Re: problem with Dell laptop
- From: linker3000 <linker3000@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:38:10 +0100
Iain Robinson wrote:
Hi all
Got a Dell Latitude laptop I need to reinstall and sort out for its next owner. Problem is it doesn't charge the battery when I plug in the AC adaptor. I'm certain it's the correct adaptor for that model of laptop but it just stays on battery power when connected to the mains, after a fresh install. I tried a replacement battery and that doesn't charge either. I tried a different AC adaptor but that was the same so I don't think it's the adaptor but where it plugs into the back of the laptop - the cable goes in okay but when it's in you can wiggle the whole socket about a little bit which I'm sure it shouldn't. I'm thinking that maybe it's taken a knock and something is busted inside, like where the power socket connects to the motherboard. Is that 'part' even replaceable or does that mean a new motherboard or something equally tricky/expensive? I've never opened a laptop before but would be willing to give it a try, as long as it's not a suicide mission!
Needless to say the previous owner (no longer with the company) didn't report any problem.
cheers,
Iain
It's certainly possible for the power socket to have busted off the motherboard - I have repaired a few Toshes where this has happened. The fix generally involves:
Re-seating the connector flush with the motherboard with some additional physical support such as Araldite (best) or hot melt glue (better if you ever think you are going to have to replace the connector in the future as you can cut off the glue). Do not use superglue as the fumes can damage nearby electronic components and might not work with some plastics/composites (glass filled nylon) anyway.
Once the connector is re-seated, you check whether the copper motherboard tracks to the power connector are just cracked or mangled to pieces:
If just cracked you can solder over the breaks to make a good electrical connection.
If mangled you need to remove the mangled bits (with a soldering iron), remove a few mm of coating from the ends of the remaining tracks on the motherboard (scalpel, craft knife or flat jeweller's screwdriver) and solder some link wires from these points to the contacts on the power connector, taking care not to heat the tracks for too long or more will lift off. Sometimes its easier to solder from the power connector to the solder point of the first component up the track, having cleaned up the mangled bits to make sure they do not short together at some time in the future.
To compensate for the extra heating done to the copper tracks (which can weaken their bond to the motherboard), I often cover the area with hot melt glue - again, this can always be cut off if a further repair is needed later.
The trickiest part is dismantling the laptop - often not for the weak of heart.
Good luck.
.
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