M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
>>> soldering without overheating, without damaging other
>>> M/B components? I'm not interested it laptop will work
>>> only 3-6 month, then fault again. I have option to
>>> replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
>>> expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished)
>>> motherboard still available for my laptop model. Other
>>> option is to buy new notebook. But my Dell laptop still
>>> have better configuration vs some new economic laptop
>>> models.
>>
>> The key factor missing here in making a determination is
>> the cost of each option. A new laptop that is probably
>> better than the broken one can be had for $350 on up (US
>> prices). As a starting point I would not consider a
>> repair unless it was under half that.
>
> ----------
> the cost of each option in my area would be:
>
> 1. The repair in third-party service(component +labour) -
> $165 2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service:
> ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour [not sure do they will put NEW, not
> refurbished) 3. New 15.6" laptop from $366(entry) - $457
> (more advanced)

What about replacing the MB yourself.

Dell, is not the only place to get Dell motherboards. Some
new, some are refurbs with guarantee, but a Google search
using your undisclosed laptop model can show yo usome options.

I replaced a MB in a Dell desktop a few years ago for a
friend. The replacement MB from Dell was $300. I found the
actual Dell MB online elswhere for $100.

On 18/01/2012 9:20 AM, Seth wrote:
>
> "Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very light
>> used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard repair. It
>> will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible
>> to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
>> soldering without overheating, without damaging other M/B components?
>> I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6 month, then fault again.
>> I have option to replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
>> expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished) motherboard
>> still available for my laptop model. Other option is to buy new
>> notebook. But my Dell laptop still have better configuration vs some new
>> economic laptop models.
>
> The key factor missing here in making a determination is the cost of
> each option. A new laptop that is probably better than the broken one
> can be had for $350 on up (US prices). As a starting point I would not
> consider a repair unless it was under half that.
>
>

Agreed. Even if the broken laptop cost only $350 (unlikely) or so,
adding another $150+ to its cost is counterproductive.

HTH
Wolf K.

DanS <> wrote in
news:Xns9FDE6924633E7thisnthatroadrunnern@216.196.97.131:

> Binaryx <no-> wrote in
> news:Xns9FDEAA50FDFCA565884@88.198.244.100:
>
>> "Seth" <> wrote in
>> news:jf6kc2$2pi$:
>>
>>>
>>> "Binaryx" <no-> wrote in message
>>> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>>>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty,
>>>> but very light used. There is a lot repair services that
>>>> offer motherboard repair. It will probably require to
>>>> replace North Bridge chip. Is it ever possible to provide
>>>> M/B quality repair in third-party repair services, chip
>>>> soldering without overheating, without damaging other
>>>> M/B components? I'm not interested it laptop will work
>>>> only 3-6 month, then fault again. I have option to
>>>> replace M/B in Dell authorized service, but its very
>>>> expensive, plus I am not sure that NEW(not refurbished)
>>>> motherboard still available for my laptop model. Other
>>>> option is to buy new notebook. But my Dell laptop still
>>>> have better configuration vs some new economic laptop
>>>> models.
>>>
>>> The key factor missing here in making a determination is
>>> the cost of each option. A new laptop that is probably
>>> better than the broken one can be had for $350 on up (US
>>> prices). As a starting point I would not consider a
>>> repair unless it was under half that.
>>
>> ----------
>> the cost of each option in my area would be:
>>
>> 1. The repair in third-party service(component +labour) -
>> $165 2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service:
>> ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour [not sure do they will put NEW, not
>> refurbished) 3. New 15.6" laptop from $366(entry) - $457
>> (more advanced)
>
> What about replacing the MB yourself.
>
> Dell, is not the only place to get Dell motherboards. Some
> new, some are refurbs with guarantee, but a Google search
> using your undisclosed laptop model can show yo usome options.
>
> I replaced a MB in a Dell desktop a few years ago for a
> friend. The replacement MB from Dell was $300. I found the
> actual Dell MB online elswhere for $100.
--------

its Dell Vostro 1520, can no define M/B model yet, label on m/b show
KML50D, but it's not Dell part number. But I didn't seen new Dell m/b for
Vostro 1520.

On 18/01/2012 10:34 AM, Binaryx wrote:
> its Dell Vostro 1520, can no define M/B model yet, label on m/b show
> KML50D, but it's not Dell part number. But I didn't seen new Dell m/b for
> Vostro 1520.

Searching reviews shows that a "freshened" Vostro 1520 was introduced in
early 2009, so it's at best 3- year-old model. It's no longer listed on
Dell's website. That means Dell no longer makes it. You will not find a
new mobo. You will either have to accept a refurbished one, or buy a new
machine.

The list price back then was $569. You can buy a much better machine
than the Vostro 1520 for about $350-450 US/CAD. You don't say where you
are located, but you should be able to find a replacement for the Vostro
for about the same price differential. I would look for a one-year-old
model; you can often buy these for 30-60% off list price. If you add an
extended warranty, you'll still pay less than original list price.

Do you have a backup for your data? If not, you may have to take the
machine to a repair shop, and have them copy data off the HDD in the old
machine.This should not be too costly, but only you can decide whether
it's worth the price. If you haven't already done so, I _strongly_ urge
you to buy an external drive for data backups. It is IMO foolhardy to
rely on a single device for storing data.

FWIW, some years ago when I was looking for a laptop, I asked a lot of
people about their laptops. Dell customers consistently praised Dell's
customer service. I interpreted that to mean that they needed it. A lot.

HTH
Wolf K.

On 1/18/2012 6:39 AM, Binaryx wrote:
> "Seth"<> wrote in
> news:jf6kc2$2pi$:
>
>>
>> "Binaryx"<no-> wrote in message
>> news:Xns9FDE95367ADBA565884@88.198.244.100...
>>> My laptop motherboard fault, laptop is out of warranty, but very
>>> light used. There is a lot repair services that offer motherboard
>>> repair. It will probably require to replace North Bridge chip. Is it
>>> ever possible to provide M/B quality repair in third-party repair
>>> services, chip soldering without overheating, without damaging other
>>> M/B components? I'm not interested it laptop will work only 3-6
>>> month, then fault again. I have option to replace M/B in Dell
>>> authorized service, but its very expensive, plus I am not sure that
>>> NEW(not refurbished) motherboard still available for my laptop model.
>>> Other option is to buy new notebook. But my Dell laptop still have
>>> better configuration vs some new economic laptop models.
>>
>> The key factor missing here in making a determination is the cost of
>> each option. A new laptop that is probably better than the broken one
>> can be had for $350 on up (US prices). As a starting point I would
>> not consider a repair unless it was under half that.
>
> ----------
> the cost of each option in my area would be:
>
> 1. The repair in third-party service(component +labour) - $165
> 2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service: ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour [not
> sure do they will put NEW, not refurbished)
> 3. New 15.6" laptop from $366(entry) - $457 (more advanced)
>
>
>


If it was me, I would just buy a new one given the prices you list there.

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