Motherboard repair

On 1/18/2012 6:39 AM, Binaryx wrote:
> 2. M/B replacement in authorized Dell service: ~$219(M/B) + $45 labour [not
> sure do they will put NEW, not refurbished)

Don't be so afraid of refurbished hardware. I can't speak for Dell, but
most reputable hardware vendors do an excellent job on refurbishing to
the point that "refurbs" are better than new (excluding cosmetics).

The military has been treating refurbs and new gear as pretty much the
same for at least a century.

Caveat tho....
This is changing with the new manufacturing (low costs)methods compared
to older technology.

Wolf K <> wrote in
news:3BBRq.16472$_:

> 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.
--------------


I bought mine in the end of 2009 and it cost me $664.00
It's Core 2 Duo CPU, T6670/2.2Ghz, RAM 3Gb, dedicated Video card, and come
with preinstalled Windows 7 Home.
Laptops is more expensive in my area than in US.
At the moment, I don't want to spend more than $400-420 for new laptop.
But I can no get good configuration for this money, for example, a few
options:
For $365 I can buy new HP COMPAQ PRESARIO CQ57-372SR [QH799EA#ACB], CPU
Intel Celeron B800, 1.5GHz, RAM 2Gb, 320Gb HDD, with DOS(!) only.
For $420-430 ASUS X54C-SX008D, Intel Celeron B800 1.5 GHz,RAM 2Gb, HDD
320Gb only, Video: Integrated, DOS(!)
For $457 HP Compaq Presario CQ57-381ER, CPU AMD Brazos E450, RAM 4GB, HDD
500GB, DOS(!).

All very poor, compare with mine Dell.
I didn had too much data stored on HDD, but luckily data it retrievable,
via pulling out hdd and using external 2.5” HDD enclosure, has been tested
yesterday and confirmed HDD working.
However, cheapest way would be repairing m/b in third-party service for
$165,they give 3 month warranty for M/b and 2 years for chip itself. Again,
not sure how reliable is repair in non-manufacturer conditions, though they
claim they use special professional soldering station equipment, etc.

On 18/01/2012 4:42 PM, Binaryx wrote:
[snip system comparisons, etc]
> I didn had too much data stored on HDD, but luckily data it retrievable,
> via pulling out hdd and using external 2.5” HDD enclosure, has been tested
> yesterday and confirmed HDD working.
> However, cheapest way would be repairing m/b in third-party service for
> $165,they give 3 month warranty for M/b and 2 years for chip itself. Again,
> not sure how reliable is repair in non-manufacturer conditions, though they
> claim they use special professional soldering station equipment, etc.

Well, knowing more about your situation, then 3rd party repair looks
like the way to go. It's too bad your machine isn't serviced by Dell
anymore.

Good luck,
Wolf K.

Binaryx wrote:
> 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.
>

In the Power Button Light Codes at the bottom of this page,
what is your laptop showing right now ? With main battery
inserted or with main battery removed and running on the adapter ?

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/SM/diags.htm

"The power LED located in the power button on the front of the computer
illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate five different states:

* No light - System is in the off state
(S5, or mechanical (AC power not applied) OFF).
* Solid Amber - System fault, but power supply is good
- normal operating state (S0).
* Blinking Amber - System fault error condition including Power Supply
(only +5VSB working), Vreg failure, missing or bad CPU.
* Blinking Green - System is in power saving states S1, S3 or S4.
(Blink rate is 1Hz). No fault/error condition.
* Solid Green - System is fully functional and is in S0 (ON) state."

Paul




Paul