HELP - Laptop problem URGENT

[Blundar]

Hi, I just connected a bad charger to my Thinkpad 560X. Magic smoke came out. I was impressed that the computer magically ran fine, except it didnt. It does not charge anymore when connected to AC power. Luckily I had two batteries handy and was able to ftp everything valuable off of it onto our fileserver, but I am still faced with a useless laptop, as I have no other ways to charge the batteries.
My options at this point:
1. Try to get a dead/defective 560 (like maybe one with a bad screen?) and part-swap (I have to open it to upgrade the hard drive next week anyways) Anyone have such a notebook? I would be interested in a 560X or 560Z with a working motherboard.
2. Open the thing and see if traces or components or both appear to be toasted, desolder (surface mount - eeeeeewwwwwwwwww) and replace. This is complicated and potentially way above my head. I have done this with conventional motherboards, but a laptop kinda scares me.
3. Something really creative.

Anyone have any suggestions here other than buy a new notebook? I am a laptop junkie - I take all of my notes for school on the laptop, I run my business off of it and I just don't have the cheeze to spend on a new/comparable replacement.

Help? Inspiration? bright ideas?

I have 2.5 hours of battery time left

Thanks in advance,
-Dave
I'm subscribing to this thread so anything you post

 

[Tsaico]

I would think that there are solutions for just charging batteries from companies like VST. I beleive they have chargers that will discharge one battery while charging another. Or you could look to Eb#y for broken laptops for spare parts, though not the best, often you can get replacement stuff for cheap. And as far as the resoldering thing, watch out, some companies use a cheap plastic for their components which will melt under an iron or hot solder. Good luck...

 

[Blundar]

Thanks for your suggestion - the notebook is a IBM that dates to IBM's I-don't-really-care-about-price days so it Has an incredible build quality overall. Lucky in one regard.
Peace
-Dave

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<the notebook is a IBM that dates to IBM's I-don't-really-care-about-price days>>
IBM got out of the 'I don't really care about price&quot; days? Could have fooled me when I got my A21p. Worth it though. Back on topic, why not just call IBM? In my experience they have been more than helpful, if not exactly cheap. Also, IBM makes external chargers for their ThinkPad batteries, if I remember correctly they are under the &quot;Accessories&quot; part of the ThinkPad section on IBM's website. Soldering would worry me as well, everything is jammed together so much in a laptop I'd be afraid of inadvertantly creating short circuits.

Zenmervolt

 

[Blundar]

well I bought a halfway dead 560X for parts... let the games begin.

 

[Blundar]

well, i bought a halfway dead 560 not 560X... The parts are not compatible. I am still looking for a 560X for parts.
I have done a lot of surgery, and I am kinda puzzled.
The laptop will work fine and will charge batteries when connected to the docking station, but not otherwise. I tried to follow traces, but it was a little beyond me. I was able to check the first round or two of diodes but...
There has to be someone who is an IBM PC tech out there!
Any ideas anyone on how to go component-level wise with a multimeter etc.?
any all ideas and help appreciated