the kids' laptop, a 2005 Gateway MX6030, suffered a 4th-degree burn and is dead. upon examination, a chip is found to have burned, possibly a voltage regulator (but there is no heat sink on it). the chip is labeled 4407, but i have no idea what it is exactly, even though i'm an electrical engineer. i don't even recognize the manufacturer's logo -- it looks like a capital script "P." shame on me! after checking a few parts catalogs, 4407 is still nowhere to be found. this laptop is made in China, and chances are this part is from a local supplier. they do that all the time to save on cost. if there is a hardware engineer out there who can identify the chip, i'd appreciate it very much. needless to say, a schematic or BOM (bill of materials) of the motherboard would be really helpful. UPDATE (8/03/2008) a closer look at the connections to this component reveals that it's a 3-terminal device -- the bottom 4 pins (5, 6, 7, 8) are tied together, and 3 of the top pins (1, 2, 3) are tied together. this means it's certainly an analog device passing through quite a bit of power, most likely part of a voltage regulator. if that's the case, i might be able to find substitutes, as the specs of such devices have quite a bit of leeway, i think.

Using lighting to make an engineer look like a rock star. Strobist info: Back right and left 1600 wl with barn doors at 14/th power and 7 degree reflector pointed at the side of the head. Behind subject 11 degree reflector with 1600 wl. at 1/4 power pointed at back garage door. Front right 1600 wl 1/4 power in 40 inch octabank point at face and body. Octabank is high and right pointed down at 45 degree angle. All fired with pocket wizards.