04/10/2003 Entry: ""
Posted by Maynard @ 09:58 AM MST
Laptop Disassembly 101
My laptop power connector doesn't connect, so the battery can't charge. I've been anticipating this problem might happen, so when it didn't start charging this morning I decided to take corrective action. I disassembled the laptop so I can get to the power connector and resolder it onto the motherboard.
No, I'm not crazy.
I've done this before with tower motherboards, but this is my first attempt with a laptop. Right now, it sits in pieces on my desk at work, waiting for the soldering iron. Which is at home. So far the only damage I've inflicted is a separated wire on the cooling fan, which is easy to fix. I hope.
Replies: 
(7)
I have the same exact problem with the POWER Connector of my Laptop. It is an HP Pav zt1135.
The connection has not become loose on the motherboard though, instead it is the center pin of the power connector..
Posted by harddisk_2000 @ 06/29/2003 05:00 PM MST
this is a know defect by HP and they repare them for free at service center with RMA to send it in.I had to send my daughter's in as it happened to her zt1135 while she was at school at USC last semester.
Posted by timothy ault @ 11/16/2003 02:57 AM MST
did it work? I have a similar power problem with my pavilion xt178 laptop. I want to dissassemble it but I think I have missed some hidden screws and I gave up short of physically prying the case apart. Do you have any pictures of the part you had to resolder?
Posted by Darren @ 01/24/2004 10:39 AM MST
I have no pictures, but it was small and in a compact spot so unless you have a lot of experience soldering in small places I suggest you make sure that's your problem before you tear your laptop open. The conclusion to this story here. As far as hiddedn screws go, you might want to look under the little rubber feet, there might be some there.
Posted by Maynard @ 01/25/2004 07:50 PM MST
There are asome hidden screws on the zt1135. If you pop the rubber screw covers off of the back of the screen hinges, you can then remove those two screws (one on each hinge). Next you can use a straight slot Screw driver to gently pry the right edge of the speaker cover off directly abovethe pg up key. Once you have popped that end up, the rest comes up easily and you will see three screws holding the keyboard. After the keyboard is off the rest is easy.
Posted by jim @ 06/02/2004 06:27 AM MST
which power jack did you use to replace the "broken" one?
Posted by joy @ 07/20/2004 10:25 AM MST
I didn't use a power jack. I just resoldered the connections that had come loose, using the old jack.
Posted by Maynard @ 07/20/2004 10:31 AM MST
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