Presario 2100 broken power connector

The 'power connector' of my laptop (Compaq Presario 2100US) is broken
off inside the case. The male jack that you plug the power supply into
in the back of the machine is now inside the machine broken off the
motherboard. So there is not way to recharge the battery or get any
kind of power. I was talking one of my harware buddies and he told me
about a bunch of options:

- buy another power connector, take the laptop apart, unsolder the
broken connector from the motherboard, solder the new connector onto
the motherboard, then put the laptop back together.

- buy a new motherboard. Take the laptop apart, replace the
motherboard, then figure out to upgrade the new bios with all the
serial number information that is in the old bios.

- take it back to local computer store chain I bought it at to be
repaired.

- send it to HP/Compaq to be repaired.

- or cheat and buy a port replicator/docking station and don't bother
fixing the broken connector.

Can you think of any more options or reccomend which of the options
outlined looks good to you.

BillyBA wrote:
The 'power connector' of my laptop (Compaq Presario 2100US) is broken
off inside the case. The male jack that you plug the power supply into
in the back of the machine is now inside the machine broken off the
motherboard. So there is not way to recharge the battery or get any
kind of power. I was talking one of my harware buddies and he told me
about a bunch of options:

- buy another power connector, take the laptop apart, unsolder the
broken connector from the motherboard, solder the new connector onto
the motherboard, then put the laptop back together.

This first suggestion would be my top choice (least expense if all goes
well), but it's not for everyone. The question is who should do the
work, which should be someone already comfortable (and successful) with
electronic equipment, and who is better known for soldering and
tweezers than hammer-and-tongs! Fully disassembling one's laptop is
definitely a heart-in-the-throat technical adventure, and should
probably not be one's very first... but it's a possibility.

- buy a new motherboard. Take the laptop apart, replace the
motherboard, then figure out to upgrade the new bios with all the
serial number information that is in the old bios.

It probably doesn't call for a new motherboard, so I'd try to avoid
that expense. Last choice.

- take it back to local computer store chain I bought it at to be
repaired.

A local service place should at least be able to give you an accurate
estimate on the repair beforehand, based on the assumption that the
motherboard itself is undamaged (which is probably the case). It'll
be 90% assembly/disassembly work, so they should already know how long
it takes them. Ask around a bit in addition to the store, who may have
to "send it out" and charge you for an estimate that another place may
know from prior experience when asked directly.

- send it to HP/Compaq to be repaired.

Factory service is a possibility, but they're more likely to quote
replacing the motherboard as a matter of policy rather than dealing
with the uncertainties of component-level repair, however simple it may
be. If shipping expenses are involved this is another minus, but I'd
still price them; no doubt they can just "look it up".

- or cheat and buy a port replicator/docking station and don't bother
fixing the broken connector.

This is a clever alternative I hadn't thought of. You'd have to
decide on the expense versus nuisance value of having something that
large serve as your charger/supply! If you'd kind of like a dock
anyway, at least you'd get something tangible for your expense. I see
this as a creative second choice. HOWEVER, if the battery jack has come
off the board entirely (take a peek through the hole), you should
definitely pursue repair instead. Loose parts seem to eventually land
in places where they cause the maximum possible damage, and then you'd
have a dock for a smoked laptop. (Perhaps you could disassemble it
enough to retrive the loose jack?)

Can you think of any more options or reccomend which of the options
outlined looks good to you.

I'd say you got a good list of options. It really comes down to
expense. How much to spend? How much to risk? If you elect to try it
yourself in some way (perhaps with the assistance of your hardware
guy?), I see that the Compaq website has a downloadable "Maintenance
and Service Guide" manual that has good disassembly instructions for
your model. I took this approach successfully myself, but my Compaq is
a lot older. Good luck!

Mark wrote:
BillyBA wrote:
The 'power connector' of my laptop (Compaq Presario 2100US) is broken
off inside the case. The male jack that you plug the power supply into
in the back of the machine is now inside the machine broken off the
motherboard. So there is not way to recharge the battery or get any
kind of power. I was talking one of my harware buddies and he told me
about a bunch of options:

- buy another power connector, take the laptop apart, unsolder the
broken connector from the motherboard, solder the new connector onto
the motherboard, then put the laptop back together.

This first suggestion would be my top choice (least expense if all goes
well), but it's not for everyone. The question is who should do the
work, which should be someone already comfortable (and successful) with
electronic equipment, and who is better known for soldering and
tweezers than hammer-and-tongs! Fully disassembling one's laptop is
definitely a heart-in-the-throat technical adventure, and should
probably not be one's very first... but it's a possibility.

- buy a new motherboard. Take the laptop apart, replace the
motherboard, then figure out to upgrade the new bios with all the
serial number information that is in the old bios.

It probably doesn't call for a new motherboard, so I'd try to avoid
that expense. Last choice.

- take it back to local computer store chain I bought it at to be
repaired.

A local service place should at least be able to give you an accurate
estimate on the repair beforehand, based on the assumption that the
motherboard itself is undamaged (which is probably the case). It'll
be 90% assembly/disassembly work, so they should already know how long
it takes them. Ask around a bit in addition to the store, who may have
to "send it out" and charge you for an estimate that another place may
know from prior experience when asked directly.

- send it to HP/Compaq to be repaired.

Factory service is a possibility, but they're more likely to quote
replacing the motherboard as a matter of policy rather than dealing
with the uncertainties of component-level repair, however simple it may
be. If shipping expenses are involved this is another minus, but I'd
still price them; no doubt they can just "look it up".

- or cheat and buy a port replicator/docking station and don't bother
fixing the broken connector.

This is a clever alternative I hadn't thought of. You'd have to
decide on the expense versus nuisance value of having something that
large serve as your charger/supply! If you'd kind of like a dock
anyway, at least you'd get something tangible for your expense. I see
this as a creative second choice. HOWEVER, if the battery jack has come
off the board entirely (take a peek through the hole), you should
definitely pursue repair instead. Loose parts seem to eventually land
in places where they cause the maximum possible damage, and then you'd
have a dock for a smoked laptop. (Perhaps you could disassemble it
enough to retrive the loose jack?)

Can you think of any more options or reccomend which of the options
outlined looks good to you.

I'd say you got a good list of options. It really comes down to
expense. How much to spend? How much to risk? If you elect to try it
yourself in some way (perhaps with the assistance of your hardware
guy?), I see that the Compaq website has a downloadable "Maintenance
and Service Guide" manual that has good disassembly instructions for
your model. I took this approach successfully myself, but my Compaq is
a lot older. Good luck!

BillyBA wrote:
I obtained a Service Manual, got the laptop disassembled, removed the broken part, now I don't know how to find a replacement part. I don't have a part number. I do have a photo of the broken part. It is called an 'AC Adapter Jack'. My laptop is a Compaq Presario 2100US, US Product# DB954A, HP S# CN30221049, 266MHz DDR SDRAM.

I got a Service Manual and have the laptop apart and removed the broken
part. I even have a photo of the broken part but no part number to
search on. Does anyone know where I can find an 'AC Adapter Jack' (aka.
Power Supply Jack) for a Compaq Presario 2100US, US Product# DB954A, HP
S# CN30221049, 266MHz DDR SDRAM. Thanx in advance.

BillyBA wrote:
I got a Service Manual and have the laptop apart and removed the broken
part. I even have a photo of the broken part but no part number to
search on. Does anyone know where I can find an 'AC Adapter Jack' (aka.
Power Supply Jack) for a Compaq Presario 2100US, US Product# DB954A, HP
S# CN30221049, 266MHz DDR SDRAM. Thanx in advance.

Wow -- you're clearly determined! To the extent that I helped get you
into this, let's see if I can help you get through it successfully.

The most fertile place for these parts appears to be on Ebay. A search
there for "Compaq 2100 power jack" (minus the quotes) turned up a
surprising number of sources. It looks like 6 or 7 dollars will get one
shipped to you. I don't have a favorite vendor to recommend (my jack
was reusable), but several sellers appear to have good pictures, high
user feedback ratings, and reasonable prices. It appears that various
flavors of 2100's used slightly different jacks, so compare the
"footprints" needed closely! One vendor listed in bold print the
models (2100US for one) in which he'd used a specific jack, which was
attractive. Take a look.

As for installation itself: One of the problems is that the jack is
mostly retained by the solder connections themselves. Solder is a
comparatively soft metal compound, and eventually the mechanical
fatigue from plug stresses causes the solder connections to fracture.
Mine apparently had a dab of adhesive applied under the jack when it
was originally installed, but it had never adhered to the PC board. (I
believe this was due to the flux and solder-mask material on the
board.) Before mounting and soldering the jack back in place, I used a
hobby knife (or scalpel, razor blade, etc.) to scrape clean the
non-electrical area right under the jack so that the fiberglass was
more directly exposed... no gouging, just roughed up a bit and without
the sheen that was present on the surface before. I cleaned the area
with alcohol also. (Obviously, if your board has little circuit traces
running right there, don't scrape; but it would be unusual for them
to be found there.) I used a dab of 10-minute epoxy under the jack to
help retain it, which still seems to be working. (I don't recommend
"super glue" here, as it is too hard to keep it only where you want
it, and it doesn't "fill" as well.)

Proceed carefully, don't skip any screws during reassembly, and you
will succeed. Good luck (and post how it went)!

Help me guys I have this exact problem too and can not for the life of
me get the case completely apart. :crybaby:
I have removed all of the externally visible screws including the ones
under the little rubber caps and there still seems to be something
holding the top and bottom together (it seems somewhere near the
center of the keyboard.
Can someone send/post some pictures or get me a copy of "the manual"
Thanks a bunch!

Try here. It's a link to the Maintenance & Service Guide to one of the
Presario 2100 models:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/m...duct= 307167&

HH


"v1rott" wrote in message
...
Help me guys I have this exact problem too and can not for the life of
me get the case completely apart. :crybaby:
I have removed all of the externally visible screws including the ones
under the little rubber caps and there still seems to be something
holding the top and bottom together (it seems somewhere near the
center of the keyboard.
Can someone send/post some pictures or get me a copy of "the manual"
Thanks a bunch!

I had the same problem. I tried to open up the laptop without
removing the keyboard first. There are three screws under it that
need to be removed before the case will come completely apart.

First remove the two screws that go into the hinge area from the back
of the laptop. Then use a small flat screwdriver to remove the plate
above the keyboard (I went from right side to left - carefully). Four
screws will be revealed to remove the keyboard. Remove them, tilt KB
forward and remove cable from MB. Remove three screws and separate
case (assuming you already removed the scads of other screws from the
bottom and back of case), being carefull to remove interconnect cables
as you separate.

Good luck...SG257

Hey all..Look in the HP section under "HP owners with bad power
jacks".. Sorry to say but this is a big issue and we do a ton of
these if you want to try yourself we can help.. If you want us to
repair? we can help.. The jacks are available a heck of alot cheaper
than 6.00 off ebay.. (I can get 5 for this price).. Buzz us if yu
have any laptop issue as we try to help everyone.. (Yes even the
freebies).. Ken