Please help with Gateway Notebook Mother Board

Hi, I have a Gateway MX8715 that died on me and when I sent it into the extended warranty company they are saying that there is water damage and that the mother board, or systems board needs to be replaced but that the warranty company won't pay for it. They want over $500!! So, I told them to send it back and I can't get any additional information from them to either deny or confirm that all I need is the systems board.

I looked up the part on Gateway and it is this...4006172R - UMA Motherboard w/943GML and 1394 (FRU) When I do a search for that part I find similar ones but not exact... Can I just get a system that maybe has more memory and actually use that part. Any help would be really really appreciated!!

 

so if I understand you well, you want to buy another laptop with a damaged screen and a good motherboard and swap the motherboards around? right?

If this is what your asking, then YES YOU CAN.
For this ebay is your bet friend.

My MX3101 mobo is used in 26 other Gateway laptops!

 

Well, I had not thought of it that way. I just wanted to find a motherboard and install it in the Gateway I have. Not buy the whole computer and I wondered if it has to be the exact model number as the one that is in there or if I can get something close... or what I can do exactly.... I was looking at a computer cash on newegg.com. Is there anything there that will work. They have quite a few mother boards...?

 

I am going to post my systems spec's in hopes that someone will stop by and read this and tell me what I should get....hoping, please... lost....


MX8715 Notebook Specifications
Part Number: 2905906RGateway MX8715 Notebook

Feature Description
Processor Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2060
1 MB L2 Cache | 1.60 GHz | 533 MHz FSB
Chipset Intel® 943GML
Screen 17.1-inch Ultrabright™ WXGA TFT (1440 × 900)
Memory 1024 MB 533 MHz DDR2 Dual Channel memory (2 × 512 MB)
Maximum supported memory: 4 GB
Total slots: 2 DDR2 slots | Available slots: 0 DDR2 slots
Video Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Up to 224 MB shared video memory
Audio High definition 2-channel audio
Hard drive 120-GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive
Optical drive DVD+/-RW Multi-Format Double Layer (up to 8.5 GB)

Write maximum: 8X DVD+/-R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 2X DVD-R DL, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 5x DVD-RAM, 24X CD-R and 16X CD-RW discs
Read maximum: 24X CD-R/RW/ROM, 8X DVD-R/RW/ROM, 4X DVD+/-R DL, RAM, discs
Media Reader 4-in-1 Digital Media Manager
Secure Digital® (SD), Memory Stick™, Memory Stick-Pro™, and Multimedia Card® (MMC)
Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Network

* 10/100 Ethernet LAN
* Wireless LAN 802.11g

Interfaces

* 4 - USB 2.0 ports
* 1 - VGA external connector
* 1 - S-Video external connector
* 1 - IEEE 1394 port
* 1 - RJ11 (modem)
* 1 - RJ45 (Ethernet LAN)
* 1 - Microphone In
* 1 - Headphone / Audio Out
* 1 - Kensington lock slot
* 1 - AC adapter connector

Pointing Device Touchpad with vertical scroll zone
PCMCIA 1 - Type I or Type II; Card Bus
Battery 6-Cell 2400 mAh Lithium Ion
Dimensions 1.24 to 1.42-inches (H) × 16.06-inches (W) × 10.89-inches (D)
Weight 7.37 pounds

 

I did this quite few times and usualy either if you go for a whole system, ebay is usually better/cheaper.

Let me check for the diferent systems that use the same mobo as yours.

 

Gateway model using the 4006172R:
MX8715

It seems that the 4006172R is compatible with 4006145R, and 31PA6MB0042, hence the MP8708 and MX8710.
http://www.lapzone.com/servlet/the-21235/Gateway-MP8708-Mother-Board/Detail

From the info I found on the net all the MX87xx series have similar/swapable mobos

Edit:
The 4006172R is used in the following laptops
MX8711
MX8715
MX8721
MX8734
MX8738
MX8739
MX8741

 

Your back.... my computer hero!! So, I want to make sure I understand this... I can't just go out and buy one that has a bigger hard drive or more memory available. It has to be just the same one. I will go look at what you linked. Thanks so much. I will be back....

 

Oh, my, $399 huh, I was hoping for more around $100. I will put those items in google search....

 

Could I do this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-MX8738-17in-Laptop-C2D-1-73ghz-1gb-160gb-DVDRW_W0QQitemZ130255590250QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130255590250&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A4|65%3A15|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

A mobo will cost you in ebay between £80 and £150 ($120 to $250) in ebay.

If you decide to buy a laptop, any of the following models uses the 4006172R motherboard:
MX8711
MX8715
MX8721
MX8734
MX8738
MX8739
MX8741

Other models that look physically similar to yours (i.e. share the same chassi as yours) but don't belong to the list above can be used too (such as the MX8710). The main difference is they use the Intel i945 chipset instead of the i943. This make them upgradable to the Core 2 duo series of processor such as the T7200.

 

this one is not physical damaged so it's gona be expensive to buy

 

I'm so frustrated I could scream. I found a place that sells the boards but she wants a part number that she says is on the inside... well the repair company stripped out some of the screws and I can't get the back off!

 

I found this link but could you look at it? This is the cheapest I have seen. Now I am so frustrated I want to throw it out the window or cry. The screws are completely stripped. I swear they did that to me on purpose!!!!@

 

check this for the screws:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=290926

For the reference you don't need to open the laptop. Your mobo ref is 4006172R so I don't what other ref. they need

 

Determination paid! I got it open. The number I think they were looking for was 3TPA6MB0024.

I am finding them around $229-$399.00 What if I buy this thing and the computer still doesn't work?

My problem is that I just bought into a business for about $18k and I am so broke. My credit cards would bounce if they could!!

 

If you're in a tit budget, I would recommand that you spent your money in a new budget desktop or a laptop like the one below and live the MX8715 for better days.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ACER-3680-laptop_W0QQitemZ140267452230QQihZ004QQcategoryZ177QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This Acer can be upgrade using the CPU and ram from the gateway.

 

I will go and check it out. I was just thinking that I could find the part for around $150 to $200 and I can't buy a new system for that!!

 

then I have to figure out if the memory is compatable!! How do I do all of this.

 

To be honest ebay is a mis and hit situation. If you're patient you might find a mobo for that price. If you're in rush get an Acer 3680. It's a good laptop and it has a good display. One of the forum member "Andy" has one and he did lot of stuff on it. You could PM him for advice, or just open a new topic with ACER 3680 as title and he will reply with advices.

The memory and cpu will work, so you don't have to warry about compatibility issues.

The ACER 3680 is a example. The one in my ebay link has sold for $325.69 + $20 for the delivery.

 

Anyone else that wants to add info, I would be very happy to listen!!!

Hi, I bought a HP refurbished 500gb desktop for $395 but I was looking some more tonight and I found this for only $74.00. Can you explain to me how it will work differently. You said it is upgradeable, does that mean that it will not be as fast or good as the other part would be? The price is certainly too good to pass on. I really want this computer back. I never had any problems what so ever with it and I just feel lost without it.

My bf bought a boat and I could then use this there and my HP Pavillion I can use safely at home!

Description :
Intel D945GCL/ Gateway 4006173R Board
Manufacturer : INTEL
Price : $74

I really appreciate your helping me out with this, you have no idea!!