Gateway charging issue; power jack? (pics)

[kevinjhaag]

I put them partially back together and test to see if laptop powers on with just the ac adapter connected. I know its a pain, but I do it. It doesn't all have to be put together. If it doesn't then I change out the power jack. If that doesn't work then I'm done there and consider the board is faulty. I take the lost on it and charge my basic diagnostics charge for looking at it. I'll reuse the power jack sooner or later on another one. Good Luck!

Kevin

 

[Romaniac]

Well, I guess that is the more 'certain' way to do it. It occurred to me early on, but as you said - PITA. But you reminded me that it's a more thorough way to test.

Well, here it goes. Thanks for the good luck wishes - I'll need it.

 

[Romaniac]

I partially assembled the laptop after I re-flowed (with new solder) the center pin connection to the board. Laptop turned on!

Thanks to all for the input and help!

 

[kevinjhaag]

Awesome, Good to hear... Just what I thought it was. I run into enough of them. A micro crack that can't be see by the naked eye. I usually remove some of the old solder and add new solder to the connection. I haven't had one come back. Remember to thoroughly test the connection by running it thru a typical customer use, like wiggly the power adapter in all directions in the power jack while its powered on to make sure it stays on.

 

[NYJimbo]

I partially assembled the laptop after I re-flowed (with new solder) the center pin connection to the board. Laptop turned on!

Thanks to all for the input and help!

What guarantee do you offer ? That reflowed pin on that jack is not going to last a long time. We used to do that years ago and they come back in 30-90 days.

 

[kevinjhaag]

What guarantee do you offer ? That reflowed pin on that jack is not going to last a long time. We used to do that years ago and they come back in 30-90 days.

Well I give them 6 months here. Never had one come back for the power jack. They still all work great. So I must be doing something different . I also reinforce the jack in the laptop to help withstand the customer abuse...like wiggly and being pushed in. I seen what a manufacturer did to repair a power jack under warranty. Have used there idea on most laptops as much as I can.

 

[Romaniac]

Wow, 6 months is nice of you. But you 'stole' and have a secret!

I'm doing 30 days because that was the number floating around. I told him this, and he agreed. I told him I will know if it's his fault/tripping damage again, vs my work failing. heh... keep him honest, or try anyway.
I'm going to tell him he should call me even if 30 days have passed; I'll give him a good deal, just because.

I did quite a bit of wiggling.


Thank you all again for the input, help and discussion.

 

[kevinjhaag]

Wow, 6 months is nice of you. But you 'stole' and have a secret!

I'm doing 30 days because that was the number floating around. I told him this, and he agreed. I told him I will know if it's his fault/tripping damage again, vs my work failing. heh... keep him honest, or try anyway.
I'm going to tell him he should call me even if 30 days have passed; I'll give him a good deal, just because.

I did quite a bit of wiggling.


Thank you all again for the input, help and discussion.

I believe in my work is all! I'm known around for quality work and affordable and great warranties. I stand behind all the work I do and follow thru; that's how you become good to great in people's eyes. 30 days to me means "Ok, I think I know what I'm doing". No offense dude. But with exception to Malware Removals and Cleanups...Because reinfection is possible within 6 months easily; even same day for some.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I seen what a manufacturer did to repair a power jack under warranty. Have used there idea on most laptops as much as I can.

Care to share, with pictures?

 

[Romaniac]

That's a fair point.
Like I said, I've heard of 30 days before, so I went with it.

We're all new at some point, and I am fairly new at this. If it ends up failing just 2 months down the road, I will want to know about it and I will likely help him out.

Thanks again.

 

[kevinjhaag]

Sorry Larry... Have no pictures. Never thought about taking a pic of it. Next one I do I'll take a couple pics to share. But here is what they did....

You might eventually run into a laptop that was reinforced by manufacturer. What they do is use a rubber material and wedge it in behind the dc power jack and they also use minimal hot glue. When I first saw it, I was like who put this eraser in here? Sometimes they don't use hot glue or whatever they use.
So I use hot glue myself and those pink erasers. I trim the eraser to fit snug behind the dc power jack. Then I hot glue the dc power jack to the plastic frame with as little hot glue as I can so it doesn't interfere with assembly and everything fitting back together just fine; plus if I ever needed to take it apart for some reason again. I'll tell you what...there's no moving that dc power jack. The customer will break the laptop elsewhere before the jack will.
I have also seen the manufacturer weld the plastic sort of and not just for the dc power jack. What I use to weld the plastic is a old soldering iron that I only use for the purpose. I have plastic welded several things in a laptop just like it was factory (like track pad buttons etc..). That's about it my friend! Nothing special. The problem with dc power jacks going bad is mainly from movement and pressure on connection while plugged in. Key is to preventing it as much as you can inside of laptop...IMHO.

Kevin