Fixing a Compaq Evo n800w notebook and Adding Built-in Wireless (In Vancouver)

This HP Compaq Evo n800w Notebook attracted me because it has a fast 2.4 GHz CPU and a high resolution LCD screen of 1600 x 1200. It was owned by a lady before the LCD screen failed to display to her that she had to sell it.

The video problem is very likely because of video chip in motherboard. I tried to reflow it but it did not work. To make it up and running again, I ordered a brand new OEM motherboard for it. I also bought a WiFi antenna and a used Intel wireless card to upgrade it for built-in wireless.

When all parts arrived, I opened up the laptop and replaced the motherboard. At the same time, I installed the antenna and wired the cable to the Intel wireless card which is inserted to the mini PCI slot at the bottom. While assembling back the laptop, I cleaned up the fan to avoid overheating the video chip again. The CPU also needed new silver thermal compound. For the palm rest which had scratches on the paint, I repainted it using a spray-paint for plastic.

The hard drive does not have recovery partition. I installed the XP SP2 from CD and entered the license key from the COA label at the bottom. To activate the Bluetooth, I installed the driver from the HP website.

When the notebook was back into one piece, I tested the CD/DVD, Bluetooth, USB, touch pad and set the screen resolution to the highest to run YouTube video. Both sound and display are excellent. The battery is good as well. It last over 2 hours for web browsing.

The laptop was taken up by a family in Vancouver on 27Sep2010.