Laptop Compaq Presario 1800T (smoke from AC port)
Hi there,
Newbie on this site trying to get some expert advice. Quick background, i'm an intermediate software/hardware user so my questions are pretty specific.
On Mon, I plugged in my AC adapter and started the comp. In 10 mins, smoke appeared from the AC port/network port area (right next to each other). I quickly removed the AC port, allowed the sys to cool and disassembled it to see if the MB was fried.
To the naked eye, there was no obvious burn marks to the board. I am also able to boot the computer from the battery alone (although the battery only has 2-3mins of power - separate issue).
Took it to a service center, and w/o even testing the battery to see if the MB works, told me that the MB was fried, so I obviously don't trust them.
My q's are the following:
1) Though the battery has pretty much zero juice, I can start the computer and almost load into Windoze before the power dies. If the MB was really fried, I wouldn't be able to even start the computer right? If I run the laptop on a charged battery alone (w/o the AC adapter plugged in) do I run the risk of frying the board?
2) I strongly believe that the AC connector is the only problem and probably needs to be replaced (new connector costs like 8 bucks). I'd like to determine this on my own instead of taking it to another technician and be fed the same bs. How can I determine if only the AC connector is damaged or if the MB is truly fried? What equipment will I need?
3) Assuming the connector is the only problem, is it possible for me to take out the old chip and solder in a new one on my own? This would be a first, so how should I go about doing this? Again, what equipment and resources should I use.
4) In the event that the board is dead, I will probably buy a new comp. How can I transfer the contents from my laptop HD (works fine) to a new hard drive or even just burn it into CDs?
Thanks!!
BTW - the unit is 4 yrs old so no warranty available!
Newbie on this site trying to get some expert advice. Quick background, i'm an intermediate software/hardware user so my questions are pretty specific.
On Mon, I plugged in my AC adapter and started the comp. In 10 mins, smoke appeared from the AC port/network port area (right next to each other). I quickly removed the AC port, allowed the sys to cool and disassembled it to see if the MB was fried.
To the naked eye, there was no obvious burn marks to the board. I am also able to boot the computer from the battery alone (although the battery only has 2-3mins of power - separate issue).
Took it to a service center, and w/o even testing the battery to see if the MB works, told me that the MB was fried, so I obviously don't trust them.
My q's are the following:
1) Though the battery has pretty much zero juice, I can start the computer and almost load into Windoze before the power dies. If the MB was really fried, I wouldn't be able to even start the computer right? If I run the laptop on a charged battery alone (w/o the AC adapter plugged in) do I run the risk of frying the board?
2) I strongly believe that the AC connector is the only problem and probably needs to be replaced (new connector costs like 8 bucks). I'd like to determine this on my own instead of taking it to another technician and be fed the same bs. How can I determine if only the AC connector is damaged or if the MB is truly fried? What equipment will I need?
3) Assuming the connector is the only problem, is it possible for me to take out the old chip and solder in a new one on my own? This would be a first, so how should I go about doing this? Again, what equipment and resources should I use.
4) In the event that the board is dead, I will probably buy a new comp. How can I transfer the contents from my laptop HD (works fine) to a new hard drive or even just burn it into CDs?
Thanks!!
BTW - the unit is 4 yrs old so no warranty available!
0
Comments
i mean whats the worst case scenario? you botch the job and ruin the motherboard that all the tech guys already seem to agree is broken?