Hi, MY 1260 didn't smoke etc. but I did have to have the board replaced. It cost about the same but I have gotten at least 5 more years of sewing out of it and it is still going. I have purchased another Bernina sewing machine a 230 last year primarily to take on my retreat as it weighs a good ten lbs. less than my 1260. Irionically it has more stitches than my older favorite. It also cost half what the a third of what the 1260 did but I had to spend another $300 to have it upgraded with a knee bar and foot pedal that did the same things as my old friend. If the computer board goes again I will probably have to give up on my old friend as I doubt the parts will be available. In the meantime it keeps plugging along.