I would prefer not to pay Dell whatever ridiculous amount they will no doubt charge me for a new one. Please drop me some info, pictures, steps, whatever you can. If it's as easy as removing the busted motherboard and putting in a new one, I'm fully capable. Also, be sure to indicate if I will lose the stuff on my hard drive (I-Tunes, pictures, etc). I'd rather not so please send the appropriate steps. Again, thanks!!!!
2006-12-07 02:28:39 · 5 answers · asked by bulmer13 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
How does just a motherboard break? I am not sure if they are feeding you stuff, but if there is an issue with the motherboard then you may have other devices that no longer work. Whenever I have lost motherboards in the past they have always taken something with it. Most of the time the processor was fried, video card once, sound card once, and a ram chip as well.
Since you are replacing the motherboard the video card and sound card should be on it. Did they test the ram and the processor as well?
2006-12-07 02:36:26 · answer #1 · answered by chuck g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can find the exact same motherboard then you will be good to go. It is as simple as unplugging all cables and then plugging in on the new one. Carefully removing the CPU Heatsink and fan then the CPU - being very careful to not damage the CPU. Also the System Memory, and putting it on the new board. I am assuming the your OS is XP and that is why it is important to get the same MB. If you have to change the MB then the OS may not boot because of the Hardware configuration - you can try Safe Mode and then be able to back up your stuff to an external HD. If you have to change to a different MB, then you want to find one that will take the same memory, video (PCI-E or AGP) and CPU that way you save money - other than that, everything else can be re-used. You shouldn't lose the stuff on the Hard Drive either way you go. You can always put the current Hard Drive in another machine as a Slave Drive and pull off the data you want to save - or even purchase a 3.5" External HD enclosure and then you can hook it up USB to any computer/laptop and pull off the data. Hope this helps...
2006-12-07 10:38:22 · answer #2 · answered by Country 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"It seems that starting after September of 1998 Dell defected from the cause of industry standardization and began using specially modified Intel supplied ATX motherboards with custom wired power connectors. Of course they also had custom power supplies made that duplicated the non-standard pinout of the motherboard power connectors." *** Check with an expert if this is the case with your Dell. View the link below. And don't power up until your sure.(This may be old info.Check w/ the DCT)
2006-12-07 11:19:55 · answer #3 · answered by 1way2day 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will not lose anything. It's not very hard, it's hard to explain here, but if you just remember where everything goes you should be fine. There are a lot of screws, so keep track of them. You need to tear the entire thing apart...start with the keyboard and work your way from there. Be sure to remove the battery before working on it though.
2006-12-07 10:32:25 · answer #4 · answered by Yoi_55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
busted how? cracked bake light , broken peices?
or busted by the way of burned out components?
dude, if some one says your mother board is busted, get a whole lot more opinions first.
If that board is electricaly burned out, better find out it happened, and fix it first, so your new board does not toast as well
2006-12-07 10:50:15 · answer #5 · answered by duster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋