Computer help / support group - please help me with my power problem

[mdmc]

Hello Group.
I am having a power chord problem with my laptop. The power chord is not properly connecting to the laptop. The connection is only successful when I push on the plug.

Is there any fix for a faulty power chord connection? I just purchased the chord a couple months ago..

[hobbit709]

1. The jack on the motherboard probably needs to be fixed

I've seen a lot of this lately. The solder connections have gotten loose or broken, mainly because they don't do a good job of properly securing the jack against movement. Pulling the power plug incorrectly helps this to fail. The plug should always be removed by the plug and not by pulling on the wire.

[mdmc]

2. is there any way to get this repaired?

thanks for the info..

can i get the jack on the motherboard fixed?

[hobbit709]

3. Find a place that does laptop repairs

you're probably looking at $80 or more to have it done.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

4. There are usually local places that are pretty good at things like this

Don't use Geek Squad or any other big box store service. They're overpriced and suck.

Instead, look for a small, locally owned computer shop. Make sure you talk with the owner and/or technician first and find out if you won't have to pay if they can't fix it. Many will do so.

If you can't find a local company to fix the problem, you should contact your laptop manufacturer. If it's under warranty, do this first since it won't cost you anything.

[BlueJazz]

6. Boy....same here...I've repaired this problem about 6 times in the past year.

You know, you would think as common as this problem is, that the manufacturers would either make the Female plug more ..ah...Robust or make the female plug a separate part and solder the wires to the motherboard so any movement wouldn't break the damn connections. :)

[lpbk2713]

5. Is the power plug "L" shaped?

You may be able to use a temporary workaround with a stout rubber band going across the top of the laptop (left to right) holding the plug in place. This of course just to get you by until you can make more permanent repairs.

[mdmc]

7. Thank you

I did use a rubber band and it worked.. I also tried to get a local computer repair place to fix my laptop - I called 2 places - both say they do not replace the dc jack - they just replace the motherboard..

[paparush]

8. Is It a Dell Laptop?

The reason I ask is that Dell has (or maybe its changed by now) a sensor on the motherboard that detected if the power adapter was a DELL brand adapter. If so, everything is hunky dory. If not, if you bought a cheaper, 3rd party adapter, it will power the machine, but it will not charge the battery.

We ran into this issue with my wife's old Dell Inspiron 1525, which is now a lovely doorstop. Aparently, the power adapter's cord contained an unshielded copper wire that acted as an extension for the wireless card. However, some theorize that the unshielded wire allowed for voltage fluctuations that fried the motherboard. Sigh.