Repairing a cracked laptop chassis (underside)

I had a freak accident involving my Vostro 1400. I was putting it into its foam sleeve case when I lost my grip somewhat, making the laptop swing downward. I bent my knee out of reflex trying to stop it from falling, and ended up kneeing my laptop at a perfect perpendicular angle for maximum damage. In other words, even though it was protected by the foam sleeve, it still managed to crack.

The crack is on the underside of the laptop, moving from the top-right corner of the RAM cover, to about 2/3 of the way to the CPU vent. It's curved. I will post a pic later if I can.

How can I best fix this? I thought of using some very strong glue and sealing it back together. Is this feasible? Right now, the metal is warped a bit (with the casing on one side of the crack bending inward into the laptop), so it might make gluing them back together difficult.

I don't know what to do.

 

check ebay for a new service cover.

 

Is that the technical term for it? Because I can't find anything.

EDIT: It's called a "base assembly" or "base assembly cover". I think it is part # JX273.

 

Dont you have warranty?They will replace it for you.

 

Metal Epoxy might work okay but it's not intended as a filler and with it being warped it'll look ugly and not be nearly as sturdy, you'd need to straighten it which would require taking apart the entire laptop and it will still be ugly but sturdy.

So frankly if you have a warranty use that as the poster above said and if not it might be easier to just buy a base off ebay.

 

I do have a warranty. I just assumed that they don't send replacements for things like that.

 

if you decide to glue it search out ca glue at a local hobby shop its a 2 part glue. get the thick viscosity and a bottle of activator. stuff is amazing and very strong with the activator. think of it as a instant dry crazy glue without the white residue. the second you spray the activator on the glue it hardens and it dry.

 

I think that they wil replace it.

 

Here you go:

Grade 'B':

http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=4565

Grade 'A':

http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=4287

 

I got a replacement base assembly cover, but I'm unsure as to how to replace it. There is no specific section for it in the service manual.

Am I supposed to disassemble the whole thing, including the system board?

 

just unscrew the screws at the bottom and then put the new one on.

would be better to go to the forum that your laptop belongs to and ask hot there

 

I don't know what it is called, but it cost quite a but new (I sent my computer to get a little $19 dollar part and ended up paying a $200 bill because they decided to replace the bottom because of a small crack less than an inch long) so I'd buy it used.