Computer help: need new motherboard?

[sellersm]

Son-in-law's working on our old Asus k53z-1bsx laptop. Wanted to upgrade the CPU, drive, etc. He says it won't boot up, will power up the USB ports, but won't even get to the POST Bios bootup. He's thinking that the motherboard's bad.

Thoughts? Any leads on an older Asus motherboard?

Thanks!

[TFOGGER]

I'm betting on a bad power supply/connection or a loss of heatsink on the CPU, either one will present the issues you describe.

Motherboards are cheap an plentiful on fleabay...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_fro...%20motherboard

Honestly, you can find pretty good laptops brand new under $400, so upgrading rarely makes sense, other than adding RAM or possibly upgrading to a solid state drive.

[cstone]

Motherboards on laptops are the line I don't cross when it comes to upgrades or repairs. The boards are cut to fit the case and if the laptop is more than three years old, you would be better served in picking up a newer laptop. Power supplies and screens are on the line as to cost effectiveness to replacing. RAM and hard drives are usually simple depending on the make and model of laptop. Craigslist has always been a pretty good source for newer laptops and every once in a while, a deal can be had here.

Do you have another working computer? If you do, you can get an adapter and hook the laptop hard drive to the working computer and pull off any data or do a complete backup.

[fitz19d]

Friends don't let friends use labtops as serious computers. It's some of why I love tablets as a alternative for at work, living room use etc, with a dedicated desktop in an office.

Others have covered why replacing certain parts etc are a pita. I would add I'm not brave enough with CL computers. Between chance of being stolen or other hinkiness... Many don't bother posting any kind of actual parts lists.