Daddy Dee Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 OK. Laptop is a Dell 9100 (desktop replacement type) laptop. It suffered a small keyboard spill (grrr), and functions normally, except that the modem and audio have failed. I did order and install a replacement modem, which did not fix the problem so I've been considering sending it off for repair. There are a number of laptop repair shops with internet listings. The one I've been checking out is laptoprepair.com. In describing the problem, they think they can repair the problem for $200 parts and labor. of course, they haven't seen the laptop and are assuming they can repair the motherboard. Can a motherboard be "repaired". I'd assumed that a motherboard replacement would be necessary, but would be happy if it's not required. Inquiring about price if motherboard replacement is required would cost $600 - $700 parts and labor. This is about what a good deal of this same computer would cost used on Ebay. Any thoughts appreciated. Any recommendations as to laptop repair places also appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 to be honest it might be worth it to clean out the motherboard. Just use some alchol and some q tips the connections might be bad. Also one funny thing is water well atleast in purest form is not that conductive. Its just when coffee, soda, gatorade things with electrolytes(salts) hit it. I have spilt water on my laptop, all I did was let it dry in 2 hours it turned on but kept shutting off. In 8 hours it worked fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 25, 2006 Author Share Posted January 25, 2006 Jay, Thanks. Hadn't thought about that. That may be what the tech is thinking about doing. Since getting under the hood to replace the modem.... I may have been up against my limit on what I could do in a diy type service for the little rascal. Folks, any other recommendations? I could use some help here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I have a dell 8200 inspiron that I believe the devil has control.... The wireless card would not be supposedly connected but I have internet? Also when it was connnected it was not recieving a signal. Also one time the bugger wouldn't turn on? I felt it was the switch as no current of fan noise turned. I opened it up and made sure all the connections were proper and what do you know I had an extra screw but no visible screws missing. But it worked for some reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I suspect either it will require only the cleaning of connectors to "repair" you motherboard, or it will require replacement of the motherboard (assuming a replacement is available). Any real repair is likely going to require the ability to remove and replace surface mount components (assuming the components are available), something that most "repair" facilities do not have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor.Ham.Slap Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 A cheaper option would be to add an external sound card. I know Creative makes a few nice options and would keep you from having to replace your motherboard. On top of that, the external card more than likely will have better quality sound output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 26, 2006 Author Share Posted January 26, 2006 Gentlemen, Thanks. This feedback is helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Daddy Dee did your other laptop with the monitor problem get fixed or solved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 26, 2006 Author Share Posted January 26, 2006 Jay, Sort of. Interesting enough, it is a Dell 8200. I am able to use a very nice 19" flat panel monitor. However, so far I can only make it function as an extension of the desktop. I can drag apps from the laptop over to this one, so that is acomplishing most of what i wanted to do. Also using a wireless keyboard and mouse with it. I should be able to toggle the VGA out as the main display from the keyboard, but that function is not working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 did you see my prior post on your original post? drag the monitor 2 over monitor one. That should mirror the monitors instead of having it side by side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 27, 2006 Author Share Posted January 27, 2006 Yeh, I've been trying that. Only result is to snap back in 1-2 order or reverse order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 what graphics card is it? If it is the ati, then you can goto advance and turn on the computer monitor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 27, 2006 Author Share Posted January 27, 2006 nVidia. I've been through the menus there and don't locate anything helpful. the really strange thing is that the video works just like I'd like for it to in SAFE mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 I'm sorry I am not too familiar with the nvidia card on a laptop as both my laptops use the ati. I would check the dell website and nvidia's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriton Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 Hey Dee, I have the same laptop...if it does that in SAFE mode, it is a driver issue, go get the latest driver from the Dell site, or do a little research for post Dell Nvidia drivers (there are a couple of Inspiron guys that have sites where they keep vid drivers for games and stuff like that, you can probably get a much faster and more recent driver form one of these site, just be careful)... Then use the FN+F8 button (orwhat ever the combo is, you can tell from the little blue letters on it, says CRT/LCD or something like that on the top number row), to change the video monitor output... K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 27, 2006 Author Share Posted January 27, 2006 Kriton, Thanks. That makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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