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Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:52 am
by Cola
Hi guys.


I've recently found a Lenovo Thinkpad W520 for just 2000DKK (~400$).
Seller has posted pictures of it, on which I can see that it looks in alright condition.
It's a 4270-CTR (Configured to order - refurbished).

It's from the US with a Danish keyboard layout (I'm from Denmark so that's good). This however, means that it has got no warranty.

He describes that the laptop has a motherboard issue. He told me that it shuts down randomly, and after the shutdown, it does 1-3 beeps = motherboard failure.

Can this be fixed or would it require a new motherboard?
Has any of you tried or heard of anything like this?
Would you go for it?


Thanks in advance!
Regards, Frederik.

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:03 am
by Cola
I'm really unsure whether to buy this or not. What do you think?

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:31 am
by ajkula66
It really comes down to how much a replacement board would cost, and what the value of the machine with the new planar would be.

Do your math.

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:33 am
by Cola
ajkula66 wrote:It really comes down to how much a replacement board would cost, and what the value of the machine with the new planar would be.

Do your math.

Thanks for replying.

I've searched around abit looking for a new motherboard, but tbh, I've got no idea what to look for. Searching for W520 motherboard doesn't really give me any hits. It has to be in the uk or in eu.

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:36 am
by ajkula66
Cola wrote:
I've searched around abit looking for a new motherboard, but tbh, I've got no idea what to look for.
I think you've just answered your original question. Don't you?

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:46 am
by Cola
ajkula66 wrote:
I've searched around abit looking for a new motherboard, but tbh, I've got no idea what to look for.
I think you've just answered your original question. Don't you?[/quote]



Huh?
No, I'm looking for a motherboard, but as mentioned, I'm not really sure where to look.

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:50 am
by ajkula66
HMM identifying different FRU numbers for various planars would be a good start...and then feebay...I guess...

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:37 pm
by richk
The warranty is probably the same wherever you are. Most are worldwide coverage, but the machine would need to be disassembled to see if there is liquid-spill damage, which is not covered. If there is a spill, other parts may also be damaged.

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:43 pm
by ajkula66
richk wrote:The warranty is probably the same wherever you are. Most are worldwide coverage,.
Rich, he's looking at a CTR refurbished unit, AFAIK there's no IWS on those, and it's a U.S. machine...

Re: Buy cheap defective W520 or not?

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:31 pm
by Cola
Oh well, found a motherboard replacement for about 350$, so it's kinda blowing my budget, so I'ma just leave it.

Thanks for the input anyways. :)