We have now had multiple Gateway M-6750, M-6755 (M-Series) laptops come in with the identical problem.
Models affected:
Gateway M-Series notebook computers including M-6750, M-6755. Other models may be posted here in the future.
Symptoms:
The user may hear metal jingling around in their laptop. When the user is using the laptop, it may suddenly shut off, or the laptop may begin smoking. Once this has happened the laptop will not turn on at all. When the power adapter is connected to the laptop it shows no signs of life at all, no power LEDs. When the power button is pressed nothing happens.
Problem:
A piece of metal inside the laptop comes loose, touches the motherboard, causing it to short out. While the metal is shorting quite a bit of heat may be generated. We are not sure at this point if this model is a fire hazard or not, but enough heat is generated to discolor the metal inside the laptop and burn the top layer of the motherboard.
Solution:
We have called Gateway’s tech support and the representatives say that there are no known issues with this model. If they will not fix it the only solution is to replace the motherboard or have it repaired by a specialist. Here we have been able to repair around 65% of the motherboards that have been fried by pieces of metal floating around. Some need some fuses replaced, some are a little more complicated and some have suffered irreparable damage. It is free for us to check them out, if we can repair the motherboard we charge $149. The motherboards may be replaced but this is usually not cost effective.
