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    XPS M1730 Motherboard issues (Technical Level 10/10)

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by copper7op, Dec 10, 2012.

  1. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    So I bought an XPS M1730 today, 4GB ram, 2 hard drives (320/250) and dual 8700's. I paid 100 bucks, the guy claimed the charger wasn't working. I brought my Alienware M14X cord, but it didn't fit. So I took a shot in the dark and bought it (parts alone are almost worth it). the power supply lights up (blue LED) and instantly goes dark when you plug it into the board.

    So I tested the power supply with a volt meter, its working fine (really not surprised) so I take it apart. Apparently there are DC transformers inside the laptop, usually right by the jack that clean up the power/transform it, etc.

    So I look the board all over, and I'm not seeing the transformers mentioned. Does ANYONE know which ones I should be looking for? They're suppose to be surface mount soldered points.

    I can take a high res photo if that helps. I really want this laptop repaired, one of my friends has 0 money this christmas and wants to get his son a laptop/gaming system

    Thanks.
     
    copper7op, Dec 10, 2012
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  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    I don't think you will find anyone on these boards with the expertise to do this kind of SMD level repair (although I encourage someone to prove me wrong for sure!). Even then, the time it takes for you to identify and replace the relevant components will probably be worth more than the $60 it takes to buy a working board.

    That being said, I'd be more concerned that after you repair/replace the board, you'll find out that the 8700s are bad, because that is a much more common issue.
     
    Commander Wolf, Dec 10, 2012
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  3. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Burnt out 8700's can be reflowed if thats the issue. An M1730 motherboard is a LOT more than 60 bucks...
     
    copper7op, Dec 10, 2012
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  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Commander Wolf, Dec 10, 2012
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  5. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Looks like I'll be hitting the ebays :) Thanks. I still want to fix this, lol
     
    copper7op, Dec 10, 2012
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  6. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Did you try taking the dual 8700's out and then plug the power supply in and see if the light still goes out?

    Easy way to check if the GPUs are causing the problem.

    Dead GPUs can cause some really strange symptoms.

    And imagine spending $60 on a new mobo if you didn't need one.
     
    moral hazard, Dec 10, 2012
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