laptop tech people...motherboard question...

[makenzie71]

If I were to replace my inspiron 8600 motherboard with another inspiron 8600 motherboard, it should work just fine, right?  I shouldn't have to do anything else, correct?  No new software or installation or anything?  I'm using the same hard drive and such.  The video card may be replaced, too, but it will be the exact same model.

[ben2go]

I would think so since Dell use production intergraded mother boards.

[frankieG]

what about RAM? can u just plug that in?

[makenzie71]

yeah ram doesn't need any software or anything.

[frankieG]

i don't mean to hijack but does that mean i can take out the 512 stick and replace it with two newer 512 sticks?

[ben2go]

Your hard drive may reject the mother board because of the different serial numbers between 2 different boards.BIOS should be the same if you're using the same hardware and software as the replacement.

[makenzie71]

no need to take the old one out...a stick is a stick...if it works it isn't broken.  If you have two slots and your system can handle 1gb total then yeah you can just stab another stick in there.  But make sure your system can handle it.

I just cracked open my ,aptop and it has a thingy in it that has intel model number WM3A2200BG printed on it...which is supposed to be a wireless adapter.  Does that mean this computer is supposed to have abuilt in antenna and shaZam! or do I still have to run a wireless pcmcia card?

Ben, how would I change the serial numbers to match?

[frankieG]

as far as i know wireless adapters don't need to have antenae however some do

[mach1]

Regarding your OG post yes you can replace your MoBo with any motherboard you desire AS long as the chipset is the same.

[makenzie71]

mach can you explain the chipset thing to me?  I can take shaZam! apart and usually see a physical defect, repair said physical defect, and re-assemble everything correctly with my limited knowledge but I have no idea what anything is called.

[scottpA_GS]

only issue would be if you have XP. You may need to "tatto" your PC so that XP does not think its in another computer  hence "illegal" XP recognizes your hardware and may not work as "registered software" if new Mobo is installed.

[makenzie71]

Welll...the pc is XP.  How do I "tatoo" the pc or get around it?

[ohgood]

Welll...the pc is XP.  How do I "tatoo" the pc or get around it?

i've just finished tearing apart two powerbooks (macs rock).  the hardware stuff is kinda fun for me. let's answer a few questions at once:

yes, you can just swap mobo's, provided they're the same vender like gigabyte/dell/gayway/whoever and the same basic model number. take lots of pictures during the process, and use a loooong strip of masking/wahtever tape on the clean, well lighted table for screws, in order. it helps

when it comes to your infection of choice (xp), yes, you will likely be confronted with the hardware change re-activation sequence. the easy way is to call microsoft, and explain what you've just done. they'll read off a million digits that you'll need to input to the prompt on the screen, and all will be as it was before the mobo swap.

OR

you can do what most people do, backup your stuff that matters, download a cracked (no activation, ever) version of xp sp2 (or sp3 whatever it's up to now) and not have to worry about activation again.

keep your windows machine updated, get an external drive to dump backups to, and do it regular. then when the next mobo/hd/whatever fails, you can image your stuff onto the 'new' pc easily. 40Gb in 55 minutes = an easy way to backup/restore

as far as ram goes, unless your ram is ECC, any old pc2100/pc2700/whatever will do. you'll want to make sure you buy ECC registered, and in pairs, but I doubt anyone has a dual processor laptop (unless it's dual core) and the server guys already know this.

buy the ram in pairs, same speed/timings/etc and you'll have much better results.

when you get your mobo installed (or ram, or whatever) there is a nice and free tool called memtest86 (google finds it on the first hit) and let it run overnight. it will let you know if your ram is faulty, and prevent corrupting a ton of stuff you don't want corrupted.

harddrives are a dime a dozen (ok, almost) and if you really want a SAFE laptop, look into a SSD (solid state drive) to replace the normal spinning harddrive. they're a little pricey, but the speed is better, the longevity MUCH better, and they are much less affected by G forces. like 100x-300x less affected. google 'solid state drive' for an idea. pricewatch.com has prices.

if anyone is in the market for a laptop, check craigslist. i picked up a couple of macs for $500 total that handle leopard just fine. the mac clones (dell/whoever) are dirt cheap there, and usually come with licenses for xp/vista/whatever that you can ebay for a recoup on the price of the laptop. ka-ching

ok, no don't go burnin up yer stuff without backups !

backup now, backup often, backup offsight !

[scottpA_GS]

Yep.. Ohgood got it.

Mostly I would bet after the swap XP wont give you a problem anyway

. Its more a a desktop(pc) issue because you can use so many different mobo's in em. Laptops are pretty much stuck w/ using the OEM one.

keep track of all the tiny ass screws 

[makenzie71]

I won't have too much issue...I bought basically the same laptop but without the optical, screen, or hard drive.  It's identical to the original in make, model and spec.

[scottpA_GS]

Yep, should be no problem.. Be extra careful w/ the ribbon cables that connect the screen, keypad, etc... 

and did i mention... WATCH THE LITTLE SCREWS!