melting

There's a big problem with my laptop, it's a Compaq Presario M2000. A few nights ago, when I had my ac adaptor in my laptop, it started to melt the tip of the charger. My mom bought another charger, same thing happened. My battery isn't really hot or anything, just the metal part inside the laptop. (Sorry... I really don't know what most things are called for a computer, but I do have enough common sense what to do and not what to do with a computer.) What I want to know if the problem is easy to fix. Circuit City said they could fix it, but there's a possibility that all my information would be lost. That's including my virus protection and what not.


I'm sorry if this is the wrong thread... I'm new to this website.

 

Well take your harddrive out of it and then have them fix it that will fix the issue of you losing everything. harddrive is easy to take out usualy just few screws.

 

What? Man, he's not having a hard drive problem, he's having a problem with the power connector on his motherboard melting the AC adaptor tip when he plugs it in. If you mean he should back up his data, then yes, he should do that. But if he sends them a laptop without a hard drive, it would either void his warranty or result in them telling him to put it back so they can diagnose the problem.

My advice: burn all your data onto CD/DVD's, or a 1GB USB key if you have one of those, and send the laptop in as soon as possible along with the melted AC adapter. Either the voltage is wrong on your adapter(s), or your motherboard is short circuiting something around the power input port. Sorry to hear of your problem, but Compaq Presarios are notoriously cheap in construction (and price). Send it in ASAP, you are risking personal injury and a fire.

 

Thankyou so much for your advice. I know, the laptop isn't the best in the world, but what I do use it for does what it's suppose to. I wouldn't want to take it apart either, since there's a chance I could mess something up. Really, I wanted to know if there was a chance of all my information erasing. I am going to back up all of it onto a dvd or something. How much are the 1GB USB key things...? I bet a little high. I haven't used my laptop since with another adaptor so I won't burn down my house. Thanks again for all the information.
(I'm a girl--- not important though.)

 

Wouldn't they return it if I didn't have the harddrive in. I get what you're saying, though. Thanks though.

 

When you send them your laptop, one of the first things they try is wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows. So don't send it in unless you back up everything you want first. If you buy a 1GB USB flash key from a local store such as CompUSA or Circuit City, they should cost about $20-$40 depending on brand and type. It's cheaper if you get it online though, through Buy.com or Newegg.com. Just explain to the salesperson that you just need a key to ferry some documents and media between two computers, and he/she should get you the right one. They're pretty handy to have around, so it's not a wasted investment. Of course, if you are looking for archiving (store and forget), then nothing beats a CD or DVD for price and reliability. Get a Fujifilm CD or DVD that's made in Japan (important), those are the best kind.

 

I don't have enough battery to back up everything so I was thinking to take it to a local computer store so they'll do it. Can they take out the harddrive out and put it into another computer so they can save it? I don't know... the information isn't worth it probably... it'd just suck if it's gone. I bought dvd-rw today. Thanks again.

 

here is a link to the service manual for your computer:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00637377.pdf

Seriously it's like a 60-sec thing to remove the HDD...just flip it over, remove the battery then a few screws on the HHD coverplate and slip the HDD out...you don't even have to replace the coverplate just note that you removed the HDD and coverplate when you take it in...

This really is a no-brainer anyone can do...

 

Thankyou, but I doubt I could still keep the warranty on the thing if I took it to the place I usually go to ask for help on it.

 

you bet!! btw, it won't void your warranty to remove the HDD they are user replacable parts on the computer...

I hope it's just the DC jack (power jack) and not the motherboard or power controller chip. BTW, if it is still under warranty I would insist on complete placement of the motherboard. That would eliminate the chance a flaky dc jack caused more problems on the MB. Plus I am not sure even authorized service centers can replace a power jack and not void the warranty.

good luck on the repairs!!!

 

HDD is harddrive right? Sorry... I must sound so stupid. What does complete placement of the motherboard mean? I understand everything else. Thanks

 

i think he meant take out the hard drive and sent the rest of the notebook to HP so they can fix the notebook without the Hard Drive so they wont look into the hard drive. plus the melting does not have anything to do with the hard drive

 

Ah ok. Thanks so much. Even with my warranty they won't care? I really hope they won't even touch the harddrive and wipe everything. Thanks again.

 

Yes, HDD is the hard drive.

And I believe he means 'complete replacement of the motherboard.'

 

Yeah, I assumed that he meant harddrive but I wanted to be sure. Thanks though.

 

hi lenore:

yeah, HDD = hard disk drive (sorry for the jargon...habit...winkwink)

As for the motherboard replacement. What is sounds like is wrong is the connector where the power supply attaches to the computer is damaged. This is called the DC Jack. This jack may or may not be directly attached to the motherboard (main board for the computer).

If the DC jack is permenantly attached there are two options. First completely replace the motherboard or two replace the DC Jack. The latter option requires taking a soldering iron to the motherboard to remove the old jck and install the replacement.

If the DC jack is attached via a cable to the motherboard then it might not be necessary to completely replace the motherboard. Just the cable and dc jack assembly will need to be replaced

This is why I would ask them for an explaination of what they intend to replace. It is also why they really do not need the HDD in place when they work on the system.

A thought just cam to mind. It is possible they might decide to swap systems if the problem is the motherboard. Since this is Short Circuit City one never knows what their tech knows or their policy on warranty work. If you have important data on the system simply tell them they need to remove the drive and give it to you for safe keeping until the repair is complete. That way they cannot trade systems w/o swapping HDD's.

This is a good reason to get the on-site form of warranty...it happens where you can observe what is being done. Something to consider for future systems you buy.

Hope that makes some sense...sorry it got complicated...

 

Thanks, I just had to be sure on what everything meant. I'm sending it into HP when their special box arrives. If everything has to be wiped, so be it. I just would hate to regain everything. Somethings I won't be able to get again. Thanks.

 

ahhhh...ok, I thought I read it was the folks at Short-Circuit City doing the work. Now it makes more sense...they will fix it correctly. And actually you can call HP to ask them if they need the HDD in the machine. I found with Dell they usually prefer the drive be removed before shipping for a repair.

Given the nature of your problem they might not want the drive as my guess is it's sorta-kinda rare for a HDD to cause a melt-down on the power adapter. If there is anything that really matters I would take some time to call and ask.

BTW, odds are it will be FINE left in the machine but if they do a system swap the old drive might not make it back into the replacement system. It can sometimes happen.

Hope it all works out for the best. I bet it does.

 

Good luck! Hope they get the problem fixed, let us know if you have any more questions or problems.

 

Thanks. I'm so glad that you gave your opinion on everything. It has really helped. I'm not really technical at all for a teenager and I really love all my things that are on my computer. Thanks again.

 

Thanks. I will defiently come back if I needed help. Thanks again.

 

Guess what. I got my laptop back yesterday, but somethign was wrong. Is it normal for it to cut off twice in the same day. The on button was still on too. The last time it turned off I couldn't get it back on. I'm scanning now with avast! and earlier with Webroot Spy Sweeper. Nothing came up. So... I'm just paranoid.. sorry.