Alienware M17x Laptop motherboard may be dead

[thumper69]

We use a laptop to connect to an omron CPM2A serial port for programming and data transfer. Using a usb to serial adaptor and a blackbox connecting cable. The operator of the equipment had a failed ac power plug that powers the plc and changed it reversing the hot and neutral lines. the result was when connecting the plc to laptop it blew out adapter, plc, and laptop. apparently it sent 115 volt ac via ground into usb port of laptop. Laptop appears to try and power up but shuts down after a few seconds. Any repair possible or do i need new motherboard.

[mon2]

Re: Laptop motherboard may be dead

Post details of the laptop. To avoid downtime, a replacement is probably the quick resolution. In the future, consider to use galvanic isolated USB to serial dongles.

[thumper69]

Re: Laptop motherboard may be dead

The laptop i would like to repair is a Alienware M17x. I agree replace motherboard would be the quickest, but time is really not an issue. I also agree that an isolated dongle would make a lot of sense. WE have used the gear dongle hundreds of times without any problems. never thought of the possibly of the ac wires reversed.