Liquid damage
Spilled drinks can short circuits and cause corrosion that keeps spreading. Switch off, unplug and bring it in — see our liquid spill guide.
Board repairs
Laptop Board Repairs in Adelaide
If your laptop isn't turning on or charging properly, we'll inspect the board and let you know whether it can be repaired.
What the board does
The motherboard (on a Mac it's called the logic board) is the main circuit board inside your laptop. Everything connects to it — the processor, memory, storage, screen, keyboard, ports and the charging circuit. When something on the board fails, the laptop can stop turning on, stop charging or behave strangely, even if every other part is fine.
When to bring it in
- No power at all
- Doesn't charge even with a known-good charger
- Turns on but shuts off suddenly
- Loose or damaged charging port
- Liquid spill caused the laptop to die
- USB or HDMI ports stopped working
Common problems, explained
Power surges
A surge through the charger can damage the power circuits on the board.
Worn DC jack or charging port
A loose port can damage its connection to the board over time, and in some laptops the port is soldered directly to it.
Failed charging circuit
Parts of the board that manage charging can fail, leaving the laptop unable to charge even with a good charger and battery.
Why diagnosis matters
"No power" doesn't automatically mean a dead board. The charger, battery or port can cause the same symptoms, so we test those first. That way you're not paying for a board repair when the fix is simpler.
How we approach it
We open the laptop, test the power circuit and inspect the board. Some boards can be repaired. Others need replacement, and sometimes a repair just isn't worth it on that model. We'll always be upfront with you before any work goes ahead.
Repair vs replace vs not worth it
- Board repair — fixing the faulty part or circuit on the existing board, where that's possible.
- Board replacement — fitting a replacement board, where a suitable one is available for your model.
- Not worth it — when the cost doesn't make sense for the laptop's age or value. We'll tell you honestly.
Getting your data off first
If the laptop holds files you need, tell us. In many laptops the drive can be removed and read separately, even with a dead board. Where storage is built into the board it's more involved — see data recovery.
What to bring
- The laptop and its charger
- Details of what happened — a spill, a drop, or a gradual fault
- Your password, or we can test with you present
If a repair doesn't make sense
We can usually still recover your data and help you move to a refurbished laptop — often a smarter choice than spending money on an older machine.
Board repair questions
How do I know if it's the board or just the charger?
Try a known-good charger first. If the laptop still has no power or won't charge, bring it in with the charger and we'll test the charger, port, battery and board to find the fault.
Can every board be repaired?
No. Some boards can be repaired, others need replacing, and sometimes a repair isn't worth it on that model. We'll be upfront with you before any work goes ahead.
Can you get my files off a laptop with a dead board?
Often, yes. In many laptops the storage drive can be removed and read separately. On some models storage is built into the board, which makes it harder. We'll check your model.
My laptop died after a spill. Is it worth bringing in?
Yes, as soon as possible and without turning it back on. Liquid damage is a common cause of board faults, and earlier is better.
How much does a board repair cost?
It depends on what's failed on the board and your model. We inspect it first and quote before any work starts.
Bring your laptop in for an honest assessment
569 Grange Road, Grange SA 5022 (08) 8121 3311
Mon–Fri 10:00am–5:30pm · Closed weekends & public holidays
Walk-ins welcome — no appointment needed. Free in-store quotes.