Should I just bury it? (Compaq Notebook 1720US)

[Pepperonidog]

I think I'm about to throw in the towel on my notebook after experiencing ongoing problems since day one (too many to mention . . )

The problem is that I just don't have the bucks for a new notebook right now.

Maybe I can breath some life into it??? (just another year??? pretty please?)

Here's the deal: A diagnostic was performed by a reputable professional repair company. I was told that I needed to replace the mother board and fan (to the tune of $850.) This would be well and fine if I hadn't already replaced the main system board, fan, LCD panel, sub Board I/0, and Top Cover just 7 months ago. (HP completed the repair through Radio Shack - warranty period ended in May).

Mind you - there was nothing wrong with the fan at the time - it was just not an approved HP fan.

In fact, I have had the fan and system board replaced at least 4 times in 5 years (I had an extended warranty through Circuit City but they failed to fully repair the thing every time I sent it back (it started acting up just a couple of months after I brought it home).

My question today - I found a mother board and fan online for $440 total -

So, how would I go about replacing this myself??? Is it hard to do? (I have replaced parts in my desktop computer before). Is there a manual or something? Is it worth a try????

Your help and advice is greatly appreciated!!!

[him61]

Depending on how old it is, I'd say just throw in the towel... save up for another notebook and buy one from ibuypower or something similar. Unless you need a notebook within the time it takes to save up for one...

And BTW, Welcome to TechIMO!!!

I just had to make a similar choice recently. My PSU burned up in a dell and took the motherboard with it (hence the sig). It would have costed $100+ to replace those two parts, and more if anything else was lost. I decided that it was too much to be spending on such an old computer, so I threw in the towel.

I see now that you've had it for 5 years... IMO $440 is a bit high for a repair for a laptop that has lasted this long...Notebooks can be had for such prices I believe, and would probably be better that that notebook if you just replace the mainboard yourself...

[HeadBand]

according to the compaq site this is a pIII based system

for $440 its not worth it

here is an entire similar system for less---not that I would reccomend getting something like this
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...R31-2C&cat=NBB

If you wait for the right deal to come around $600-$700 can get you a very nice dell with a core duo

[Pepperonidog]

Originally Posted by HeadBand

according to the compaq site this is a pIII based system

for $440 its not worth it

here is an entire similar system for less---not that I would reccomend getting something like this
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...R31-2C&cat=NBB

If you wait for the right deal to come around $600-$700 can get you a very nice dell with a core duo

Thanks for helping me. I saw the ad for the Dell on TV and was wondering if that would be a better bet. Since I last posted my question, I found a mother board for $294.00 and a fan for $20. Problem is that I have no idea how to replace a motherboard save for my own logic which would be to disconnect everything (and remember where it all gets connected - maybe take a picture or something....) - then reconnect it again.
At this point, I would have to get a motherboard for under $200 to make it worth the band-aid effort. Thanks for your feedback....

[Mickwish]

Taking apart a laptop is not for the faint hearted, and it's best to have a service manual with diagrams. Not sure how easy it is to get Dell manuals (for free), so it may not be worth the hassle as already mentioned. And a PIII is hardly woirth much as it is....

I repaired a PIII Thinkpad (T23: 900Mhz, 512MB RAM, 20Gb HDD) by installing a new LCD panel recently, IBM had a service manual (free) on their site, so it was pretty straightforward. And the panel wasn't that expensive, so it was worth it. My daughter now uses it.

You'll have to weigh up all possible costs, and the risk if it doesn't work, and compare them to getting another laptop, even second-hand. Good luck.

Cheers
Mick

[no1_vern]

Hi Pepperonidog!

Welcome to TechIMO! First of like has been said replacing parts on a lappy can be pretty hair raising. Since you can get a run of the mill Dell laptop for $485HERE(Aug 30th/2006) I suggest you buy new.

The old Laptop? Take it apart and sell the parts. The screen alone would probably go in the 150-200 range(depending on its quality/resolution), the hard drive(make sure you erase any info) for another ~50, and the Cd-rom or dvd-rom for another 60-70.

[PoonDoggy]

Originally Posted by no1_vern

Hi Pepperonidog!

Welcome to TechIMO! First of like has been said replacing parts on a lappy can be pretty hair raising. Since you can get a run of the mill Dell laptop for $485HERE(Aug 30th/2006) I suggest you buy new.

The old Laptop? Take it apart and sell the parts. The screen alone would probably go in the 150-200 range(depending on its quality/resolution), the hard drive(make sure you erase any info) for another ~50, and the Cd-rom or dvd-rom for another 60-70.

If you do that make sure you low-level <or zero out> the hard drive at least 8 times to write over any info on the drive itself.

I agree with buying a new laptop due to prices being so low. CompUSA has a CTO <Configure To Order> Compaq for $299.99 after Instant Savings and MIR. Granted it is a very basic system but is still faster than what you got.

Oh and Welcome to TechIMO...Enjoy your stay

[SeanC]

Now-a-days it's not worth replacing big-ticket items on laptops that are several years old. Especially since you can buy a more powerful one for the price of the big-ticket item.