My Lenovo Laptop V570 Got Revived After A Lightning Strike
There were thunderstorms in our place a few weeks back and one of the lightnings struck my house and I had a lot of damages. All the CCTV cameras, its console, Wireless Router, one Fan, Set top box and my laptop got affected simultaneously, though some of these damages were realized only later. My laptop did not get on, on the next day. So, I consulted one of my techie friends who were an expert in computer and laptop servicing.
As his place was far away, I could not take it there. So, he told me to go through videos available in the website and dismantle the laptop and locate the LAN port control IC. After scanning a few, I got the following link, which helped me dismantle my laptop (first time in my life!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtsY6RykSo
I followed it step by step, by pausing the video until I finished each part. Removed the battery, removed the back screws and cover, disconnected the hard disk, CD Unit, then removed key board etc. as mentioned therein. Then pulled out the mother board, after detaching the display cable and backlight connection.
Finally, I could trace and locate the LAN control IC, with of course great help and guidance from my friend.
His advice was to remove the IC and try starting the laptop. Here the twist started. I tried my best to remove this IC using various methods. As you all know, I have reported removing several such SMD ICs in my earlier articles. I was able to do that without any problems. Even at very high temperature and blowing, it never budged.
I even applied the special desoldering paste, PPD PD-150 and tried. Then I was worried that I was going to cause further damages to the board, which are of multilayer type. Look at the target site:
By this time, I had some urgent personal work. My wife was scheduled to undergo a spine surgery and got engrossed in that. As I had to take her to a place around 150 Kms away, I dropped the laptop en route to my techie friend and requested him to finish the job. He managed to remove the IC after a lot of struggle. As the laptop had a few other problems as well, which were related to hard-disk, software etc. he attended to all that. He replaced the hard disk with a high speed one, as shutting down was not taking place properly. Loaded Windows 10 afresh and related programs as per my requirement. I picked it up on my second trip to the hospital for admission of my wife. The laptop was restored sans the LAN port, as the replacement IC was not available. Even one USB on that side could not be used. Anyhow, the laptop could work through WIFI. This article writing is being done on the same Laptop and I am happy to report that work was accomplished satisfactorily.
This photo was taken when I was checking the laptop, while my wife was undergoing surgery. Group Sherlock Holmes can see the hospital bed on the left side! (LOL) Thus the laptop survived after a life threatening strike by lightning.
The original internal hard disk was housed in a 2.5” USB 2.0 to Sata HDD Enclosure and connected externally. All my data was stored in it. The 256GB HDD inside the laptop was partitioned only to store essential data.
The story did not end there. I was using an external hard disk for backup. That was connected to the USB port next to the LAN port. When I tried to reconnect it to a different port, it showed, ‘over loading!’ Then I almost decided that in the list of damages, this also should be added. But I opened the hard disk and found the following:
Looking at the charred PCB of the interface board, if you have guessed the HDD had gone, you are wrong. I bought another USB port interface board and connected it and found the HDD was unaffected! Well, there is always happiness hidden under the debris, if only we do not easily give up in haste, and continue our pursuit until the dead end! Now that backup HDD is also connected to my laptop through USB Hub! HA! HA!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 72 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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Anwar Shiekh
June 3, 2022 at 9:36 pm
I have a house full of TrippLite Isobar surge protectors.
https://a1computerrepair.com/do-i-need-a-surge-protector/
claims
"Over 50% of equipment failures can be attributed to power surge/failure."
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 12:31 am
Many thanks for your tips and comments!
Anwar Shiekh
June 3, 2022 at 10:02 pm
Forgot to mention; Chipquik alloy makes removing such chips easy.
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:24 pm
Many thanks for your tips. Shall search for it and buy! (By the way, in this case, the lightning has come through network and not through power line!)
Anwar Shiekh
June 5, 2022 at 7:52 am
There are units that protect the coax and ethernet from surges
Albert van Bemmelen
June 3, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Glad that the laptop and hdd are restored! The RTL8111E chip is easily available for replacement of the now defect chip! See here:
Also more of these LAN chips can be bought in one order if needed!
Albert van Bemmelen
June 4, 2022 at 3:06 pm
PS: the still defect USB port maybe is now having a tiny failing 5V power delivering SMT Common Mode Line Filter that is burned through? And often exists out of two coils in a very tiny core. But it can also be some failing IC like a defective Texas Instruments TPD3S713-Q1 USB 2.0 Interface Protective IC. Which protects the USB ports upto 15kV! Or maybe this TPD4S014 IC also from TI. More info on the mentioned line filter coil can be found here: https://www.we-online.com/katalog/en/pbs/WE-CNSW.
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:28 pm
Many thanks for your detailed technical tips. My friend has checked every possible reasons and side defects and made the 5V ready (details are not known to me).
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:26 pm
We can't import these to India any more. It is banned. Many thanks for your tips!
Albert van Bemmelen
June 4, 2022 at 10:20 pm
Understood Parasuraman. Sorry to hear about the ordering limits to India.
About the mentioned SMT Common Mode Line Filter and protective ICs that can be the reason for a not working USB port.... this possibly also could apply to the LAN port if after replacing the chip the Ethernet/LAN port still doesn't work.
Luckily you said that your Wifi chip still worked (its Wifi Antenna is internally placed inside the LCD screen), and even if it didn't you then still can use an USB Wifi dongle instead. Same is possible if the mainboard soundchip/card is defect by using an external USB Soundcard dongle instead.
Tito Kanshulu
June 3, 2022 at 10:40 pm
Keep up the good work Sir, your explanation in all articles is well understood. By the way, didn't you burn the pcb board with all the heat which you applied in trying to remove the said ic?
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:29 pm
Many thanks! No, I did not, as the board is quite sturdy and I had pasted protective tapes and tin sheets on all four sides.
Babu M S
June 3, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Had a knowledge of laptop repair work. Thank you very much for sharing.May I know what is the item TrippLite isobar surge protectors as per Mr.Anwar Shiekh.
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:31 pm
Many thanks! I too searched for it and looks like that is an ELCB of MCB, as we call it. TrippLite might be a brand and that is not available here.
Yogesh Panchal
June 3, 2022 at 10:47 pm
Sir,
lightnings is one of the worst scenario for electronics.
Congratulations! for reviving the laptop because sometime Lightning makes equipment totally non repairable as your external HDD PCB.
Sir,
Do not keep connected your external HDD while you are working. it is just made for Data carry while Traveling & just for backup of your work; as soon as you finish the Backup job just remove it by giving "Safe to Remove Device Option" .
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Many thanks! Yes, I do connect the external HDD only when needed. Thanks for your tips, though!
Imoudu.O
June 4, 2022 at 12:49 am
Wow!! I'm short of adjective to describe ur knowledge. I think it's time for you to be give honorary doctor Award in electronic repairs.
Wishing ur wife speedily recovery.
Thanks for sharing sir.
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Many thanks, dear! I have conveyed your wishes to my wife! Special thanks for this too!
Imoudu.O
June 4, 2022 at 1:28 am
Talking about the ic,(a Is it a programmable ic? (d Are you saying removal of ic from board solved the initial problem and then replace ic back to board?.(c What brand is laptop?.is it foil used to surround the ic before soldering out?.
Anwar Shiekh
June 4, 2022 at 7:30 am
I believe it is a gigabit ethernet chip
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:35 pm
YEs!
Parasuraman S
June 4, 2022 at 7:35 pm
It is an ethernet IC. Removal of the IC and some issues in the 5V supply section (details are not known to me) solved the problem. Ic was not put back as it was not availbale. LENOVO is the brand of the Laptop.
ivan rivera
June 4, 2022 at 9:10 am
Buena reparacion ,buen consejo de quitar el ic ,me pregunto si cortar la alimentación del ic o cortar cada pin del ic con un buen cuchillo para levantar el chip,luego quitar cada pin de la placa usando el cautín ,resolveria el problema de otra forma Reciba mi saludo de bienestar para usted y su epsosa
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Good repair, good advice to remove the ic, I wonder if I cut the power to the ic or cut each pin of the ic with a good knife to lift the chip, then remove each pin from the board using the soldering iron, would it solve the problem in another way Receive my greeting of well-being for you and your epsosa
Parasuraman S
June 7, 2022 at 9:53 pm
The pins of this IC are underneath and barely visible. We cannot do it the same way we do with others. Moreover, it has a heat zinc under it. Many thanks for your wishes and comments!
Waleed Rishmawi
June 5, 2022 at 7:43 pm
Very interesting repair story. I hope your wife is doing well and that is the most important. Thanks for sharing
Parasuraman Subramanian
June 6, 2022 at 10:24 am
Yes, dear! She has got back her 60% senses on the right foot and able to walk around! Many thanks!
Lynn Blakely
June 12, 2022 at 3:38 am
This is a very interesting dialog, from several contributors, that have shared their knowledge. By removing the problems found and making the laptop operational,and by using the ports that still work, to have the use of peripherals, makes it still a useful computer. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this repair.