so i was using my laptop and my dog ran by and got snagged on the cord and yanked it pretty hard... it still works, but it is touchy... whenever i move my laptop, even just a little bit, the power flickers on and off (goes from plug to battery)... is there anything i can tighten or anything to stop it from doing that?

9/7/2005 2:36:08 PM

tin foil.

seriously, i dunno.

Mike

9/7/2005 2:49:11 PM

get a new cable?

9/7/2005 2:53:34 PM

i don't think it's the cord... i think it might have shaken something loose in my laptop

9/7/2005 3:00:14 PM

it probably bent the contacts inside the plug on the laptop.
you can live with it, or buy a new connector and solder it on. or have a shop/manufacturer do this for you.

9/7/2005 4:31:03 PM

do you know a good place that could do that for me?

9/7/2005 4:32:35 PM

not really. i would think that any place you take it to will want to replace the whole power or mother board which will be $$

other option is the manufacturer which will do the same thing and be more $$

i would say look up your laptop on ebay and search for "power adapter" or something similar and get someone at tww that knows how to solder to do it for you.

9/7/2005 6:31:49 PM

hmmmm.... maybe i'll just go with the "live with it" option

9/7/2005 7:37:02 PM

What brand laptop?

I'd say try and narrow down where the problem is first.

With the laptop on, and battery charged, move the connector that plugs into the DC power slot. Just move it slightly back-and-forth. If the unit switches from AC to DC power with each slight movement, then the problem is in your laptop connector or system board. Otherwise, start moving down the cable, slowly moving the cord back-and-forth to check for breaks until you get to the AC adaptor. If the unit stays on all the while, then it would seem that you made out a little better and that the problem might be within your AC adaptor.

Feel free to PM me for help. I may even do the repair for you at a fair price.

-Michael

9/9/2005 10:37:17 AM

You'll need to resolder the connector to the motherboard. If it's underwarrenty, get your manufacturer to do it for you. Otherwise, you're wither going to have to solder it yourself or get someone else to do it. This is a very common problem. When you send it in on warrenty, they just replace the motherboard.

9/9/2005 10:58:31 AM

It is an IBM T40.

and yes, it appears to be the connector. I'm honestly not sure if it is under warrenty or not. I've had it for about a year and a half now.

9/9/2005 11:25:23 AM

did you get it through the bookstore? if so, then you got a 3 year warranty with it. it MAY be covered. just don't mention how it happened when you call 1 800 IBM SERV. accidental damage is extra, and most people don't buy the coverage for that. if, however, your connector just came loose and stopped working due to regular usage... it's covered.

9/9/2005 12:05:17 PM

These thing frequently break due to regular usage. If it's under warrenty, you shouldn't have any trouble.

9/9/2005 12:10:08 PM

well, i bought it straight from IBM... I have all the paperwork... I'll check on it.

(thanks for the advice by the way!)

9/9/2005 12:23:55 PM

^I do IT work and my company does warranty work for HP and IBM business products.

You can pm me the serial number and I can check the warranty and setup an exchange for you.
They would ship you a laptop box, you follow the instructions and send it back and they repair and ship back. all free if under warranty.

9/9/2005 12:43:18 PM

To my knowledge, you should have a 3-year waranty which means you're set. IBM warranty service is great. Good luck.

9/9/2005 2:53:08 PM

yeah, i'm covered till 2007

9/9/2005 3:18:44 PM

lemme know if you had trouble getting that box ordered.

9/9/2005 5:34:17 PM