Laptop Loose Power Connection

PJB

I have a problem with my Fujitsu Siemens Pi1505 that is out of warranty. It does not charge unless the AC adapter is ata certain ange. Been quoted 100-135 to fix and considering can get replacement laptop for about 200 or more with warranty not worth the cost. It still works if you wedge the adaptor to a certain angle.

Seems that this fault is common on FS laptops. Mine is just over 2 years old and i would think that a connection for a computer that is designed to sit on your lap should be pretty strong to resist this, so could be covered as consumer, any thoughts?

Wanted to know how simple/difficult it is to solder the offending connection.

Any advice/assistance gratefully received, thanks

soapsudsandsalts

i have a toshiba and mine has gone back to pc world they never batted an eyelid when i told them it won't recharge had 2 weeks left on watterty thank god

Halloway

Generally issues such as this means that either there is a retaining spring which has slackened or one of the 'legs' of the connector has come away, meaning that pressure from a certain angle is required to make the connection.

I would say that if you can get the case open then it shouldn't be too difficult a soldering job. Have a look on the web for instructions on how to open up your model. Because connectors are (comparatively) large objects it's usually fairly obvious where the break is and not difficult to fix, so long as you have a bit of soldering experience and a bit of confidence.

PJB

I have no experience of late! But as i remember from 10 or more years ago even if you c*ck it up you can melt it off and start again????

fwor

As Halloway says, there are several ways in which the connectors can break - sometimes the connection to the PCB fails, which is generally easy to fix, and sometimes it's part of the socket itself, which is generally not.

If the former, the soldering will probably be easy, but getting at it will probably not (lots of tiny screws and bits of casing that give no external clue as to what holds them on).

If you're going to solder something having not done it for years, it's a good idea to practice on a piece of scrap electrical gear first to re-learn how not to end up with a massive blob of solder that covers several components at once...

Halloway

Like fwor says. Plus, make sure you have some desoldering braid or a solder sucker handy. The other thing is to make sure you apply the soldering iron for the minimum amount of time. You don't want to start heating up surrounding components.

Nex0

Funny enough I have just finished doing one of these today on a packard bell although I have known them to go on hp's as well I think its just a rubbish design in general to be honest and they cant really take the amount of punishment they get.

I don't think you need to be a expert with a soldering iron to get them of so if you have soldered before you should be ok but if not then get someone else to do it.

I actually got my replacement connector of ebay for £5.50 as it seemed the easiest place to find the right one.

5bellies_2

The DC power socket is a weak point on virtually all laptops.

The worst thing you can do it to keep on fiddling with a loose connection once it starts playing up. All that 'propping the cable at a certain angle' causes the loose socket to connect and disconnect from the PCB, and it can cause the board to spark and burn. Once the board is burnt, there's a much lower chance of a cheap repair.

PJB

It seems that it is a relatively easy matter to fix. But i am not sure i want to undertake it!
Is there any recourse against Fujitsu as this is a weak spot and it should last for more than the 2 years i have had it, surely?
Otherwise any advice on a fair price to pay for the repair please, as not sure want to pay £100+ if it is a weak point and could go again!!!

bookduck

While dissembling your pc, have some masking tape available.

After removing each screw, (a) tape the screw next to the hole, (b) draw an arrow on the tape that point to the hole. This will make suer the screw goes in the correct hole and is of the correct length.

Do not over tighten/strip the screws!

josha007

I have a Compaq R3000 which are notorious for loose ac adaptor connections.I'm pretty sure mine is a soldering job but I'm not going to do it myself. Looking for somewhere which will do it cheap.But thats hard to find