Problem with laptop power lead

[juliaatpcgp]

Hi,

I am trying to help a colleague with a laptop problem.

When you plug in the power lead, if you put the cable to the right of the power input socket it doesn't recognise but put it to the left and it does.

However, when I replugged it in the other day, it was even more temperamental and wouldn't work either way but only if you held the lead in place for a few minutes - somtimes it would stay on, other times it wouldn't.

Is the problem likely to be with the lead itself or with the actual laptop connection itself ?

If the only way to be sure is to try another cable, apart from checking the voltage is the same and the connector fits in the slot, is there any reason why I couldn't try a cable from one of our other laptops in the office ?

I would really appreciate your advice.

Regards,
Julia

 

[mainegeek]

juliaatpcgp,

What make/model laptop is this?

I have repaired several toshiba's with this problem.

Inspect the AC adapter cord for cracks. Most likely the power jack which is soldered to the motherboard has become loose/broken. This is not uncommon. Some laptops don't take the stress very well to this area depending on the make/model/design. I have seen some design improvements where the power jack is teathered to a wire which plugs into a header on the motherboard.

The motherboard will have to be removed in order to unsolder and re-solder/replace the jack. The jacks are fairly cheap under $50. The labor is the downside.

An experienced tech should be able to do this in 2hrs or less. Obviously you will want to weigh the labor cost to a new laptop. My experience leans towards repair vs. a new motherboard or new laptop.

 

[juliaatpcgp]

Fujitsu Siemens - Amilo I think.