RE: OT - Toshiba M400 Laptop repair

Another area where Apple has a better way with the magnetically attached
power connector.

Now that I have an iPhone, I've become an advocate :)

I've got my I6000 in at a shop for repair. If they do well, I'll have
them fix the M400

Arghh

-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Myers [mailto:ben_myers_spam_me_not@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Posted At: Friday, September 14, 2007 11:49 AM
Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
Conversation: OT - Toshiba M400 Laptop repair
Subject: Re: OT - Toshiba M400 Laptop repair

ALL brands of laptop computers these days suffer from the failed power
connector
syndrome because the manufacturers almost always attach the power
connector to
the motherboard only with the solder needed to make electrical
contact.
Solder,
being a soft amalgam, suffers from the constant stress caused by
plugging and
unplugging the power supply. Finally, it cracks and then fractures,
and there
is no longer contact to provide the necessary AC to power the computer
and
charge the battery.

HP has had a class action lawsuit about this power connector mess.
Dells
break. Sonys and Gateways break. IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads break.
Toshibas break
and on and on and on. eBay is absolutely littered with auction items
of broken
laptop computers that will not power up.

The solution is a simple design change, adding something better to
hold
the
power connector snug to the motherboard. Unfortunately, there is not
enough
public outcry and embarrassment to force the industry to change.

If the tablet is a core duo, it cost a few bucks and is probably worth
bringing
back to life. Your best bet is to contact a company that does repairs
of laptop
power connectors. This is now a growing cottage industry. Your
other choice
is to do it yourself with an inexpensive (usually less than $20)
replacement
connector. Personally I would not do it, but someone with a very
steady hand,
lots of soldering experience, and the right equipment to de-solder the
old
connector and solder the new one can do it.

Another one of my rants, huh? ... Ben Myers

On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:25:28 -0400, "Tom Scales" <tjscales@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Anyone have any thoughts on why this won't power up? I'm guessing
the
power connector, as the tip on the charger is broken. Bought a new
charger, but it doesn't fix the problem.

It's out of warranty, but a nice core duo tablet PC. Hate to trash
it.

Suggestions welcome.

Tom

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: A8N-SLI & EATX
    ... The 24 pin power connector is the same as the 20 pin connector, ... The EZ-Plug connectors ...
    (alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus)
  • Re: Toshiba AC adapter
    ... I've run a 1415-S173 from 2.7 amp adapters you can get away with it. ... With the laptop turned off and no battery installed, anything that can supply 15 volts at even a quarter amp should cause the power LED to come on. ... You have a problem either on the motherboard or on the power connector. ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
  • Re: Hard drive power lead question
    ... Think you are right about it being a faulty power connector. ... Popped in an extra hard drive this afternoon, into the computer - on another power socket - and it's taken that perfectly. ... The power connector had perhaps been on gradual decline for a while, since I had a similar problem in January. ... Swap the cables back and see>> if the ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: Dell Inspiron 1150 Wont power on (PSU is working)
    ... Measure the voltage from the power supply, but measure it inside the laptop, past the power connector. ... I also checked resistance on the ground at various ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
  • Re: Toshiba AC adapter
    ... I did manage to take the laptop down to the ... They don't make external battery chargers for this model or I would just get ... focusing too much on the wrong thing (the overall power rating). ... You have a problem either on the motherboard or on the power connector (on ...
    (comp.sys.laptops)
Loading