Extreme case of bad luck, please read

I didn't know where else to post this, but I felt the need to share my story . Here's my equipment

Sager NP9262
2.83Ghz Quad-core
4GB of RAM
320GBx2
Dual GeForce 9800m GT in SLi

So today, I turned on my computer like any other day and was surfing the net before getting to work. Then all of the sudden, it began to stutter and all the colors changed. Finally, it completely froze. I figured it was weird, but nothing to worry about. So I just rebooted, thinking things would be ok. I was wrong. I rebooted but the screen remained black. It booted up completely normally though. I knew this because I heard the sound to prompt me for my password into windows 7. Just out of curiosity, I entered it and sure enough, I signed in (based on the sounds I heard). Interestingly though, the screen was still black. I rebooted again. Same problem. I rebooted SEVERAL TIMES, even removed the battery, no luck. Tried hooking it up to my projector, no luck.

At this point, I don't know what to do, I'm losing my mind. All of my research is on this computer and I didn't have access to it. At this point, I thought, maybe a wire came loose or something. So I took the computer apart. COMPLETELY APART! Found NOTHING wrong. I put it back together, but now, it wouldn't boot at all. I'm freaking out now cause I'm thinking I made it worse. However, I've taken apart laptops before, I've replaced motherboards, hell, I've even replaced components soldered on motherboards and I never screwed them up any worse than they already were. So, at wits end, I decide to take it apart again. Now here's where I realize how bad my luck was.

Instead of taking it apart completely, I just looked at the critical components. First the HDDs, they look fine. Cooling fans, fine. CPU, all good. RAM, beautiful. Now... the GPUs...

I pulled out GPUs and I noticed something near the slot. I thought it was a piece of plastic from the case or something, I dunno. To my dismay...

IT WAS A PIECE OF LEAD FROM A MECHANICAL PENCIL ! It was sitting under the GPU right across the area where the GPU enters the slot.

I have spent the last 6 hours switching the cards around, removing the SLi cable, etc. As of right now, I can not boot up into windows 7 anymore (dual boot with XP). XP is finally running with one of the cards (removed the other), but it is not using the card at all. All the image processing is being taken care of by the CPU. Interestingly though, it won't even boot unless at least one is there. I've managed to transfer all my research files to another machine.

I am so distraught and upset right now. If this isn't bad luck, I don't know what is. At this point, I can't tell if just one or both of my GPUs are fried and if the slots on the motherboard are fried. I spent way too much money on this machine to lose such a significant portion of performance to something so stupid.

I know everyone probably knows this, but keep all foreign objects away from your computer. And it might be a good idea to take it apart and "shake it down" every now and then. I have no idea how a piece of lead got inside my computer, but there's no doubt as to what it is and what caused this.

Just needed to share and inform people so that they could possibly prevent this, however unlikely it is.

I mean, what are the freakin odds man? :cry:

My super laptop is no more :cry:

 

How old is this system? Don't you still have some warranty on it?

 

October 2008, I believe the warranty is only 1 year.

 

That's not bad luck OP, that's negligance on the part of someone that worked on your computer. So I maybe you can track them down and make them pay.

Anyway, since there's not much anyone can say or do beyond that, I guess the only saving grace is to know that you're not alone.

I don't know if you have a backup computer, but when I clumsily spilled a whole glass of Gatorade on mine, I was devistated. Even though I was able to reboot it after a couple of days drying time, it was never quite the same, and eventually did die about a month later. I hope my little story lets you know these things happen.

My condolence.

 

I would still call Sager or your reseller, just in case. Get an estimate. That just sucks.

 

sounds like someone tried to pencil mod it.. badly

 

unlucky man that indeed sucks

 

I'd guess find local computer repair shop. Or find one online and mail it to them. Maybe find some local guy who knows what he is doing-on craigslist.

I had some pieses of walnut shells in my laptop. I know that because I used to crack nuts near it and then started hearing some small pieces inside the laptop. Then I sold it and bought new one (see my sig). Not to get rid of the shells- to upgrade.


Cleaning inside of your laptop is not as easy as desktops. But you should be find a guide how to open your laptop safely on these forums. Regular cleaning ( 1 time a year for me) is a must - cause of the dust. I leave my laptop open on my table all the time. The insides start to heat more.

 

i hope you got insurance on that, or that your home contents insurance will cover it, cos thats some serious bad luck mate. unlucky. i feel for you.