Posted on 03/16/2007 7:28:38 PM PDT by mom4kittys
I have to jiggle my power cord at the jack in order to get power or to charge my battery. It is very annoying because it moves every time I breathe if it is in my lap. How do I determine if it is the cord or the jack (or both) and if it is the jack, how is it repaired?
Does anyone else have this problem? I've been through several cords, but maybe there is a problem with the jack as well.
That's what I want to know about--what is this piggytail? Is that a homemade thing? Is there anything I can buy to relieve the stress on it?
As another poster noted, it's probably broken at the solder joint(s). If it's a round barrel type connector, then the jack may be distended and can be bent back in shape. Either way, if you know someone that's handy with electronics (i.e., has a soldering iron), he/she could fix it.
On the other hand, if you know an electronics geek (and I'm talking about someone who fixes or tinkers with the "guts" of electronics gear and not someone who likes the electronics department at Best Buy) you might convince them to do it. Search Ebay for the right power jack if you do know such a geek.
Do computer repair places (Geek Squad) provide these kinds of services?
Dunno, but it's worth a call. If all else fails, call a TV/radio repair shop (if they still exist).
I would call them and say "send the box"...
(Politely insist!!)
They should give you a repair order number and UPS/FDX will have a box at your door in the morning....
Blessings...
Unfortunately , if it is the jack, I will probably have to send it to them. I'm trying to avoid that.
good idea, come to think of it, i haven't seen any tv repair shops lately
I don't know if the problem is the power cord.....
But any power cord problem will not occur just anywhere along the length of the cord. It will occur where it connects. To the wall or to the laptop. Wall is less likely.
I would remove the battery. Then boot up into the bios. Start wiggling the cord at the the two connection points and see what kills your laptop's power.
I have to twist the cord right where it meets the jack. Do the cords get crimped inside and cause these problems?
I had the same problem 4 months ago. I took it to a local computer repair (mom & pop type) shop and they fixed it for me overnight. It was, indeed, the jack. It cost $115 and it's worked beautifully since. They also told me it's a tedious repair and that's why many places won't do it.
It's an easy repair IF you have experience taking apart laptops and kind of know what you're doing with a soldering iron.
It's a very common problem with laptops. Do a search on "laptop jack repair".
Thanks for the info, I guess I will call around. I know I'm not brave enough to try it myself. Hopefully, I can find someone not too expensive. $115 is not bad at all.
Does the jack need replacing or will soldering do the trick by itself?
Most likely it will need replacing if you've been wiggling the cord around for very long. They are really very fragile and once you start wiggling around the power cord your putting stress and strain on the jack.
The part will cheap less than $10 compared to the labor so just to be safe replace it.
I'm convinced it is the jack more than ever now.
Thank you so much!
No crimp inside
Most likely point of power cord failure is where the cord connects into the plug (jack) that you insert into the laptop. Through lots of bending and manipulation (I kind of doubt you are doing this) it becomes frayed at that point. Gets frayed within where you cannot see it
Yeah probably the laptop's jack needs attention. But try this. I see you live in a humid state (LA)
Connections get spotty due to oxidation. I have problems with this in FL. Try cleaning your laptop jack and the plug-in by inserting in and out ten times to rub off any oxidation. It might do the trick
I like to keep the windows open so get more humidity and oxidation. It is invisible.
I wisk it was easy to tell. I'm pretty sure it is the jack now. The computer is only about a year old and I've already been through a couple of cords. (One time thanks to my kitten though, so that doesn't count lol!)
Push jack in and out ten times to rub off any possible oxidation. Might do the trick, but I think it's the laptop's jack. Interesting how others have had jack problems and needed soldering and repairs
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