Posted on 03/16/2007 7:28:38 PM PDT by mom4kittys
I have to jiggle my power cord at the jack in order to get power or to charge my battery. It is very annoying because it moves every time I breathe if it is in my lap. How do I determine if it is the cord or the jack (or both) and if it is the jack, how is it repaired?
Does anyone else have this problem? I've been through several cords, but maybe there is a problem with the jack as well.
I had this problem with an HP laptop a few years back. The power jack had come detatched from the motherboard. I ended up getting a docking station for the laptop, it connected differently and avoided the broken power jack. It worked, anyway.
If you've gone through several cords then the problem is probably at the jack.
I've been trying to do some internet research but I'm not sure what keywords to use. I read something about a port replicator--do you know what that is? Would that help?
Is that an easy repair? How is that done? I don't want to send it off anywhere.
I actually had the same problem with my mouse dock, I took it apart and resoldered the wires at the jack and slightly crimped it to make a tighter connection. I would reckon its a similar problem with your jack.
Is it a direct, original cord made for the laptop, or one you bought off brand as a replacement?
Is it a single barrel DC plug? Is the plug male or female?
I replaced the cord about 6 months ago because I had a cord problem, but that one had an obvious short (could smell the electrical burn) that's why I'm not sure if I am having cord or jack problems. I know that is not the problem with this cord. I seem to have to twist it just right to get it to work and then when I breathe it moves and I lose power. What is the normal life of these cords?
The jack is male and yes, the replacement is from the manufacturer.
Wish I knew how to do that!
Port replicator = docking station. It's a piece of plastic you set your computer in, plug the cords into the docking station, and the station sends everything to the computer. Mostly it's used to let you easily connect and disconnect your laptop to a monitor and external keyboard.
Google the computer's model, the maker, and the words "port replicator" or "docking station". If the computer's a few years old, your best bet is Ebay. Otherwise check the maker.
re: port replicator
Nope. That's just to give you serial, parallel, and USB ports that you can plug into one of your current ports.
I have exactly the same problem with my laptop. Dog got excited and kicked the cord when it was plugged in. It's not the cord (I've tried multiples). So it is somewhere in the vicinity of where it gets plugged in.
If you are handy with a soldering iron and have a good set of jewelers screwdrivers, you MIGHT be able to fix it yourself. But having taken apart and fixed numerous laptops, it can be a pretty daunting task.
Had the same symptoms -- twice...
First time they sent me a new adapter -- was ok for a short while...
Second time in for factory depot maintenance they fixed it -- no probs since...
I don't know how to do that--darnit. I don't want to have to send it in for a fix though.
I guess I will try ANOTHER power cord---***sigh***
It's very annoying!
Do you know if there is an adaptor that will fit on the back where it plugs in to keep it more secure?
I don't think I really need the port replicator setup.
So, I guess that means if I'm not handy or dating enough to try myself, it means sending it in to the manufacturer? Don't want to hear that.
It's quite a hassle.
That's what I want to know about--what is this piggytail? Is that a homemade thing? Is there anything I can buy to relieve the stress on it?
As another poster noted, it's probably broken at the solder joint(s). If it's a round barrel type connector, then the jack may be distended and can be bent back in shape. Either way, if you know someone that's handy with electronics (i.e., has a soldering iron), he/she could fix it.
On the other hand, if you know an electronics geek (and I'm talking about someone who fixes or tinkers with the "guts" of electronics gear and not someone who likes the electronics department at Best Buy) you might convince them to do it. Search Ebay for the right power jack if you do know such a geek.
Do computer repair places (Geek Squad) provide these kinds of services?
Dunno, but it's worth a call. If all else fails, call a TV/radio repair shop (if they still exist).
I would call them and say "send the box"...
(Politely insist!!)
They should give you a repair order number and UPS/FDX will have a box at your door in the morning....
Blessings...
Unfortunately , if it is the jack, I will probably have to send it to them. I'm trying to avoid that.
good idea, come to think of it, i haven't seen any tv repair shops lately
I don't know if the problem is the power cord.....
But any power cord problem will not occur just anywhere along the length of the cord. It will occur where it connects. To the wall or to the laptop. Wall is less likely.
I would remove the battery. Then boot up into the bios. Start wiggling the cord at the the two connection points and see what kills your laptop's power.
I have to twist the cord right where it meets the jack. Do the cords get crimped inside and cause these problems?
I had the same problem 4 months ago. I took it to a local computer repair (mom & pop type) shop and they fixed it for me overnight. It was, indeed, the jack. It cost $115 and it's worked beautifully since. They also told me it's a tedious repair and that's why many places won't do it.
It's an easy repair IF you have experience taking apart laptops and kind of know what you're doing with a soldering iron.
It's a very common problem with laptops. Do a search on "laptop jack repair".
Thanks for the info, I guess I will call around. I know I'm not brave enough to try it myself. Hopefully, I can find someone not too expensive. $115 is not bad at all.
Does the jack need replacing or will soldering do the trick by itself?
Most likely it will need replacing if you've been wiggling the cord around for very long. They are really very fragile and once you start wiggling around the power cord your putting stress and strain on the jack.
The part will cheap less than $10 compared to the labor so just to be safe replace it.
I'm convinced it is the jack more than ever now.
Thank you so much!
No crimp inside
Most likely point of power cord failure is where the cord connects into the plug (jack) that you insert into the laptop. Through lots of bending and manipulation (I kind of doubt you are doing this) it becomes frayed at that point. Gets frayed within where you cannot see it
Yeah probably the laptop's jack needs attention. But try this. I see you live in a humid state (LA)
Connections get spotty due to oxidation. I have problems with this in FL. Try cleaning your laptop jack and the plug-in by inserting in and out ten times to rub off any oxidation. It might do the trick
I like to keep the windows open so get more humidity and oxidation. It is invisible.
I wisk it was easy to tell. I'm pretty sure it is the jack now. The computer is only about a year old and I've already been through a couple of cords. (One time thanks to my kitten though, so that doesn't count lol!)
Push jack in and out ten times to rub off any possible oxidation. Might do the trick, but I think it's the laptop's jack. Interesting how others have had jack problems and needed soldering and repairs
I will try that. You know I've had similiar problems with my car's cigarette lighter hole that I use for my cell phone charger. I've had to have it fixed several times, replaced, got an adapter to make it fir better and it STILL doesn't work right--drives me batty. Almost every time I take the charger out of the cigarette lighter hole, it takes the lighter mechanism with it and kills the lighter for power purposes. They have to fix the harness constantly and it involves pulling part of the dash out. Next car will have a designated power port.
I had a similar problem with an HP a few years ago. The first time HP fixed it under warranty. It happened again and ended up being more expensive to fix than to get a new one because the "short" was actually in the mother board and the charging cord no longer could make the connection to power it or charge the battery. It is a known problem for HP's so you may want to contact them.
Oh dear, I hope it's not that bad!
Could be oxidation and corrosion due to humidity
You're quite welcome :). Mine was a replacement. They said they'd try to fix the original, but I told them to replace it since they were going to be in there anyway. The price difference wasn't that great.
Thank you to everybody. I called the manufacturer today and they are sending me a new ower cord. If that doesn't solve the problem, they say they have to replace my motherboard. Isn't that a bit much?
Anyway, it won't cost me anything because I have an extended warranty and I'm covered--thank goodness.
It's child's play for them to replace a motherboard. That's what the jack is soldered onto. They give you a new (or refurbished) one and repair the one from yours. To use for someone else.
If the new power cord doesn't do the trick....If you want to bust their b**** insist on a brand new motherboard ....
You better believe it! This is becoming more than aggrevating.
This is the normal procedure for this type of problem.
The good thing is it is still under warranty.
Laptops always need warranties. I can deal with a desktop w/ no warranty. I can fix desktops but laptops are beyond me at this point. I fixed my own laptop, replaced the hard drive. Had to take it apart to do this.
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