Motherboard Problems

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

My laptop recently broke, so I took it in to some computer
specialists, and they told me that the motherboard went bad, and it
can't find the hard drive, so therefore it is impossible to startup.
They told me it would be $600 to get it replaced, but i knew that was
BS. I was wondering if anyone out there could help me find a new
compatible motherboard to buy for under $300.

I'm sure you need the system specs, but i don't have them because of
my situation. I went to the IBM website and found out what i could,
which wasn't much:

P(entium)3 MHz (256KB) 64MB RAM 20.0 GB 14.1 TFT 1024x768 8x-2x DVD,
3Com Combo, Win98

IBM Thinkpad Laptop A21m type 2628

I have it upgraded to Win XP pro, if that makes any difference.

I want one that will also support a LAN (adelphia), and a modem(for
when i'm not @ home)
Also, the warranty is long gone, so i have no help from IBM

Please post if you need more system specs and know how to find them
out

Help will be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jakdedert wrote:

>
> "MikeNFL15" <MikeNFL15@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
> news:41d5c1ff$1_2@alt.athenanews.com...
>> My laptop recently broke, so I took it in to some computer
>> specialists, and they told me that the motherboard went bad, and it
>> can't find the hard drive, so therefore it is impossible to startup.
>> They told me it would be $600 to get it replaced, but i knew that was
>> BS. I was wondering if anyone out there could help me find a new
>> compatible motherboard to buy for under $300.
>>
>> I'm sure you need the system specs, but i don't have them because of
>> my situation. I went to the IBM website and found out what i could,
>> which wasn't much:
>>
>> P(entium)3 MHz (256KB) 64MB RAM 20.0 GB 14.1 TFT 1024x768 8x-2x DVD,
>> 3Com Combo, Win98
>>
>> IBM Thinkpad Laptop A21m type 2628
>>
>> I have it upgraded to Win XP pro, if that makes any difference.
>>
>> I want one that will also support a LAN (adelphia), and a modem(for
>> when i'm not @ home)
>> Also, the warranty is long gone, so i have no help from IBM
>>
>> Please post if you need more system specs and know how to find them
>> out
>>
>> Help will be greatly appreciated!!!!!
>
>
> You could have posted more spec's, but the upshot is that you will likely
> only be able to replace what's already there.
>
> Ebay for a broken laptop of the same model. You'll need some technical
> acumen to swap out the motherboard, but it can be done. I've done it, and
> probably many others who post here have as well.
>
> Keep in mind that you need a laptop with a good motherboard (ONLY). Any
> other pieces you get with the deal will either sweeten the deal--to keep
> as
> spares in case anything else breaks--or just be useless expenditure. The
> only bits that might be immediately useful would be a second working
> battery, more memory (if you've got free slots), or a spare power
> supply...perhaps a better optical drive than the one you have.
>
> You can get modem and LAN capabilities with USB or PCMCIA add-ons. If the
> original motherboard did not have these capabilities built in (unless they
> were optional, and included whatever deal you locate), then the new one
> won't have them either.

When you have your machine in hand, go to the IBM site, go to support, and
plug in the model number, which should be on the bottom, then see what
documents are available. One should be a service manual and another should
be a parts list, if it's not included in the service manual. From this you
can get the FRU numbers for planar boards that will fit your case. Then
you can try ebaying them, or ebaying for your model of laptop.

If you're looking for a third-party board, not from IBM, fuhgeddaboudid.
>
> jak
>>

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

The A21's still bring pretty good money.. Also theres a chance you
dont need motherboard replacement if you would like to send it in we
will diagnose it free. I do have an IBM motherboard here also w/700
Mhz CPU that may be compatable.. Will have to look at the
serial/model.
Ken
www.ikenfixit.com