Laptop power connector

Can anyone tell me - when you put the plug into a laptop does the connector
switch power from battery to mains by means of a mechanical part or does it
switch via some clever sensor on the board itself ?

I have a socket tht is misbehaving (intermittent problem) - I think that
rather than replace the dc connector (which I could do) I would rather
solder a piece of cable to the MB and lead it out the case - then wire on
better type of (2 part, + & -) socket - maybe something simple like a mini
jack connector (tried and trusted and tends not to get naffed up with
repeated use, unlike most laptop power connectors in my experience).

So what I am wondering is do I just have a + and - wire to connect or do I
need to worry about the make and break type thing that I mentioned in the
first part of my question ?

Hope that all makes sense and that someone might help.

Thanks for reading.

Malcolm Hind wrote:
Can anyone tell me - when you put the plug into a laptop does the connector
switch power from battery to mains by means of a mechanical part or does it
switch via some clever sensor on the board itself ?

I have a socket tht is misbehaving (intermittent problem) - I think that
rather than replace the dc connector (which I could do) I would rather
solder a piece of cable to the MB and lead it out the case - then wire on
better type of (2 part, + & -) socket - maybe something simple like a mini
jack connector (tried and trusted and tends not to get naffed up with
repeated use, unlike most laptop power connectors in my experience).

So what I am wondering is do I just have a + and - wire to connect or do I
need to worry about the make and break type thing that I mentioned in the
first part of my question ?

Hope that all makes sense and that someone might help.

Thanks for reading.

Using the make and model number, it's faster to just
Google up an answer.

Some laptops, the newer ones, the power input connector sits
on a small PCB (around a square inch). This was done, so when
users would break the connector, the small PCB simply unplugs.
No longer needs an expensive $300 "motherboard replacement/swap".
Occasionally, you'll see the spare part (assembly) listed on Ebay.

Older laptops, the connector would be fixed to the board. And
if there were 10,000 different laptop designs out there,
then some could have a side contact jack, some even have more than
two wires in the cable (intelligent adapter for brand lock-in).

Paul