Spectre x360 faulty motherboard with burnt capacitor and sticker

[bond1961]

I have just expierenced what appears to be the second identical capacitor failure on 1st generation x360s. The tell tale pin hole in the "Replace with HP Spare" sticker, caused by the heat from the failed surface mount capacitor below it. With the most recent failure, I was able to get sparks to shot out of the failed capacity be connecting the AC power supply, which is a dramtic demonstration of the failure.

The first unit failed in 2017 after about 18 months, and HP disappointingly declined to offer any meaningful compensation for the out of warranty unit. The second unit (purchase 2015) just died a couple weeks ago, and it  is that unit that is associated with the attached photos.. 

[CherylG]

Sorry to hear about 2 failed Spectres. I have seen this issue on the forum and different resolutions offered -everything from  $600 for new motherboard to a discount coupon on another laptop.

Several members have reported using this service with good results.

https://www.ebay.com/str/computerspartsrus

[bond1961]

For a 2015 era laptop, it is probably a better investment to get a replacement laptop than risk replacing the motherboard (with another motherboard that may have the same inherent design/component flaw). In my view given the regularity of occurence, this is not a random failure but rather an HP design/component flaw.

[CherylG]

I believe the repair service replaces the bad/burned capacitor. It isn't actually the motherboard that is bad in this case but the only repair HP offers is full board replacement. Of course, it is your call but if it was mine I would invest the $100. I tend to try to hang on to favorite laptops though and the Spectre is one of them. 😊

[bond1961]

>"I believe the repair service replaces the bad/burned capacitor."I

I am not sure what "the repair service" is. Please forgive my skeptisism, but having spent hours with HP on this issue, including escalations, never once as repairing a motherboard haver mentioned as an option. I am very curious what your information source is. 

Sure you can find people with soldering iron that will replace SMDs on a motherboard, but that is certainly a risky proposition.For example you may not now the extent of the motherboard damage (besides the melted SMD that shoots sparks, might their be seconday damage)?

Aruging this is not a motherboard failure is a sematic argument. (at what point is a mother beyond the point of "reapir")

[CherylG]

I posted a link in my earlier reply about other members using this repair service.

   Several members have reported using this service with good results.

    https://www.ebay.com/str/computerspartsrus

[bond1961]

Got it, thanks. The "parts" URL is infact a 3rd party repair service.