HPR4661: Laptop Computer Woes, or How I Learned to Love My Tech Hoarding

This show has been flagged as Clean by the host.

• Blog post: https://claudiomiranda.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/laptop-computer-woes-or-how-i-learned-to-love-my-tech-hoarding/
• HP ProBook 4540s specifications: https://support.hp.com/au-en/product/product-specs/hp-probook-4540s-notebook-pc/
• Tonymacx86 forum post on the 1920x1080 screen upgrade for the ProBook 4540s: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/4540s-lcd-screen-1080p-replacement.88212/
• Panelook.com link to the LG156WF1 screen variants: https://www.panelook.com/modelsearch.php?keyword=LP156WF1&search_id=1839426
• HP ProBook 4540s teardown and screen upgrade video by JSnake Repair: https://youtu.be/3ceZ1m7JFYw?t=1252

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Mark R

@hpr

Listened to this one in the future feed.
Good show.

#OldTech

gemlog

@claudiom
Everytime you mention EVOO, what I hear: Extra Virgin Olive Oil! :-)

ClaudioM

@gemlog As do I. :flan_laugh:​

gemlog

@claudiom Bad caps are common in older equipment. It seems to me there was a period of time years ago when a huge batch of sub-standard caps was distributed.
Thanks for the show btw. Still listening, I'm up to the bit where you reach out to your boy and grandfather. Of course, I know this story already from fedi ;-)
It's been a long time since I made a show for HR...

ClaudioM

@gemlog That was around the early to mid 2000s, but shouldn't have been an issue for a laptop manufactured in 2020. Still, as I mentioned, it might have been my fault, but it could also be the quality of the design coming from Taiwan.

I may be recording an update to this since my son's grandfather managed to find the problem (shorted out MOSFET caused by the cap blowout). I already bought a proper charger for it in preparation to get it back (hopefully before Father's Day :flan_wink:​).

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