Computer Help?

**irishmick** · 09-05-08, 02:36 PM

So, my laptop is being a bit testy and I'm about ready to throw it through our plate glass window. My power cord, for some reason, isn't charging the way it should be. (Yes, it's actually plugged in.) To get the laptop to charge, I have to press or pull on the cord where it goes into the laptop and most of the time it just stops charging and I have to monkey with it again. I thought maybe it was a bad solder connection and tried taking the case off of my laptop to check that. Ha! It would have been easier breaking into Fort Knox armed with nothing but a piece of bubble gum and a toothbrush.

Anyway, do you computer gurus think it's the cord itself or the charging connection on the laptop? And, if it *is* the charging connection, am I just going to have to suck it up and pay someone else to fix it?

**MacLean** · 09-05-08, 02:46 PM

It's probably the connection socket, which is attached to the motherboard.

Unless you can solder, I'd take it to someone.

It's a pretty common problem on Dell laptops, I just fixed one.

Or, you could hope like hell it's just loose and carefully tighten the prongs with a needle.

**irishmick** · 09-05-08, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by maclean

It's probably the connection socket, which is attached to the motherboard.

Unless you can solder, I'd take it to someone.

It's a pretty common problem on Dell laptops, I just fixed one.

Or, you could hope like hell it's just loose and carefully tighten the prongs with a needle.

Yes, I can solder...I just can't GET to the damn connection at the motherboard. I tried tightening the prongs and that didn't work. It's a Gateway, so I don't know how common it is, but they must not break often because you can't get to anything.

Or, they just want you to buy a new laptop that's NOT a piece of crap.

**MacLean** · 09-05-08, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by irishmick

Yes, I can solder...I just can't GET to the damn connection at the motherboard. I tried tightening the prongs and that didn't work. It's a Gateway, so I don't know how common it is, but they must not break often because you can't get to anything.

Or, they just want you to buy a new laptop that's NOT a piece of crap.

You can take apart a Gateway, it just isn't always obvious how to do it.

Sometimes you need security bits.

If you don't have them, you're best to take it into some place.

Alternatively, if that is extremely expensive, start backing up your stuff now and replace it!

**irishmick** · 09-05-08, 03:12 PM

Then I guess I'll just have to suck it up and take it in.

**Xiphos** · 09-05-08, 03:15 PM

I recently had an identical problem. Inspect your power cord very closely. I had the end near where you plug it into the computer that got crimped badly enough it screwed up the wiring and plug. I was able to buy another cable and get everything working again.