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Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)
I have a two year old HP Pavillion that is out of warranty. The DC
socket at the back is loose. As a result, the AC power adaptor is not
making contact most of the time. If I hold the plug, the battery will
charge up. If I let go of the power plug, the battery eventually get
drained. It is definitely a mechanical problem, a soldering iron may
fix it up.
My laptop is like a toaster oven, it is very hot especially during the
recharging of the battery. I wonder if the heat melted something near
the socket to make it come loose. Is this problem common to HP
laptops?
I tried to open up the laptop, I removed all screws on the bottom,
something seems to stick. Is there any website with some graphics to
show where all the screws are, especially any hidden ones?
After the failed attempt, I tried the professionals. I followed HP
Customer Support's advice and took the machine to Best Buy, CompUSA,
MicroCenter. I even tried Fry's. All the answers are similar. I
probably need a new mother board for the loosen socket. That would
cost me over $900 for part only, snap on the labor, I would be
spending over a grand on just a stupid connection problem. Some store
said they cannot give me an estimate, but sending the Laptop out to
their service vendor has a minimum charge of $600. Another store
offered a $99 investigation fee that does not apply to any repair that
may follow.
If it is a major problem, expensive repair is expected. But for minor
issue like a power socket, I didn't expect such a high fee.
I have considered other options.
1. buy a docking station that will supply the power via the bottom,
not the socket. But I am not sure if a docking station will actually
recharge the battery or does it just supply the power to the hardware
directly? If latter, then my laptop will never be portable again.
Anyone know the answer?
2. open up the chassis and tried to fix the socket. In the worst
case, if the socket is beyond repair or it is not replacable without
swapping the mother board. I don't mind soldering a dongle type
socket as long as I can plug in the AC adaptor. I cannot do this
without figuring out how to open up the laptop.
Any pointers are greatly appreciated.
Please post response, my email address often fails.
I have a two year old HP Pavillion that is out of warranty. The DC
socket at the back is loose. As a result, the AC power adaptor is not
making contact most of the time. If I hold the plug, the battery will
charge up. If I let go of the power plug, the battery eventually get
drained. It is definitely a mechanical problem, a soldering iron may
fix it up.
My laptop is like a toaster oven, it is very hot especially during the
recharging of the battery. I wonder if the heat melted something near
the socket to make it come loose. Is this problem common to HP
laptops?
I tried to open up the laptop, I removed all screws on the bottom,
something seems to stick. Is there any website with some graphics to
show where all the screws are, especially any hidden ones?
After the failed attempt, I tried the professionals. I followed HP
Customer Support's advice and took the machine to Best Buy, CompUSA,
MicroCenter. I even tried Fry's. All the answers are similar. I
probably need a new mother board for the loosen socket. That would
cost me over $900 for part only, snap on the labor, I would be
spending over a grand on just a stupid connection problem. Some store
said they cannot give me an estimate, but sending the Laptop out to
their service vendor has a minimum charge of $600. Another store
offered a $99 investigation fee that does not apply to any repair that
may follow.
If it is a major problem, expensive repair is expected. But for minor
issue like a power socket, I didn't expect such a high fee.
I have considered other options.
1. buy a docking station that will supply the power via the bottom,
not the socket. But I am not sure if a docking station will actually
recharge the battery or does it just supply the power to the hardware
directly? If latter, then my laptop will never be portable again.
Anyone know the answer?
2. open up the chassis and tried to fix the socket. In the worst
case, if the socket is beyond repair or it is not replacable without
swapping the mother board. I don't mind soldering a dongle type
socket as long as I can plug in the AC adaptor. I cannot do this
without figuring out how to open up the laptop.
Any pointers are greatly appreciated.
Please post response, my email address often fails.