Replacing a Laptop mobo??

Silver_Pharaoh · Mar 27, 2014

Hey guys!

So as it seems, my dad has a laptop with a "broken motherboard" heading my way.

Not sure what make or anything really, I just know I should have one headed my way soon.

One of his co-worker's daughter had a laptop, and now it won't work and here friends said the "motherboard died".
I'm skeptical about the mobo actually being dead, but if it is, how hard is it to replace a mobo in a laptop?

I'm wondering if it's worth repairing if it really is a dead mobo.
(I'm praying it's not an apple laptop, if so, straight to the garbage dump it goes)

ATMINSIDE · Mar 27, 2014

Depending on the model, difficult enough that its better to just buy a new laptop.

Silver_Pharaoh · Mar 27, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
Depending on the model, difficult enough that its better to just buy a new laptop.

Pretty much what I was thinking.....
Rats.

Well when I get it, I'll post here what make/model it is and if it's actually dead.

ATMINSIDE · Mar 27, 2014

Silver_Pharaoh said:
Pretty much what I was thinking.....
Rats.

Well when I get it, I'll post here what make/model it is and if it's actually dead.

Its mostly determined by whether you can get a service bulletin for it or not.
I had one for my XPS M1730 and it was relatively easy to work on because of that.

That said, smaller laptops, especially without a service bulletin, will be a pretty terrible job.
Also, if its already a few years old, the mainboard + time spent usually costs more than a new (faster) laptop will.

Silver_Pharaoh · Mar 27, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
Its mostly determined by whether you can get a service bulletin for it or not.
I had one for my XPS M1730 and it was relatively easy to work on because of that.

That said, smaller laptops, especially without a service bulletin, will be a pretty terrible job.
Also, if its already a few years old, the mainboard + time spent usually costs more than a new (faster) laptop will.

Thanks!

Well, time will tell, when the laptop shows up I can give you some more details on it.

ATMINSIDE · Mar 27, 2014

Silver_Pharaoh said:
Thanks!

Well, time will tell, when the laptop shows up I can give you some more details on it.

No problem bud, I'll watch for an update on this thread for when you get it.

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

Just got the Laptop now.

Acer Aspire VA70 (V3-771-6410)

Works fine... except no video on the screen.
Works fine when I attach my monitor to it thought :thup:

Hmmmm. Thoughts guys?

I'm home all next week, so if you think it's worth opening it up, I'll give it a shot!

EDIT: Got it! It's the backlight :-/

Seems like it went dead.......

ATMINSIDE · Apr 15, 2014

Needs an LCD panel then.

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
Needs an LCD panel then.

No chance that it's just a broken wire? (or Something that I can fix?

)

ATMINSIDE · Apr 15, 2014

If its showing a picture without the backlight, its most likely not a cable.

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
If its showing a picture without the backlight, its most likely not a cable.

Which it does.

So looking into this issue, there is a chance that it's just the "inverter" for the backlight.

~ $16 USD on amazon :shrug:

ATMINSIDE · Apr 15, 2014

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACER-ASPIRE...Laptop_Screens_LCD_Panels&hash=item258c4c5202

There you go.

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

Nice!

Too bad I just blew $140 on my mobo :-/

I'll see what I can do.

ATMINSIDE · Apr 15, 2014

That laptop is at least 2 years old already, make sure they wouldn't want to just get something new before tearing into this thing and spending a bunch of money.

Without a proper test shop its impossible to know 100% that the LCD will fix the issue.

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
That laptop is at least 2 years old already, make sure they wouldn't want to just get something new before tearing into this thing and spending a bunch of money.

Without a proper test shop its impossible to know 100% that the LCD will fix the issue.

They?
The previous owner?

AFAIK this is now mine to keep. Her dad bought her another new laptop. (Over $1000 I'm told

)

I'll have to open her up and see if it's the light or just that inverter.

ATMINSIDE · Apr 15, 2014

Oh, well just fix it and sell it then LOL!

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 15, 2014

ATMINSIDE said:
Oh, well just fix it and sell it then LOL!

Unless my parents want to use it :-/

Silver_Pharaoh · Apr 16, 2014

Okay, she's torn apart....

And I'm not sure how to test if the backlights themselves are gone, or if it's this inverter thingy.

The only part attached to the case is the screen, I haven't dis-assembled it yet.

I'll try to get some pics up for you, maybe you guys will have some insight on what the next step is?

EDIT: Pics, as promised.

As you can see, everything is in great shape. No burn marks, no signs of shorts..

So I'm thinking that I'd need a new screen.
Or since I have it still open, should I open up the screen and see if I find anything?

I can't buy any parts for it really, I have no money to put into this.
Then I have the issue of selling it.... No paypal, no heat and I've never shipped anything before :-/

Replacing a Laptop mobo??

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

ATMINSIDE

Sim Racing Aficionado Co-Owner

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

Silver_Pharaoh

Likes the big ones n00b Member

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