Call me Dr. Frankenstein...

Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop. The
machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us that
the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was something like
$145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We immediately
shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and luckily, no damage
was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper with an
on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his screen - to the point
where it looks like someone threw white paint on the lower right hand half
of the screen. He may have also physically hit the machine too because what
little of the screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard drive failure as
well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been fiddling
with computers since 1980 (including even building my own heathkit a very
long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines apart and at
least make one decent, working machine out of them (they are identical
machines, even if the boys are not identical twins).

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the screen? In
other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the donor?

Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more cents to
add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman

Bill Hileman wrote:
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop. The
machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us that
the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was something like
$145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We immediately
shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and luckily, no damage
was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper with an
on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his screen - to the point
where it looks like someone threw white paint on the lower right hand half
of the screen. He may have also physically hit the machine too because what
little of the screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard drive failure as
well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been fiddling
with computers since 1980 (including even building my own heathkit a very
long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines apart and at
least make one decent, working machine out of them (they are identical
machines, even if the boys are not identical twins).

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the screen? In
other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the donor?

Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more cents to
add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman


In most Dells the screen is easier to change than the motherboard. Since
you didn't say which model you have it's hard to be more specific. You
can go here and get the manuals for your machine and take a look at the
Service manual. There will be directions for disassembly.
http://support.dell.com/support/syst...2&~ subcat=84

Pen wrote:
Bill Hileman wrote:
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when
one of my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his
laptop. The machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us
that the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was
something like $145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We
immediately shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and
luckily, no damage was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper
with an on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his
screen - to the point where it looks like someone threw white paint
on the lower right hand half of the screen. He may have also
physically hit the machine too because what little of the screen I
can see at boot-up indicated a hard drive failure as well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been
fiddling with computers since 1980 (including even building my own
heathkit a very long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines
apart and at least make one decent, working machine out of them
(they are identical machines, even if the boys are not identical
twins). My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the
screen? In other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the
donor? Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more
cents to add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman


In most Dells the screen is easier to change than the motherboard.
Since you didn't say which model you have it's hard to be more
specific. You can go here and get the manuals for your machine and
take a look at the Service manual. There will be directions for
disassembly.
http://support.dell.com/support/syst...2&~ subcat=84

Outstanding, thanks Pen!

I just downloaded the Inspiron 1501 service manual. I figured it might be
easier to move the display but wasn't sure. I know swapping-out the hard
drive will be a piece of cake (or did I just curse myself?)

Hi!

accidentally spilled water on his laptop.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns
us that the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen)
was something like $145 (starting price) for repair.

That's actually not bad for a starting point. My brother recently
enjoyed a glass of water and shared it with his Macbook. It was the
only $500 glass of water he's ever had.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper
with an on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his
screen - to the point where it looks like someone threw white
paint on the lower right hand half of the screen. He may have
also physically hit the machine too because what little of the
screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard drive failure as
well.

Ouch! It sounds like these poor laptops lead very rough lives. And
while I'm certainly not one to tell anyone what to do with their
children, I might suggest that a lesson in how to treat computers be
delivered before things take a turn for the supremely expensive.

Or get some cheap used computers--I gave one of my younger brothers a
secondhand desktop (P3-1000/512MB/80GB) obtained for about $20, a $70
discount monitor and a secondhand copy of Windows 2000.

So... I have two disabled laptops.

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines
apart and at least make one decent, working machine out of them

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the
screen?

I think the screen change will be the way to go. You won't be tearing
into the machine as deeply to change the screen. And the dead hard
drive is not that serious of an issue--it's readily accessible on just
about every Dell laptop that I am familiar with (recent models only).

It also helps that Dell makes service manuals for their laptops
publicly available. These will tell you everything you need to know
about how to take your machine apart, and exchange the displays.

If it helps, you might take a look at my Latitude D800 fan page. It
shows some of the display cabling, and you might find it helpful:
http://12.203.82.104/d800fanrepair/

It is very, very important to use *good quality tools*. The Companion
or Craftsman brand hand tools from Sears are more than good enough if
there is a Sears or K-Mart store in your area.

William

Bill Hileman wrote:
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop.


SNIPPED


This why I tell people to never buy laptops for kids.

Bob

Bob Levine wrote:
Bill Hileman wrote:
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when
one of my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his
laptop.


SNIPPED


This why I tell people to never buy laptops for kids.

Bob

To-date, both my boys have spilled water on their laptops exactly the same
number of times that I have spilled water on my computers. It happens.

This is, however, why when I ordered a new laptop for my wife, I ordered a
Vostro. Actually, I give my wife credit for that. It's not water-proof
that I know of, but it is more water-resistant.

Considering that both boys are autistic, I am thrilled that the laptops
lasted as long as they have, actually. And, I don't regret buying them,
they've helped immensely in their development.

(I didn't take offense at your statement, by the way, I understand your
point-of-view)

first of all you did not mention the model of each of the two latops in your
story, or exactly what specific type of screen is in each.
laptop screens are far from universal and even the same model can come with
multiple types of screens of different resolutions that may also require you
to move the video card and inverter along with the display (more items that
tend to be machine specific).
your best bet is probably to get an external monitor to plug into the
working laptop with the cracked lcd. get an old fashioned crt type if you
expect more screen punching in the future

"Bill Hileman" wrote in message
...
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop. The
machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us that
the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was something like
$145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We immediately
shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and luckily, no damage
was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper with
an on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his screen - to the
point where it looks like someone threw white paint on the lower right
hand half of the screen. He may have also physically hit the machine too
because what little of the screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard
drive failure as well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been fiddling
with computers since 1980 (including even building my own heathkit a very
long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines apart and
at least make one decent, working machine out of them (they are identical
machines, even if the boys are not identical twins).

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the screen? In
other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the donor?

Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more cents
to add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman

first of all you did not mention the model of each of the two latops in your
story, or exactly what specific type of screen is in each.
laptop screens are far from universal and even the same model can come with
multiple types of screens of different resolutions that may also require you
to move the video card and inverter along with the display (more items that
tend to be machine specific).
your best bet is probably to get an external monitor to plug into the
working laptop with the cracked lcd. get an old fashioned crt type if you
expect more screen punching in the future

"Bill Hileman" wrote in message
...
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop. The
machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us that
the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was something like
$145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We immediately
shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and luckily, no damage
was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper with
an on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his screen - to the
point where it looks like someone threw white paint on the lower right
hand half of the screen. He may have also physically hit the machine too
because what little of the screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard
drive failure as well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been fiddling
with computers since 1980 (including even building my own heathkit a very
long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines apart and
at least make one decent, working machine out of them (they are identical
machines, even if the boys are not identical twins).

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the screen? In
other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the donor?

Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more cents
to add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman

"Bill Hileman" wrote in message
...
Bob Levine wrote:
Bill Hileman wrote:
Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when
one of my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his
laptop.


SNIPPED


This why I tell people to never buy laptops for kids.

Bob

To-date, both my boys have spilled water on their laptops exactly the same
number of times that I have spilled water on my computers. It happens.


snip


Yes it does. But not as frequently as one might think.

An external keyboard replacement would be far easier to replace and desktops
more ideal for your home environment (when you upgrade in the future).
Either that or purchase used/throwaway type laptops where the
repair/replacement hit is minimized.

Or maybe even forbid beverages in the area where a laptop will be used.

Certainly your choice though.


Stew

If the two laptops are identical models or in the same family, you will be able
to accomplish what you need to do with two small screwdrivers (one flat-bladed
and the other Philips). You need the Dell service manuals available, either
printed or on-line. Switch the good LCD screen onto the otherwise good computer
with a bad LCD. That's your best bet.

If the models are very different, forget about it.

As another poster suggested, your boys are better off with desktop or tower case
computers until they acquire more self-discipline. I suggest old-style CRT
monitors which are more rugged and often free, compared to LCD monitors. I
might also suggest old IBM 101-key keyboards, which take a beating and keep on
working... Ben Myers

On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:10:24 -0400, "Bill Hileman"
wrote:

Some of you might recall a post I made a couple of months back when one of
my twin sons (autistic) had accidentally spilled water on his laptop. The
machine was indeed fried, won't start up.

We haven't been able to afford getting it fixed, since Dell warns us that
the minimum charge (that involved mobo and/or screen) was something like
$145 (starting price) for repair.

Since that time, son #2 also spilled water on his laptop. We immediately
shut it down and hung it upside down for 24 hours, and luckily, no damage
was done to his.

However... a couple weeks after that, apparently he lost his temper with an
on-line game he was playing and apparently twisted his screen - to the point
where it looks like someone threw white paint on the lower right hand half
of the screen. He may have also physically hit the machine too because what
little of the screen I can see at boot-up indicated a hard drive failure as
well.

So... I have two disabled laptops. One with a likely bad mobo and/or
keyboard, the other with a bad screen and probably bad hard drive.

I am a programmer, so while I'm not a hardware expert, I've been fiddling
with computers since 1980 (including even building my own heathkit a very
long time ago).

I intend tomorrow or Sunday to take these two disabled machines apart and at
least make one decent, working machine out of them (they are identical
machines, even if the boys are not identical twins).

My question is, is it easier to change mobo's or change the screen? In
other words, which machine needs to be the donee and which the donor?

Anyone who's worked with laptops at this level who has two or more cents to
add are welcomed and appreciated.

THROW THE SWITCH, IGOR!!! GIVE MY CREATURE LIFE!!!!

Bill "Frisbee" Hileman