Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
1 edit | Laptop power input damaged
I have a Dell Insperon 700m Laptop. I think that the port where you plug in the power adapter is breaking away from the main board. I'm a little out of practice on my old solder iron. I'm not comfortable soldering inside my laptop. I understand that this is a fairly common issue. What could I reasonably expect to pay for this repair? I live in the Denver area
Edit: Wrong Laptop, it's the Dell that has the problem.
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DiscardedVet
Premium
join:2005-04-06
Sturgis, SD
4 edits | Obviously, by my doing a repair of one just as yours is going, it's a very common problem. The only thing holding the plug to the board is solder - that's it!!
You will be MUCH better off, imo, to order the jack/circuit board assembly as a unit, and reinstall it yourself. I saw one for $90 online, but that was only one stop, as I was looking for just the plug without the board, so I am sure it can be found much cheaper, to even more offset what a shop would want. I got just the plug to solder onto the existing adapter board for $22, incl 2 day shipping. Mind you, the solder points are extremely tight on this part, sounds like you are as I am with soldering anymore - I had a friend with steady hands and working eyeballs do this one, lol.
If you are ok with tearing your laptop apart, or are even just assembly-minded, it is a no-brainer to install the plug/board assembly. The board itself makes its connection to the mobo via a ribbon, no soldering if you get the whole part, just screws. I have the link at Dell for schematics on the 700m if you'de like.
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PeteC2
Got Mouse?
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT
clubs:
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| I agree with DiscardedVet. It may not be just the solder that is the problem, often when this happens, but some of the associated circuitry as well.
Unfortunately, this is an all too common problem with many brands of notebooks today.
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | reply to DiscardedVet
Sure, what's the link? |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | reply to PeteC2
So you think it's probably not worth the trouble to get a new jack, and solder it? |
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PeteC2
Got Mouse?
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join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT
clubs:
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| said by Rexter  :So you think it's probably not worth the trouble to get a new jack, and solder it? Tough question, because it really can go either way, although all too often there is also associated damage to the circuitry that makes just replacing the jack ineffective.
I think that I would carefully disassemble the laptop, making sure that you have the tech manual for it (I do not know about Dell, but for example HP/Compaq, you can easily download a very detailed manual on any model) and check it out first. Heck, don't get me wrong, if you can make a repair, and avoid having to replace anything else, that would be ideal. I have heard though from a number of folks with different brands/models, that all too often found that just replacing the input jack itself did not solve all the associated problems.
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...something is happening here but you don't know what it is...do you, Mr. Jones? |
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DiscardedVet
Premium
join:2005-04-06
Sturgis, SD
| reply to Rexter
said by Rexter :Sure, what's the link? Er, I thought I had the link, I had the downloaded webpages(s), so I found the Dell link anyway ........
»support.dell.com/support/edocs/s···ndex.htm
The manual doesn't go so far as "remove two screws holding DC adapter board", but once you get as deep as the system board, you will see those two screws (and ribbon) that are attached to the adapter board.
Curious, what makes yo believe it is going out? Are you having trouble charging? Is the adapter plug rocking back and forth? Does charging start/stop just by wiggling the plug or laptop in whole?
Inquiring Geeks want to know !! lol
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| said by DiscardedVet :Curious, what makes yo believe it is going out? I have to place a book under the power plug, with the weight of the computer sitting on the jack in order to get power.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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yuutomo
The Wonder Kitter
Premium
join:2001-08-27
Missoula, MT | reply to Rexter
how long ago did you buy this 700m? |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | I want to say 2-3 years ago. Why? |
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yuutomo
The Wonder Kitter
Premium
join:2001-08-27
Missoula, MT | reply to Rexter
you may still be under warranty, I'd check. |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | Ah, no. I bought it used. Dell wants nothing to do with users who bought a used machine. Just one of the many reason not to buy Dell. |
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Rifleman
Premium
join:2004-02-09
p1a
clubs:
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 ·Cogeco Cable
1 edit | reply to Rexter
My son's new Acer did that. The jack broke inside the machine. I ordered the whole card peice and had to tear the whole laptop down to replace it. Scary job for my first time.
Online places wanted up to 100 bucks for the card and 25 or so for just a jack to resolder. The local shop got the entire card for 28 bucks.
Here is one place that fixes it flat rate of 125 bucks.
»www.powerjackrepair.net/dell_pow···air.html
Here is the Dell jack only:
»laptopjacks.co.uk/
Here is the card I bought and much easier to just replace---
»www.notebooksolutions.ca/zc/inde···_id=2773 |
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Rifleman
Premium
join:2004-02-09
p1a
clubs: | reply to Rexter
Sorry---didn't see a poster above alredy mentioned it. |
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habya
Premium
join:2003-05-29
Huntsville, AL
clubs:
| reply to Rexter
said by Rexter :Ah, no. I bought it used. Dell wants nothing to do with users who bought a used machine. Just one of the many reason not to buy Dell. I know this won't answer your question, but Dell has a very easy warranty transfer. Of course they won't deal with it if you did not properly transfer the warranty, they have no reason to.
All ya gotta do is fill out this form
»support.dell.com/support/topics/···transfer
Just thought it might be useful if you ever come across a situation with a used Dell again  .
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DadeMurphy
Rbettenc
Premium
join:2002-07-25
Danvers, MA
clubs:
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| reply to Rexter
I've replaced a couple jacks in laptops during my time and everytime I did I got the entire board, but before installing it I desoldered the jack on the new board and JB welded it back on, of course reapplying the solder afterwards. To me this offers a couple of advantages over either option presented previously, basically you guarantee you have a good board and you help prevent the problem from happening in the future. You may not want to go through the extra steps of desoldering and resoldering but I personally like the extra peace of mind.
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| reply to DiscardedVet
Well, I dusted off the ol' soldering iron, and gave it a go. I got it working, but the board is also crack, so I'm not sure it will work long-term. I think I'm gonna go ahead and replace the board. This is the only source I have found.
»www.impactcomputers.com/48-43e03-011.html
Do you know of any others?
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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DiscardedVet
Premium
join:2005-04-06
Sturgis, SD
| Heh, that's where I got my plug from.
I saw the whole board that you refer to somewhere else tho, for a hundred less !!! No clue whatsoever where it was - shop around for sure!
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Bush is the Prez....Think Patriot Act II....This outspoken dissident....In jail I'll be soon. |
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IllIlIlllIll
EliteData
Premium
join:2003-07-06
Lindenhurst, NY
1 edit | reply to Rexter
yes you may be able to replace the dc jack yourself provided that you have good soldering skills.
you will need a temperature controlled soldering iron.
plenty on flourecent light.
solder-sucker, liquid flux and solder wick.
since most jacks are soldered through the board, you have to carefully heat up and suck away the solder being cautious not to overheat the board and the components nearby as that will cause damage.
sometimes it is impossible to remove all the solder, in this case, it is easier to saturate the terminals with solder, heat one or more at a time and gently pull one side out, switching to the next side and repeating the process until it comes off the board with just solder attached, at which point you can heat the remaining solder and remove the jack.
do not apply extreme force or heat as these are 3 or 4 layer boards with connections internal to the board that cannot be repaired.
once the jack is removed, you can then use a solder sucker or solder wick to remove the remaining solder from the points on the board and install the new jack, soldering both sides of the jack to ensure a firm solid connection.
it may sound easy at first, until you do it.
after spending about an hour, you may even forget how to re-assemble the laptop, at which point you cross your fingers and "pray" that it works.
if you have any plans on selling this laptop, please send me a private message.
thanks.
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| Soldering It was fine. I also was able to put it back together without a hitch. The problem I have is the board that it's soldered to is damaged, and I can't find a replacement that's reasonably priced.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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