Faulty Laptop Power Connection

sortingitout2011

Hi,

I have a small Compaq laptop (13' screen, not quite a netbook I dont think) that I paid about £250 for about 2 years ago.

Unfortunately, the connection in the laptop where you insert the power cable is kaputt. For a while it worked if the cable was inserted in a certain way and literally sellotaped in the position to keep the connection, but now its completely gone.

I've tried a couple of new power cables and they have not worked so im certain its the connection in the laptop and not the power cable.

I'm a bit dubious about taking it to a pc world type tech, but is this something my local laptop specialist will be able to fix? And if so does anybody knwo how much it *might* cost, will it be worth it or should I give up the ghost and buy a new laptop?

Thanks

bob_a_builder

Its a common fault, due to people tripping over cable etc

A quick google will find a number of specialist firms who do just this sort of work

Avoid the PCworld type place at all costs

of course if you can find the parts and can get it apart and can solder - give it a go

macman

It's a cheap part and a quick soldering job, but the main work involved is stripping it right down to get to the port in the first place. Costs in the S.E. vary from £80 to £120, might be cheaper outside that area.
Don't even think about taking it to PCW, you need a laptop specialist-they do these repairs day in day out, as it's by far the most common laptop fault.

GunJack

Typical charge 35-45 to do power jack replacements, depends on how much effort is required to strip and rebuild. Find a good local mobile guy, no retail premesis overheads involved

macman

I'm guessing you are not in London/South East, Gunjack? You'd clean up down here.

GunJack

macman wrote: »

I'm guessing you are not in London/South East, Gunjack? You'd clean up down here.

too bl00dy right I'm not if I was, it might have to be a bit more

Must be said, though, pricing is a minefield, especially if you've got to compete with the fixed-price, no fix-no fee brigade which seem to have sprung up everywhere...I'm sure they must operate on the pcw mantra of "wipe hdd, clean install" (with a pre-prepared OS image) to try and fix almost everything in 3/4 of an hour :mad:

Hammyman

macman wrote: »

I'm guessing you are not in London/South East, Gunjack? You'd clean up down here.

I actually have a flyer from a company who specialise in laptop board repairs in London who charge £40 but they're trade only so there are some down there charging decent rates.