OT: repairing laptop AC-in

[Matt Price]

On Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 08:04:32PM -0500, ted leslie wrote:
> 
> i have the same problem with my dell,
> so i had to make sure i bought a replacement battery when it went "short on charge time",
> that way i see the "hookey" ac-plug connect flicker, and often its on more then off
> so it charges and then the flackyness doesnt effect me.
> i know mine is with the connector of the AC-adapter or the connect on the computer.
> often the "plug" end is a electronic module soldered right onto the PC-board
> and the solder seperates and even thou the movement is almost undectable, it lifts the
> contacts (soldered) away from the fiberglass based solder pads and no juice gets in.

I think my problem is something like this.  My AC adaptor seems to be
fine. Can't test it directly, but the "plugged in" LED on the brick itself goes
on when I plug in to the wall.  By contrast, the "plugged in" LED on
the computer itself almost never turns on (had brief success this
afternoon, the first time in several weeks).    What I'd liketo do is
to resolder this or something, but I can't even figure out how to
expose the power supply to view, as it's wedged in pretty tight.  

> 
> if your problem is in the brick of the adapter then they are sometimes molded
> tight and have to be chisled. to fix it might cost more then a radio-shack
> multipurpose that has various head end connects and selectable power, you 
> just have to be sure of the amps will drive it, and you know the (-)(+) inner outter
> polarity to go this way.

pretty sure this isn't the problem... 

> 
> if your good with a soldering iron on Printed curcuit boards your set, otherwise might not be
> worth the effort. A refurbed PII portable is about a 100$ purchase these days isnt it?
> 

huh, I actually have no idea -- if that's true I'll consider just
moving on, do you know where to pick one up?

m


> -tl
> 
> 
> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 19:53:33 -0500
> Matt Price <matt.price-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> 
> > hi folks,
> > 
> > not a linux question, but I'm running debian on this machine!
> > 
> > The AC-in on my HP Omnibook 4100 has become very flaky; only on rare
> > occasions will it accually function properly.  Probably due to lots of
> > abuse by me and my kids.  
> > 
> > Anyway, I was messing with the unit, trying to expose the power supply
> > sufficiently to allow me to find & repair the loose connection, but
> > wasn't ableto get in far enough.  I wondered whether anyone had
> > successfully done this kind of hardware repair on an Omnibook, and/or
> > whether there's anyone in town I might take it to for repairs.  This
> > is a PII laptop, in pretty rough shape, so I'd like to avoid paying
> > lots of money for repair...  
> > 
> > 
> > thanks,
> > 
> > Matt
> > 
> > Matt Price	    matt.price-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org
> > History Department, University of Toronto
> > (416) 978-2094

-------------------------------------------
Matt Price	    matt.price-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org
History Department, University of Toronto
(416) 978-2094
--------------------------------------------
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