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Laptop repair help needed

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Posted on October 13, 2005 at 16:38:42
Ross


 
My laptop no longer accepts AC power (HP Pavilion ze4500 AMD1.3ghz 256md 30gb WinXP). The Battery needs to be replaced but will still hold a short charge. The computer will run on battery power, but not on AC.

According to the repair shop, the machine needs a new motherboard because the board mounted female AC jack is broken. The tech was kind enough to show me the jack and it is broken.

Estimate for the board and installation is $800 - and for another $40 I can buy a brand new laptop that they shop just happens to have on clearance special...

I asked about just haveing the AC jack replaced. The shop will not/does not do that- they don't solder anything.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the next course of action ? Are there other computer oriented forums to post this request in ?

Thanks !

Ross

 

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Re: Laptop repair help needed, posted on October 14, 2005 at 06:53:57
STUART


 
I have replaced them

Its not so difficult

You need to pull the motherboard

You need to get a soldering pencil that gets very hot and some
solder braid and some solder

If you have no experience find someone who does

Of course I have access to a 3k soldering station in my shop but I
know you can do it with the above

 

Thanks everyone !, posted on October 14, 2005 at 05:35:47
Ross


 
.

 

Connector, posted on October 14, 2005 at 04:39:18
cyclone


 
I've repaired/replaced the DC connector on 3 different laptops. Once you disseamble the laptop enough to replace the connector, the problem is to find a replacement connector that is small enough with the correct pin arrangement on it.

 

Re: Laptop repair help needed, posted on October 13, 2005 at 23:47:23
Jacques


 
>The shop will not/does not do that- they don't solder anything.
If you cannot do it yourself, find a shop who makes solder job (TV repairs etc).
If you do it yourself:
(1)I would advise you to put under the laptop a large aluminum foil (for cooking uses), large enough as you touch it on either side of the laptop. If you can connect this foil to some ground, it's good, but don't really worry about it. But the al sheet is important since it makes you and the laptop as same potential each time you touch it, that is quite continuously.. Wear cotton and leather shoes to avoid electrostatic shocks on the board
(2)The only difficulty is to disassemble so that you can get the board free. Use a large sheet of paper on which you draw landmarks and on which you'll put the screws. This way, you won't lose them or confuse them: they have different lengths, and you shall not make mistakes since some screw are short because they don't have room to be long without creating ...shorts. Well, I just don't know if I'm well understood ;-?
(3)Be careful with flat cables: some have sintered connectors and are strong, some others(keyboard, trackball) have no connectors but a metallisation which is caught against the female part on the board thanks to a clip. Don't try to take off the flat cable without loosen it by moving the clip accordingly: loosen first, then take off the cable.
(4)Begin by taking off the heavy pieces: batteries, hard disk, CD.
Be careful with the screen, it's useless to remove the screen from its cover, just take off his connectors on the motherboard.
(5) when the motherboard is free enough as to give you room on both sides to make your fix, do it the way electronic soldering has to be done (check on any hobbyist. Use 310¡C as iron temperature
(6) and back to finished form...
Good luck. It's tricky, I know.

 

Re: Laptop repair help needed, posted on October 13, 2005 at 19:39:18
Spun1


 
Sounds like the repair shop is driven by the sales department. I've worked in a repair shop like this. It is very frustrating for a techie to be told to unplug his soldering iron to make a sale.

Look around, you'll find someone. When it's time for a new unit, don't go there.

Brian

 

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