Spilled water on Lenovo 3000 n100 - can I use a mini PCI-E to USB card?

[Infection]

Hi guys,

I accidentally spilled water on my Lenovo 3000 n100. The keyboard fortunately still works, but originally the speakers didn't, although they worked now. However right now, my laptop doesn't recognize any USB devices. It'll work for like 5 minutes and then stop working, with a bunch of error messages popping up saying that the USB device is not recognized.

I did a little search and apparently I might be able to fix my USB-less problem by using a mini PCI-E to USB card. Just to confirm, my laptop does have a slot free for a mini PCI-E right? I'm not very tech-inclined so I'm not familiar with these things. Would a mini PCI-E to USB card thingy enable me to use USB ports once more? Are there any such items out there that you guys could recommend? Would this also be easy to install on my own?

I'd really appreciate the help. I'm on a really tight budget and am not looking to buy a new motherboard or a laptop for that matter.

Thanks in advance!

[alexmia]

Hello,

What you need to do is disassemble the whole laptop and remember where each screw goes. Take out motherboard and all other boards. Wash everything except memory and processor in water, then in alcohol, then blow with an air hose. Then let dry in the sun.

This might fix it. The more you let it sit there and more rust there will be.

In any case sell your laptop asap and buy a new one. This one is toast anyway you put it.

-Alex

[Infection]

Thanks for the reply Alex.

Like I've said, I'd rather not buy a new laptop as I don't really have a whole lot of money, plus selling off the current one won't give me that much anyway.

The keyboard seems to be working fine so that's good news. Also apart from the USB ports not functioning, I'm just wondering if I could just purchase a mini PCI-E to USB to use the USB ports instead of the ones connected to the motherboard.

[IPnaSh Guru]

Mini PCI is used for internal devices.

You must to buy an ExpressCard. Something like this.

Best regards.

[Duck3]

N100 uses CardBus card, NOT ExpressCard.

Here are a bunch at Newegg:

USB_Cards

[IPnaSh Guru]

maybe I should talk more generically!

Duck3 has right.

[Duck3]

"It's the thought that counts" as we say up here!

[Mark_Lenovo Administrator]

Infection, If corrosion is occuring due to the spill, just patching functionality with an external card won't keep the system running. I would recommend that you either have the system serviced, or work on it yourself. I'm going to to offer my personal opinion, and not that of Lenovo. I would recommend disassembling the system, remove the system board and use a commercial spray chemical cleaner like electra clean to remove corrosion and deposits. You need to also observe ESD precautions so you don't zap the board while you have it apart. Refer to the Hardware maintenance manual on our support site for instructions on how to take the system apart. www.lenovo.com/support Mark

[Infection]

Thanks everyone and Mark.

Much as I want to, I'm really afraid of disassembling an entire laptop on my own for fear of making things worse (or unable to put them back together). Is it possible to ring up Lenovo to service my laptop, and if so, how much would that cost?

Edit: I also would like to add that the USB ports seem to be working again, but like you've mentioned Mark, I think I'll look into servicing it.

[Duck3]

To fix it through Lenovo would most likely be very expensive

relative to the value of the laptop. They would probably replace

the motherboard.

Maybe find a local computer repair shop?

Here are the Service videos, check out System Disassembly/Reassembly.

Videos

(Just in case you decide to attempt it yourself, and save a bundle!)