Need Help Fixing old and busted Compaq 1700

[Slappy00]

Here are the problems:

1. LCD needs to be replaced (massive crack running through it) (quote for new at $345) Problem is i need directions on how to install it
2. I am not sure if the swapable DVD drive works, and it doesnt seem to like to boot off of it
3. OS is DOA, the owner put a bad stick of ram in and borked explorer.exe, then formatted
   
   

The guy is at wits end with this thing. I woudl like to fix it for him, but would also consider buying it off of him for a fair price, considering its somewhat busted and about 3 years old.

*Oh and if anyone can remind me how to use mscdex i would appreciate it (lost my DOS mojo)*

Compaq Presario 1700 model number 17xL260

 

[MDE]

If it's old and needs a new screen, I'd junk it. Just not worth the money IMO.

 

[Frightcrawler]

yeah, toss it. $345 for a new lcd would be better spent on a new laptop.

 

[Slappy00]

just feel bad about tossing I would want o it slap linux on it make it a firewall or ftp server.. I can still read the screen just that big crack makes it very unasthetic.

 

[dnuggett]

You may be able to find a replacement screen at a decent price on Ebay. I know soem time back there was a lady selling the Compaq repair manuals the tech use, but I can't seem to find her username. a search under compaq manual at Ebay would probably find you what you are looking for. There is a guy who posts some in the SFF/Notebook forums here who is a certified tech too....

 

[erikistired]

replacing a screen isn't too terribly difficult. it should be as easy as taking the bezel off, taking 4 screws out (give or take a few depending on your model), unhooking a couple of cables (usually 2, which may or may not unhook from the lcd end, but usually do) pulling the old lcd out and then reversing all those steps. if the ribbon cable doesn't unhook from the lcd end, then you'll have to open the laptop itself, unhook it, get it back thru the casing and then thread the new one back. the other cable should go to the inverter which is usually (always?) in the lcd casing and pretty easy to unhook. just don't force anything to come off if it doesn't want to. gentle persuasion is best with laptops (imho). one exception is my compaq m300, where the bezel is glued onto the lcd, and it's a pain to swap out. i'd try ebay too, but make sure you check the lcd you have now, sometimes they will use more than one lcd manufacturer in the same laptop line, and they aren't always swappable.

good luck with it, feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

~erik

 

[MDE]

You could always hook up an external monitor (assuming it has VGA out) and use it for a firewall, etc.

 

[vegetation]

From the sounds of it, why not just use an external monitor.. even if the optical drive is dead, you can just pull the harddrive out and hook it to a desktop to copy some basic install files over, then switch it back. I wouldn't put any money into something as old as this, plus who knows there may be other issues that you haven't experienced yet.

 

[Slappy00]

"From the sounds of it, why not just use an external monitor.. even if the optical drive is dead, you can just pull the harddrive out and hook it to a desktop to copy some basic install files over, then switch it back. "

Think I'll try that first ... Tommarrow....err today.. man i need to get to bed...