Broken Lap Top

RandFan · 22nd September 2006, 07:21 PM

Ok, I've got a 1 year old Compaq Presario. It's still a great computer however the sensor for the power plug keeps switching between battery and power cord even when the power cord is plugged in and the battery is low. I just can't do my work in the field without it. It seems that the female connector on the laptop is loose and if I wiggle the cord it will show go back to the power cord but for different amounts of time. Can anything be done or do I need to buy a laptop this weekend?

I realize that this might be a bit obscure for many here.

Thanks,

RandFan

bruto · 22nd September 2006, 08:52 PM

I've seen a couple of laptops with this problem, and I think it may depend on how difficult it is to open the case. The power jack in most of these laptops is pathetically poorly designed for stress. Chances are that either the jack itself is cracked, or it has begun pulling off the circuit board. If the latter, sometimes you can resolder it, and perhaps add a piece of wire to bypass a damaged trace (the circuitry is pretty large and coarse in this region). If it's actually broken, you'd need to replace it, and if the circuit board itself is actually broken, you need to find a different way to support the jack. I repaired a laptop of my stepson's a couple of years ago by replacing a broken jack on a broken circuit board with a mini headphone jack.

Of course all of this depends on your willingness to open it up, and the risk that you'll end up breaking it worse. I've never done it on a computer as new as yours, and I'd be pretty cautious if it's an expensive one.

Chris Haynes · 22nd September 2006, 08:55 PM

That happened to my 3 year old laptop earlier this year.

How about replacing the power cord? It could be a damaged wire that only has intermittent connection.

There was a thought that it may be the part that it plugs into, the tech did change that also (my computer was still under the extended warranty). But it turned out to be the power cord.

Edit to add... I don't remember the jack being that difficult to change, but it may be the design of the machine (HP). But the new power cord is not HP, but a generic brand with the same tranformer specs, that would be easier to try.

stormer · 22nd September 2006, 08:58 PM

Make sure the power supply cord is not internally broken first. Borrow another PSU and see if you can recreate the problem.

Otherwise, send the laptop for repair. It may be a simple problem like a dry joint at the power socket. Any technician should be able to check this out. Opening the laptop properly is another matter though.

It is a good excuse to buy another laptop

Core 2 Duo is amazingly powerful

22nd September 2006, 07:21 PM	#1
RandFan Mormon Atheist Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 60,134	Broken Lap Top Ok, I've got a 1 year old Compaq Presario. It's still a great computer however the sensor for the power plug keeps switching between battery and power cord even when the power cord is plugged in and the battery is low. I just can't do my work in the field without it. It seems that the female connector on the laptop is loose and if I wiggle the cord it will show go back to the power cord but for different amounts of time. Can anything be done or do I need to buy a laptop this weekend? I realize that this might be a bit obscure for many here. Thanks, RandFan
RandFan Mormon Atheist Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 60,134

22nd September 2006, 08:52 PM	#2
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 28,215	I've seen a couple of laptops with this problem, and I think it may depend on how difficult it is to open the case. The power jack in most of these laptops is pathetically poorly designed for stress. Chances are that either the jack itself is cracked, or it has begun pulling off the circuit board. If the latter, sometimes you can resolder it, and perhaps add a piece of wire to bypass a damaged trace (the circuitry is pretty large and coarse in this region). If it's actually broken, you'd need to replace it, and if the circuit board itself is actually broken, you need to find a different way to support the jack. I repaired a laptop of my stepson's a couple of years ago by replacing a broken jack on a broken circuit board with a mini headphone jack. Of course all of this depends on your willingness to open it up, and the risk that you'll end up breaking it worse. I've never done it on a computer as new as yours, and I'd be pretty cautious if it's an expensive one.
	__________________ I love this world, but not for its answers. (Mary Oliver) Quand il dit "cuic" le moineau croit tout dire. (When he's tweeted the sparrow thinks he's said it all. (Jules Renard)

22nd September 2006, 08:55 PM	#3
Chris Haynes Perfectly Poisonous Person Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wacky Washington Way Out West Posts: 4,430	That happened to my 3 year old laptop earlier this year. How about replacing the power cord? It could be a damaged wire that only has intermittent connection. There was a thought that it may be the part that it plugs into, the tech did change that also (my computer was still under the extended warranty). But it turned out to be the power cord. Edit to add... I don't remember the jack being that difficult to change, but it may be the design of the machine (HP). But the new power cord is not HP, but a generic brand with the same tranformer specs, that would be easier to try.
	__________________ I used to be intelligent... but then I had kids "HCN, I hate you!" ( so sayeth Deetee at http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=1077344 )... What I get for linking to http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/ Last edited by Chris Haynes; 22nd September 2006 at 08:58 PM.

22nd September 2006, 08:58 PM	#4
stormer Guest Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 131	Make sure the power supply cord is not internally broken first. Borrow another PSU and see if you can recreate the problem. Otherwise, send the laptop for repair. It may be a simple problem like a dry joint at the power socket. Any technician should be able to check this out. Opening the laptop properly is another matter though. It is a good excuse to buy another laptop Core 2 Duo is amazingly powerful
stormer Guest Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 131