Broken Laptop Plug

Viridis · 08-10-2010, 01:18 PM

Nephew broke computer. Advise. Have about an hour of battery. Unable to charge. Charger plug physically forced back into case. Will be turning computer off and checking back in periodically.

bluestarultor · 08-10-2010, 01:31 PM

You need a new cord. Go to Best Buy or another electronics store and get one with interchangable heads. I have a Kensington that was the cheapest they had a Best Buy and it works just fine. You won't need a fancy, expensive one.

Or do you mean the port on the computer got broke? In that case, you need a new computer. Either that, or a new mobo if you got it from somewhere like Best Buy, but if it's not under warranty, you'd probably be best off just buying a new lappy.

Professor Smarmiarty · 08-10-2010, 01:54 PM

Can you explain issue more clearly? You should be able to open up the plug and rewire it as far as I understand your issue.

bluestarultor · 08-10-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smarty McBarrelpants

Can you explain issue more clearly? You should be able to open up the plug and rewire it as far as I understand your issue.

Opening up the box on the cord is not a good idea. That's the PSU. They keep a lot of charge even after they've been unplugged for a while and he doesn't need to be getting thrown across the room or worse. If you mean the inside of the laptop, a lot of the time, the power jack is built right onto the motherboard. If that's the case with his, he either needs a new mobo or a very steady soldering hand.

Viridis · 08-10-2010, 06:09 PM

The port on the laptop where the plug goes is not visible. Just an empty black void. He somehow jammed it back inside the case or something.

bluestarultor · 08-10-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viridis

The port on the laptop where the plug goes is not visible. Just an empty black void. He somehow jammed it back inside the case or something.

You're going to need a new motherboard or laptop.

Professor Smarmiarty · 08-10-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestarultor

Opening up the box on the cord is not a good idea. That's the PSU. They keep a lot of charge even after they've been unplugged for a while and he doesn't need to be getting thrown across the room or worse. If you mean the inside of the laptop, a lot of the time, the power jack is built right onto the motherboard. If that's the case with his, he either needs a new mobo or a very steady soldering hand.

We do it pretty regularly with a screwdriver, had no problems with it. Shit we do it on our 20,000V systems as well. I f you don't be stupid, you'll be fine.
If you worried make sure everything grounded first, along with you.
Laptop batteries aren't massive current, you'll be fine.
Don't shock yourself though. Or turn your battery into a bomb- that could cause some damage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viridis

The port on the laptop where the plug goes is not visible. Just an empty black void. He somehow jammed it back inside the case or something.

You're going to have to open the laptop and have a look. As Blues says it probably not fixable but it's possible. If you can take a look at the damage it'll be easier to assess how damaged it is.
Is it possible if you look inside the hole to see the power slot at all? If you can see it you could just strip off the head and poke through the wire directly- a bit dodgey but it works.

I mean you should probably just buy a new computer. But if you poor, you can try jury-rig it, power supply is fairly simple thing though you can shock yourseulf.

Nikose Tyris · 08-12-2010, 10:41 AM

I actually agree with Smarty in every part of that except for the exposed wire- Don't do that for the love of God.

If you aren't comfortable and have a second computer (SOMEHOW) available, Skype and a webcam and I could talk you through some of the finer points of at least looking, and I'd diagnose. Beyond that, I doubt I could help you at all on this one.

Viridis · 08-13-2010, 10:22 AM

Did a bit of Googling.

I think it simply has become pushed inside, probably not broken and definitely not requiring a new motherboard.

This seems to be a common problem with this model. Here's someone replacing theirs. I'll try and open mine up soon to see how bad the damage is.

The one issue is oh wow that's a lot of disassembly.

Krylo · 08-13-2010, 10:51 AM

Just gonna go ahead and point out that in THAT particular repair scenario, a little super glue would be a hell of a lot easier, if a bit less durable/more likely to break again.

Also, from the comments on that page:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Martinez

OK i need your help please, when i got done soldering the two wires i plugged the power plug to the power jack and there was a spark in the area were the the i solder the middle wire, i thought it was common so i went and put my lap top back together but now when i press the power button the screen doesn�t come on, i can see the light indicator for the power and the disk drive open but the screen stays black. did i do something wrong? is my computer completely fucked? please help!

"My power cord sparked horribly when I plugged it in and I thought this was normal, so I went ahead and used it anyway!"

Lolz.

08-10-2010, 01:54 PM	#3
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Can you explain issue more clearly? You should be able to open up the plug and rewire it as far as I understand your issue.