I recently repaired on of our laptops and was feeling pretty chuffed at
managing it. Unfortunately, the laptop (an Acer Travelmate 202T) has
decided to stop working again. The original problem was that the PCMCIA
socket had stopped working and I found two loose screws floating around in
my laptop that should have been securing the sockets to the motherboard. I
replaced them and it worked fine for a week.

I pulled it apart again and discovered the root cause of the problem (which
I had missed last time) is that an overheating card has damaged the plastic
around the pins at the back of the socket. Fixing the existing card doesn't
look possible and ACER don't sell spares for laptops of this age (made in
2001).

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

TIA

TIm

On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 15:45:37 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

I recently repaired on of our laptops and was feeling pretty chuffed at
managing it. Unfortunately, the laptop (an Acer Travelmate 202T) has
decided to stop working again. The original problem was that the PCMCIA
socket had stopped working and I found two loose screws floating around in
my laptop that should have been securing the sockets to the motherboard. I
replaced them and it worked fine for a week.

I pulled it apart again and discovered the root cause of the problem (which
I had missed last time) is that an overheating card has damaged the plastic
around the pins at the back of the socket. Fixing the existing card doesn't
look possible and ACER don't sell spares for laptops of this age (made in
2001).

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

TIA

Seaching Google for acer laptop spares yields 12,900 hits from the UK.

DG

derek wrote:
On Thu, 15 Apr 2004 15:45:37 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

I recently repaired on of our laptops and was feeling pretty chuffed
at managing it. Unfortunately, the laptop (an Acer Travelmate 202T)
has decided to stop working again. The original problem was that
the PCMCIA socket had stopped working and I found two loose screws
floating around in my laptop that should have been securing the
sockets to the motherboard. I replaced them and it worked fine for
a week.

I pulled it apart again and discovered the root cause of the problem
(which I had missed last time) is that an overheating card has
damaged the plastic around the pins at the back of the socket.
Fixing the existing card doesn't look possible and ACER don't sell
spares for laptops of this age (made in 2001).

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

TIA

Seaching Google for acer laptop spares yields 12,900 hits from the UK.

DG

Thank you. That would never have occured to me.

Having started with Acer themselves and working down to the people who now
do the repairs for Acer, I've drawn a blank as far as this particular spare
part is concerned. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually *knew*
something helpful (rather than from bored smug gits).

Tim

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

Seaching Google for acer laptop spares yields 12,900 hits from the UK.

Not a very helpful reply. Laptop spares are available but it's a
closed market with little third party interest (it's nothing like the
desktop PC marketplace). A small number of companies offer to repair
laptops around the UK - that would certainly be a better Google search.
However, they mostly offer to fix "standard" problems like damaged screens
or the notebook refusing to power-up. However, they might offer you some
advice if you phoned.

So, in other words, yes, getting a used model from eBay is probably the
quickest and cheapest option.

ps Using Google properly and searching for "acer laptop spares"
(surrounded in quotes) brings up eight results, one of which you might
find interesting: http://www.laptopsolutions.plc.uk/Ac...top_spares.htm

"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
I recently repaired on of our laptops and was feeling pretty chuffed at
managing it. Unfortunately, the laptop (an Acer Travelmate 202T) has
decided to stop working again. The original problem was that the PCMCIA
socket had stopped working and I found two loose screws floating around in
my laptop that should have been securing the sockets to the motherboard.
I
replaced them and it worked fine for a week.

I pulled it apart again and discovered the root cause of the problem
(which
I had missed last time) is that an overheating card has damaged the
plastic
around the pins at the back of the socket. Fixing the existing card
doesn't
look possible and ACER don't sell spares for laptops of this age (made in
2001).

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

TIA

TIm
Have you spoken to ICR - Independant Computer Repairs?

Max wrote:
"Tim Downie" wrote in message

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

TIA

TIm
Have you spoken to ICR - Independant Computer Repairs?

Yes. They were the first company that Acer suggested. No joy.

Tim

peak man wrote:
So, in other words, yes, getting a used model from eBay is probably
the quickest and cheapest option.

I think that's what it's going to have to be. :-(

ps Using Google properly and searching for "acer laptop spares"
(surrounded in quotes) brings up eight results, one of which you might
find interesting:
http://www.laptopsolutions.plc.uk/Ac...top_spares.htm

They don't list the appropriate part and nor do many of the others I've
looked at.

I must admit, I was hoping (foolishly I now realise) that a PCMCIA card
socket might be a fairly generic sort of part but of course, because it's
for a laptop, the manufacturers *have* to make it irrepairable as quickly as
possible.

Tim


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Tim Downie wrote:

I must admit, I was hoping (foolishly I now realise) that a PCMCIA card
socket might be a fairly generic sort of part but of course, because it's
for a laptop, the manufacturers *have* to make it irrepairable as quickly as
possible.

Tim

Digikey carry a couple of bare cardbus sockets, but I guess the chances
of them physically fitting may be somewhat remote, not to mention the
SMD rework gear you'd need access to...
http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Hiro...1.27SF-EJR.jpg

Lee

In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
peak man wrote:
So, in other words, yes, getting a used model from eBay is probably
the quickest and cheapest option.

I think that's what it's going to have to be. :-(
snip
I must admit, I was hoping (foolishly I now realise) that a PCMCIA card
socket might be a fairly generic sort of part but of course, because it's
for a laptop, the manufacturers *have* to make it irrepairable as quickly as
possible.

They are.
But there are many, many variants.
You may be able to chase down the part number for the one you need, but
then you'd need to hire someone to fit it onto the board.

Remember, that you may well be able to resell the bits of the laptop
if you get one from ebay.
For example I'm currently looking for 'plastics' for a toshiba 3110CT,
so that I can play with doing custom mods to it.
I don't care about any of the insides.

(I want to add illumination on the keyboard.)
I've already picked up a couple of spare motherboards, just in case (I've
got two of these laptops, and love them, one bought just for spares, but
got working) and also to use as low-power servers.

Tim Downie wrote:

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?


If you find a supplier for Acer parts, can you please pass the details
on Acer?

I've waited 2 weeks now to get my laptop back because they're waiting
for spares :-(

Tim Downie wrote:

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

Have you tried:-

http://www.clonesuk.com/


--
Cheers,

John.

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| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Ian Stirling wrote:

They are.
But there are many, many variants.
You may be able to chase down the part number for the one you need,
but
then you'd need to hire someone to fit it onto the board.

?? As the part in question plugs into the motherboard and is secured with
screws, I don't quite follow your logic here. Any suggestions on how to
find the part number?

Remember, that you may well be able to resell the bits of the laptop
if you get one from ebay.

Hadn't really thought of that.

Cheers.

Tim

In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Ian Stirling wrote:

They are.
But there are many, many variants.
You may be able to chase down the part number for the one you need,
but
then you'd need to hire someone to fit it onto the board.

?? As the part in question plugs into the motherboard and is secured with
screws, I don't quite follow your logic here. Any suggestions on how to
find the part number?

This will be a custom part, almost certainly unique to one Acer line,
possibly even just one model.

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

Remember, that you may well be able to resell the bits of the laptop
if you get one from ebay.

Hadn't really thought of that.

Cheers.

Tim

Lee wrote:
Tim Downie wrote:

I must admit, I was hoping (foolishly I now realise) that a PCMCIA
card socket might be a fairly generic sort of part but of course,
because it's for a laptop, the manufacturers *have* to make it
irrepairable as quickly as possible.

Tim

Digikey carry a couple of bare cardbus sockets, but I guess the
chances
of them physically fitting may be somewhat remote, not to mention the
SMD rework gear you'd need access to...

http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Hiro...1.27SF-EJR.jpg

Lee

Hmm... similar but but not close enough I fear. What's SMD rework gear?

Tim

Ian Stirling wrote:

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

Ooo... the Molex site looks promising.

The double doodad job on
http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/mole...geTit le=Intr

looks like what I'm after. (or http://tinyurl.com/2chnj if the above is too
long)

Not sure if they take private orders though. I suspect I'll have to still
play "hunt the stockist".

Thanks for your help.

Tim

John Rumm wrote:
Tim Downie wrote:

Short of buying a used 202T for spares from e-Bay, has anyone any
suggestions where I might get a replacement?

Have you tried:-

http://www.clonesuk.com/

Yes thanks. No help I'm afraid.

Tim

On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 17:50:19 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

Ian Stirling wrote:

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

Ooo... the Molex site looks promising.

Is the "absence" of this card slot stopping the whole laptop from
functioning ? It shouldn't really.

--
I don't have a solution but I admire the problem.

Mail john rather than nospam...

John Laird wrote:
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 17:50:19 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

Ian Stirling wrote:

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

Ooo... the Molex site looks promising.

Is the "absence" of this card slot stopping the whole laptop from
functioning ? It shouldn't really.

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to go back
to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital photographs
etc. ;-)

Tim
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In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Ian Stirling wrote:

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

Ooo... the Molex site looks promising.
snip

looks like what I'm after. (or http://tinyurl.com/2chnj if the above is too
long)

Not sure if they take private orders though. I suspect I'll have to still
play "hunt the stockist".

Soldering this on is going to be a serious problem, even for most
electronics hobbiests.

Is it the actual socket that has failed, or is it the guides.
On some, you can replace the guides without needing to resolder.
Alternatively, USB wireless adaptors are not that expensive.

In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Lee wrote:
Tim Downie wrote:

I must admit, I was hoping (foolishly I now realise) that a PCMCIA
card socket might be a fairly generic sort of part but of course,
because it's for a laptop, the manufacturers *have* to make it
irrepairable as quickly as possible.

Tim

Digikey carry a couple of bare cardbus sockets, but I guess the
chances
of them physically fitting may be somewhat remote, not to mention the
SMD rework gear you'd need access to...

http://rocky.digikey.com/WebLib/Hiro...1.27SF-EJR.jpg

Hmm... similar but but not close enough I fear. What's SMD rework gear?

It's what you need to attatch it.
Do you know how to work a soldering iron?

Look at the connectors pins where it attaches to the board.
You have to solder all of the wires, without shorting any/...
This is quite tricky.

Ian Stirling wrote:

Soldering this on is going to be a serious problem, even for most
electronics hobbiests.

The existing one simply plugs into the motherboard. No soldering required.
(As my usual soldering tool is the gas cooker I suspect I'd best not tackle
the MB.)

Is it the actual socket that has failed, or is it the guides.

The socket. The plastic part that holds all the bazillion pins and metal
strips has overheated leading to loosening of the connection with the MB

On some, you can replace the guides without needing to resolder.
Alternatively, USB wireless adaptors are not that expensive.

If I can't get the socket, that'll be my next best option I guess.

Thanks.

Tim
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On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 18:30:55 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to go back
to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital photographs
etc. ;-)

How strange. I spent yesterday afternoon pulling out WiFi from my home
and replacing with wires. The WiFi has caused me one problem too many
and it's now out of here.

PoP

---
http://www.ukdiy.org.uk

In ,
Tim Downie wrote:

John Laird wrote:

Is the "absence" of this card slot stopping the whole laptop from
functioning ? It shouldn't really.

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to go back
to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital photographs
etc. ;-)

If that's all you want it for, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to get
a USB wifi adaptor? Or is the laptop really so old it doesn't have USB?

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See http://www.realh.co.uk/contact.html for more reliable contact addresses.

PoP wrote:
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 18:30:55 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to
go back to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital
photographs etc. ;-)

How strange. I spent yesterday afternoon pulling out WiFi from my home
and replacing with wires. The WiFi has caused me one problem too many
and it's now out of here.

Whilst it was a bit of a pain to set up, for the laptops it's a boon. I
have the desktops all hardwired though.

If you don't want your WiFi gear, drop me a line and I'll take it off your
hands. ;-)

Tim
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Tony Houghton wrote:
In ,
Tim Downie wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to
go back to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital
photographs etc. ;-)

If that's all you want it for, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to
get
a USB wifi adaptor?

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor accepting
a compact flash memory card.

Tim
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In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Tony Houghton wrote:
In ,
Tim Downie wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to
go back to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital
photographs etc. ;-)

If that's all you want it for, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to
get
a USB wifi adaptor?

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor accepting
a compact flash memory card.

If you have to ask what SMD rework gear is, you almost certainly are not
capable of repairing this, even if you can purchase the bare socket.

USB CF reader = 3-4 quid.
USB hub = 2 quid.
USB wireless adaptor - 30 quid.
http://www.ebuyer.com/

Tim Downie wrote:

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor accepting
a compact flash memory card.

A USB compact flash reader will though ;-)

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

Ian Stirling wrote:
In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor
accepting a compact flash memory card.

If you have to ask what SMD rework gear is, you almost certainly are
not capable of repairing this, even if you can purchase the bare
socket.

*Please* read what I've written before coming over all pompous Ian. I'm
grateful for your input to this thread but if you'd read my posts you would
have seen that the existing socket simply plugs into the motherboard. No
soldering required.


USB CF reader = 3-4 quid.
USB hub = 2 quid.
USB wireless adaptor - 30 quid.
http://www.ebuyer.com/

Yes, I know these things are cheap enough. It just seems daft to shell out
for a number of separate devices when all I need is a new pcmcia socket.
As present I don't know how much one will cost (or indeed whether I can even
obtain one) but it would be *my* prefered option.

Tim





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In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Ian Stirling wrote:
In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor
accepting a compact flash memory card.

If you have to ask what SMD rework gear is, you almost certainly are
not capable of repairing this, even if you can purchase the bare
socket.

*Please* read what I've written before coming over all pompous Ian. I'm
grateful for your input to this thread but if you'd read my posts you would
have seen that the existing socket simply plugs into the motherboard. No
soldering required.

Oops, I hadn't fully read all the messages.
I have never heard of a generic socket that actually does plug into
the motherboard.
It seems unlikely for several reasons, but if it exists...

I have often seen little sub-boards onto which the socket is soldered,
that then plug into the laptop motherboard, but these are always
specific to model.

The link to the molex site does not work, can you post the part
number you found?
(the link will stop working when the session times out)

I've had success ordering samples for molex parts for some things in
the past, I'll see if I can dig up the parts.

Do you have a picture of the broken part, and are there any visible
makers marks, or part numbers, or logos?

Ian Stirling wrote:

This will be a custom part, almost certainly unique to one Acer line,
possibly even just one model.

The socket soldered/screwed to this board may well be a generic one,
from AMP/molex/...

BTW, the knackered part can now be viewed at
http://edinburghmarathon.50megs.com/photo2.html

(Please forgive the godawful site. It was something I put up in a hurry
last year and as it's still there, it's the easiest place to stick a couple
of pictures.)

HTH.

Tim
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Ian Stirling wrote:

Oops, I hadn't fully read all the messages.
I have never heard of a generic socket that actually does plug into
the motherboard.
It seems unlikely for several reasons, but if it exists...

Oh it exists. I have it here in front of me. ;-)


I have often seen little sub-boards onto which the socket is soldered,
that then plug into the laptop motherboard, but these are always
specific to model.

The link to the molex site does not work, can you post the part
number you found?
(the link will stop working when the session times out)

Try this one: http://tinyurl.com/2xkfk.

It doesn't show an identical part I realise now that I can compare more
closely alas. I've just found the technical spec on
http://tinyurl.com/2pmv9 and it's definitely not right. :-(


I've had success ordering samples for molex parts for some things in
the past, I'll see if I can dig up the parts.

Do you have a picture of the broken part, and are there any visible
makers marks, or part numbers, or logos?

Again, alas no. It's just a nondescript beige bit of plastic. Have a look
at the picture I've just put up at
http://edinburghmarathon.50megs.com/photo2.html

Tim



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On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 11:36:04 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

If you don't want your WiFi gear, drop me a line and I'll take it off your
hands. ;-)

Now there's an offer that I can't refuse

Haven't sorted it out yet. This latest "problem" appears to be a
broken access point because I can't even get in to reboot a new
bootstrap into it.

Fortunately it's a warranty repair so it'll be a brand new access
point

PoP

---
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In message , Tim Downie
writes
PoP wrote:
On Fri, 16 Apr 2004 18:30:55 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to
go back to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital
photographs etc. ;-)

How strange. I spent yesterday afternoon pulling out WiFi from my home
and replacing with wires. The WiFi has caused me one problem too many
and it's now out of here.

Whilst it was a bit of a pain to set up, for the laptops it's a boon. I
have the desktops all hardwired though.

If you don't want your WiFi gear, drop me a line and I'll take it off your
hands. ;-)

Now there's an offer

I hope he's not my neighbour, whose WIFi I use to access the internet
when NTL is borked
--
geoff

In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Ian Stirling wrote:

Oops, I hadn't fully read all the messages.
I have never heard of a generic socket that actually does plug into
the motherboard.
It seems unlikely for several reasons, but if it exists...

Oh it exists. I have it here in front of me. ;-)


I have often seen little sub-boards onto which the socket is soldered,
that then plug into the laptop motherboard, but these are always
specific to model.

The link to the molex site does not work, can you post the part
number you found?
(the link will stop working when the session times out)

Try this one: http://tinyurl.com/2xkfk.

Nope.

It doesn't show an identical part I realise now that I can compare more
closely alas. I've just found the technical spec on
http://tinyurl.com/2pmv9 and it's definitely not right. :-(

Nope.

Neither works, the first gives an error, the second just the homepage.

Try clearing your cookie cache for http://www.molex.com/ or even
clicking on the above links now.

Many 'complex' websites do not support direct linking well, they
rely on you having logged in, and then present the appropriate page
depending on the status of your cookies.


I've had success ordering samples for molex parts for some things in
the past, I'll see if I can dig up the parts.

Do you have a picture of the broken part, and are there any visible
makers marks, or part numbers, or logos?

Again, alas no. It's just a nondescript beige bit of plastic. Have a look
at the picture I've just put up at


I really like the picture of the sunset.

Hmm, pity.
Other makers that spring to mind are http://www.amp.com/ .

The pictures do not make it quite clear.
What happens when it's plugged in, does the connector shell seperate,
so that it does not make good contact?
It seems that some epoxy round it, to constrain it from moving might work.

In message , Ian Stirling
writes
In uk.d-i-y Tim Downie wrote:
Tony Houghton wrote:
In ,
Tim Downie wrote:

No but once you've got used to wireless broadband, you don't want to
go back to wires again. Also stops me boring guests with my digital
photographs etc. ;-)

If that's all you want it for, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to
get
a USB wifi adaptor?

I *enjoy* fixing things. Besides, I can't see a USB wifi adaptor accepting
a compact flash memory card.

If you have to ask what SMD rework gear is,

I use the same blowtorch I use for CH pipework - works a treat

you almost certainly are not
capable of repairing this, even if you can purchase the bare socket.

USB CF reader = 3-4 quid.
USB hub = 2 quid.
USB wireless adaptor - 30 quid.
http://www.ebuyer.com/

--
geoff