Dad's computer, desperately want to save :(

richc46 said:

Get the data as suggested and then we can work on the beep codes

Will take some, as my dad does not like ordering things online, and when I go back to school this Tuesday we will not find time to go down to the nearest computer sshop.

LiquidSnak said:

If it is SATA, it will have a small connector for data. If it is IDE it will have a wide connector with several pins.

Wide connector wide lots of pins :) Thanks for clearing that up. So I need to find an IDE HD enclosure online?

Here's one ....

Best Value 3.5" IDE & SATA HDD Enclosure Aluminium USB 2.0 (USB-HD3.5SI-1) - dabs.com

And due to the stock situation it will give you time :)

StarTech.com 2.5in Silver USB 2.0 to IDE External Hard Drive Enclosure Storage enclosure- IDE

Startech will get it done

Thanks for the suggestions everyone :)
I'm sure my dad will be happy about this, and Rich, if the problem can't be solved with the POST beeping, I guess I can use the dead laptop for my own little experiments :)

Hey Dom. Sorry to hear of your "adventure"

The others seem to have the data recovery covered well, so I'm just going to mention the repair part of your post.

I have to start by emphasizing the importance of proper static precautions when working on computers and hardware - even the parts in a broken machine! You can do further damage by mishandling things like processors even with no power applied. So discharge any static on your hands before touching anything and always put parts on anti-static surfaces.

The Phoenix BIOS beep code list does not have a 1-1-1-1 code. But 4 short beeps could be interpreted as "continuous short beeps", and that indicates a system board or power supply problem in a Phoenix BIOS. The USB ports are connected to the Southbridge circuitry on the motherboard. Most likely the short circuit caused by the spoon, or static charge, burned out a component of the Southbridge, but unfortunately that charge can travel further up-line. There are grounding protections normally built in to that circuitry but it is hardly useful on a laptop which is disconnected from earth ground. But if those "fuses" did protect the motherboard then it is theoretically possible to repair it, but you would need a degree in electrical engineering (or an engineering friend) to do that. Way beyond my skill set.

Your case sounds promising, as you are getting some life from the board. You may have got "lucky" and the short took out a replacable part of the board. But your first step would be to reattach the display panel.

If you want to repair that unit you probably want to start looking for a used copy of that laptop to cannibalize for a motherboard. You may be able to find a replacement board, but it's probably cheaper just to buy the old laptop. If you get the display working you can start doing some diagnostics to see if you got lucky, but just in case, you could get started.

Good luck!

Pusspa said:

have you tried hooking an external monitor to the laptop?

No, I haven't. How come we didn't think of that? +rep
I'll see what happens.

Some interesting observations here....

When I had my VGA monitor cable hooked up before I power up the laptop, after a few seconds it shut down. But when I took out the cable, started it up, it didn't shut down, so I plugged the cable back in and into the monitor. Nothing came up on the screen, no BIOS screen, nothing. Then the monitor shut down, and the laptop carried on running.

I have managed to find the hibernate switch (which gets pushed down when the laptop lid closes) does not work either, so something is causing the computer to not load everything.


UPDATE: When putting my current Acer laptops AC adaptor into my dad's, it continues running, but when I pulled it out the old laptop shuts down. Now it won't boot back up again

UPDATE 2: Plugging it in again and out, the laptop without the AC adaptor starts up again Very weird.