Today I explain how to disassemble a HP Pavilion dm3 series notebook.

In this particular guide I’m taking apart a HP Pavilion dm3-1035dx Entertainment Notebook but the guide should be the same for all other models in Pavilion dm3 line.

Before you start, make sure the notebook is turned off.

Removing hard drive, memory modules, wireless card and CMOS battery shown in steps 1-7.

STEP 1.

Remove the battery.

Remove five screws securing the hard drive and memory covers. Remove both covers.

STEP 2.

Remove two screws securing the hard drive and slide it to the left to disconnect from the motherboard.

STEP 3.

Now you can remove the hard drive.

As you see, it’s a standard 2.5″ SATA hard drive.

STEP 4.

Remove both memory modules.

In order to remove the memory module you’ll have to follow two simple steps:
- carefully spread lathes on both sides of the slot until the memory module pops up at a 30 degree angle.
- pull the memory module from the slot by the edges.

STEP 5.

Disconnect both antenna cables from the wireless card.

Remove two screws securing the wireless card.

STEP 6.

Remove wireless card same way you removed memory modules.

STEP 7.

Disconnect the CMOS battery cable from the motherboard and remove the battery.

Removing notebook keyboard shown in steps 8-12.

STEP 8.

Remove two screws securing the keyboard on the bottom of notebook.

STEP 9.

Push on the keyboard through the openings in the battery compartment.

STEP 10.

Lift up the keyboard as it shown on the following picture.

STEP 11.

Carefully lift up the keyboard and access connector underneath.

In order to remove the keyboard you’ll have to disconnect the cable first.

On the following picture the keyboard connector shown in the locked position.

Lift up the right side of the brown clip so it opens at a 90 degree angle.

On the following picture the connector is shown in the unlocked position.

Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector.

STEP 12.

Remove the keyboard.

The best way to find a replacement keyboard is searching by the HP part number.

In my case I had two different HP part numbers on the keyboard: 580687-001 and 573148-001. I guess both part numbers are compatible.

If you need a replacement keyboard for HP Pavilion dm3 notebook, you can find it here.

Removing notebook top cover and cooling fan shown in steps 13-18.

STEP 13.

Remove marked screws form the bottom of the notebook.

STEP 14.

Remove six screws securing the top cover assembly.

Disconnect the top cover cable (left arrow) and touch pad cable (bottom arrow).

On some HP Pavilion dm3 models you’ll have to disconnect one more cable – the Bluetooth module cable.

On the following picture you can see the top cover cable disconnected.

On the following picture you can see how to open the touch pad cable connector.

STEP 15.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the notebook base.

You can use a thin piece of plastic (I’m using guitar pick) as a case cracker.

STEP 16.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

On the following picture the notebook shown with the top cover removed.

STEP 17.

Remove two screws securing the cooling fan.

Disconnect the fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Remove the cooling fan.

The cooling fan part number is printed on the white sticker. In my case the part number is: 580696-001

If you need a replacement fan for HP Pavilion dm3 notebook, you can find it here.

By the way, in HP Pavilion dm3 notebook the power jack is not soldered to the motherboard. The jack attached to the power harness.

When the power jack fails, you can disconnect the failed jack harness from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.

In this guide I explain how to disassemble an HP Pavilion dv7 notebook.

To be precise, I’m taking apart an HP Pavilion dv7t-1000 notebook but you should be able to use these instructions for all models in the Pavilion dv7 line.

The guide will show how to access both memory modules and hard drives if you are upgrading the notebook, remove most internal components, access and clean the cooling fan.

Before you start, turn off the notebook and remove the battery.

If you need spare part for your HP Pavilion dv7 notebook, you can search here.

STEP 1.

Remove (loosen) four screws securing the hard drive and memory cover. Remove the cover.

STEP 2.

Remove four screws securing hard drives (two screws per hard drive).

Slide the hard drive 1 to the left until it’s disconnected from the motherboard. Remove the hard drive 1.

Slide the hard drive 2 to the right until it’s disconnected from the motherboard. Remove the hard drive 2.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory (RAM) modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. These laptop has three antenna cables but only two are used.

One of the antenna cables connected to the main contact on the wireless card and the second one is connected to the auxiliary contact. All three antenna cables are labeled.

Remove two screws securing the wireless card. Remove the card.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive.

Slide the CD/DVD drive to the left to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Remove the CD/DVD drive.

STEP 5.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the notebook.

The green circled screw secures the keyboard.

Don’t forget to remove two screws hidden in the CD/DVD drive bay.

STEP 6.

Start separating the speaker cover from the notebook base.

You can use a guitar pick as a case cracker. Insert the guitar pick between the speaker cover and case and slowly move along the side.

STEP 7.

Lift up the speaker cover. Be careful, it’s still connected to the motherboard.

In order to remove the cable, you’ll have to unlock the connector first.

Move the brown clip about 2 millimeters in the direction shown by two arrows. The clip must stay attached to the connector base.

On the picture below the connector is shown in the unlocked position.

STEP 8.

Now you can remove the speaker cover.

STEP 9.

Remove four screw securing the keyboard.

STEP 10.

Lift up the keyboard from the base and access the cable connector underneath.

STEP 11.

Carefully unlock the keyboard cable connector.

Move the brown clip about 2 millimeters in the direction shown by two arrows. The brown clip must stay attached to the connector base.

If you damage the connector, the keyboard will not work when you assemble the notebook back together.

Well… I broke the connector. I removed thousands of laptop keyboards before but I broke this connector!

As you see, the left pin on the brown clip is missing.

No panic! I still can use this clip to lock the connector.

You’ll find more info here: Fixing damaged keyboard connector on a laptop motherboard.

STEP 12.

Pull Wi-Fi antenna cables though the opening in the cover.

Remove three screws securing the speaker assembly.

Disconnect the speaker cable (green arrow) from the motherboard.

STEP 13.

Remove the speaker assembly.

STEP 14.

Disconnect the video cable from the connector on the motherboard.

Remove six screws securing display hinges (three screws per hinge).

STEP 15.

Separate the display assembly from the notebook base.

In the next post I will explain how to take apart the display panel assembly and remove the LCD screen with inverter board.

By the way, it’s not necessary to separate the display panel assemble from the base in order to take it apart.

STEP 16.

Disconnect and remove the CMOS battery.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom. The green circled screw is hidden in the CD/DVD drive bay.

STEP 17.

Remove all screws securing the top cover assembly.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Start separating the top cover assemble from the notebook base.

You can use same trick with the guitar pick shown in the step 6.

STEP 19.

Remove the top cover assembly.

Here’s the back side of the top cover assembly.

STEP 20.

Disconnect the USB and audio board cables from the motherboard (green arrows).

Disconnect the cooling fan cable from the motherboard (yellow arrow).

Remove four screws securing the motherboard.

STEP 21.

Lift up the right side of the motherboard as it shown on the picture below and disconnect the DC-IN jack cable.

STEP 22.

Remove the motherboard from the notebook base.

On the opposite side of the motherboard you can access the processor (CPU) when the heat sink is removed.

The motherboard is dead? Check out these motherboard repair offers.

By the way, the best way to find a replacement motherboard is searching by the HP part number. The part number should be located on a sticker in the memory compartment. The HP part number looks like XXXXXX-001.

Here’s the notebook base without motherboard.

The USB board, audio board, cooling fan and DC-IN jack are mounted on the base.

In order to remove the cooling fan, simply remove two screws securing the fan.

As you see, the cooling fan is dusty and has to be cleaned.

UPDATE:

There are only two fans listed in the service manual for HP Pavilion dv7 series notebook. They are listed on the page 27.

488885-001 for laptops equipped with AMD processor.
480481-001 for laptops equipped with Intel processors.

One of the DIY-ers had trouble searching for a new replacement fan for her AMD notebook. After the notebook was disassembled, she found that it had an Intel fan installed.

Here’s her comment:

Forget the question I just asked…We opened up our laptop and found the fan for the Intel processor installed instead of the fan for the AMD…apparently these ARE interchangeable…FYI

Check out comments 29 and 30. Thanks to Liz for this information.

In the following guide I explain how to disassemble HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks. In this particular case I’m taking apart an HP Pavilion dv6700 notebook.

I believe this guide will work for some other models in the Pavilion dv6000 line.

You can use these instructions for removing and replacing all main notebook components.

If you need spare parts for HP Pavilion dv6500/dv6600/dv6700/dv6800 notebooks, you can search here.

Turn off the notebook and unplug the AC adapter.

STEP 1.

Remove the battery.

Remove four screws securing the hard drive and memory (RAM) covers. Remove both covers.

STEP 2.

Lift up the right side of the hard drive assembly to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Remove the hard drive assembly.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory (RAM) modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables (black and gray) from the wireless card. Remove two screws securing the wireless card to the motherboard. Remove the wireless card.

By the way, in this step you can access the CMOS (RTC) battery.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the CD/DVD drive to the laptop base.

Pull the CD/DVD drive from the notebook and remove it.

STEP 5.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook.

Do not forget:
- three screws in the CD/DVD drive bay (yellow).
- one screw in the hard drive bay (green).
- two hex studs under memory slots (orange).

Mark all removed screws somehow so you don’t forget their location when assemble the notebook back together.

STEP 6.

Carefully lift up the right side of the power button board cover.

There are two cables connected to the motherboard. We’ll disconnect these cables after removing the keyboard in the STEP 8.

STEP 7.

Now, when the power button board cover separated from the laptop case, you can remove the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 8.

Carefully disconnect the keyboard cable from the motherboard.

For more detailed keyboard removal instructions please follow this guide for HP Pavilion dv6000 laptop.

These instructions should be identical for HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks.

STEP 9.

Disconnect two cables running from the power button boar cover.

There are no locks on these connectors. Simply pull both cables from connectors.

STEP 10.

Turn the cover upside down and disconnect one cable from the power button board.

STEP 11.

Remove the cover.

STEP 12.

Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.

This connector is located close to the left display hinge.

STEP 13.

Pull both wireless card antenna cables through the opening in the top cover. Unroute both antenna cables.

Remove two screws securing the display assembly hinges.

STEP 14.

Lift up and separate the display assembly from the notebook base.

In one of the previous posts I explain how to disassemble the display assemble and remove the LCD screen from an HP Pavilion dv6000.

These instructions should be identical for HP Pavilion dv6500, dv6600, dv6700, dv6800 notebooks.

STEP 15.

Remove five screws securing the top cover assembly.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 16.

Start separating the plastic cover from the notebook base. You can use a piece of soft plastic (I’m using a guitar pick) to separate the cover from the base.

The cover has been removed.

STEP 17.

Separate the top cover assembly from the notebook base.

Again, as a case cracker I’m using the same guitar pick.

STEP 18.

Remove the top cover assembly.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

STEP 19.

Disconnect the Bluetooth module cable from the motherboard.

Remove two screws securing the Bluetooth module.

Remove the module.

STEP 20.

Remove four screws securing the express card slot.

Slide the slot board to the right and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 21.

There is only one screws securing the motherboard to the notebook base.

Remove these screw.

STEP 22.

Start removing the motherboard as it shown on the picture below.

When the motherboard is lifted up, disconnect one cable from the audio board.

There are two more cables connected to the motherboard and we’ll remove them in the next step.

STEP 23.

Turn the motherboard upside down and disconnect two more cables.

STEP 24.

The motherboard has been removed.

The audio board and power connector board are still connected to the notebook base.

STEP 25.

Loosen four screws securing the cooling assembly (heat sink and fan) to the motherboard.

STEP 26.

Lift up and remove the cooling assembly.

Now you can access the processor (CPU).

In this model the power connector (DC power jack) is not soldered directly to the motherboard.

The power connector is mounted on a separate board.

If the power connector fails, you can desolder it from the board and replace with a new one or replace the entire power connector board.

In the following guide I remove the motherboard from a Compaq Presario CQ50 laptop. Also this guide should work for Compaq Presario CQ 60/CQ70 and HP G50/G60/G70 laptops.

If you need replacement parts, you can find them here. Just search by the part name and laptop model.

Start laptop disassembly with removing the battery.

STEP 1.

Remove memory, hard drive and wireless card covers.

STEP 2.

Remove three screws securing the hard drive assembly.

Slide the hard drive assembly to the right, disconnect it from the motherboard and remove from the laptop.

STEP 3.

Remove both memory modules.

Disconnect two antenna cables from the wireless card. Remove two screws and remove the wireless card from the laptop.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.

Pull the DVD drive from the laptop.

STEP 5.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the laptop.

Disconnect the CMOS battery cable from the motherboard.

STEP 6.

Carefully lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 7.

Access the keyboard cable connector underneath the keyboard.

Unlock the connector before removing the keyboard.

In order to unlock the connector you’ll have to move the locking clip (white) about 2-3 millimeters towards the LCD screen.

The locking clip must stat attached to the connector base (dark brown) as it shown on the picture below.

Now you can release the cable and remove the keyboard.

STEP 8.

Unlock the power button cable connector.

On the following picture you can see the connector in the unlocked state.

Now you can remove the power button board cable from the connector.

STEP 9.

Remove the plastic cover.

STEP 10.

Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the webcam cable.

Pull the wireless card antenna cable through the opening in the top cover.

STEP 11.

Remove screws securing the display hinges.

STEP 12.

Remove the display assembly from the laptop.

In the next post I explain how to remove the LCD screen, inverter board and hinges from the display assembly in HP G50/G60/G70 laptops. It’s similar for Compaq Presario CQ50/CQ60/CQ70 laptops.

STEP 13.

Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

Remove screws securing the top cover assembly.

STEP 14.

Start separating the top cover assembly from the laptop base.

You can use a guitar pick in order to split the laptop case.

STEP 15.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

STEP 16.

Remove one screw securing the left speaker.

Remove the left speaker from the base.

STEP 17.

Remove four screws securing the motherboard.

Disconnect four cables from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Remove the motherboard from the laptop base.

The motherboard is dead? Check out these motherboard repair offers.

STEP 19.

Disconnect the cooling fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 20.

Loosen four screws securing the cooling fan assembly.

STEP 21.

Remove the cooling fan assembly from the laptop.

STEP 22.

In this model the power jack is not soldered to the motherboard.

You can unplug the power jack cable from the motherboard and replace it with a new one if needed.l

In this guide I remove the motherboard and repair the DC power jack in a Dell Inspiron B130 laptop. You can use same instructions for Dell Inspiron 1300 and Inspiron B120 laptops. All three models have same type of body.

In my case the power jack started failing intermittently. The laptop started switching from AC to battery power on its own. In order to switch it back to the AC power I had to fiddle with the adapter plug and find the right position. I tested the laptop with another adapter and it failed exactly the same way. I came to a conclusion that the DC power jack is not making good contact with the motherboard and has to be repaired.

In Dell Inspiron 1300/B120/B130 laptop the DC power jack is soldered to the motherboard. If the jack is broken, you’ll have to unsolder it and replace with a new jack.

Let’s start removing the motherboard.

STEP 1.

Check out spare parts for Dell Inspiron 1300/B120/B130.

Before you start taking the laptop apart, do not forget to turn off the power and remove the battery.

Lift up the right side of the keyboard cover with a small screwdriver and continue removing the cover with your fingers.

STEP 2.

After the cover is removed you can access two screws securing the keyboard. Remove both screws.

STEP 3.

Lift up the keyboard and place it upside down on the palm rest.

STEP 4.

Now you can access the cable connector and release the cable.

STEP 5.

Unlock the connector, pull the cable and remove the keyboard.

On the following picture the connector is displayed in the unlocked position.

STEP 6.

Remove two screws securing display hinges on the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 7.

Remove two screws securing display hinges on the back side of the laptop.

STEP 8.

Disconnect the video cable connector from the motherboard.
Disconnect the wireless card antenna cable.

STEP 9.

Remove the display panel assembly.

Here’s an example of removing the LCD screen from a Dell display panel.

STEP 10.

From the bottom of the laptop you can access the hard drive, memory modules, wireless card, optical CD/DVD drive and heat sink.

STEP 11.

Remove the hard drive cover.
Pull the hard drive assembly to the left and remove it from the laptop.

STEP 12.

Remove one screw securing the optical CD/DVD drive to the laptop base.
Pull the drive from the laptop and remove it.

STEP 13.

It’s not necessary to remove both memory modules and wireless card for the purpose of this guide but you have to disconnect the Wi-Fi antenna cable.

STEP 14.

Loosen four silver screws securing the heat sink.

STEP 15.

Pull the heat sink up and disconnect it from the processor.
As you see, in my laptop the heat sink is clogged with dust and needs a good cleaning.

STEP 16.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 17.

Remove eight screws securing the top cover.
Disconnect the touch pad cable.
Disconnect the lid close switch cable.
Disconnect the CMOS (RTC) battery.

In this model the lid close switch is discrete module and mounted under the fight hinge.
If the lid close switch failed, you can remove it and replace with a new one or simply unplug the faulty switch from the motherboard and use the laptop without it.

STEP 18.

Separate the top cover assembly from the laptop base and remove the cover.

STEP 19.

Remove five screws securing the motherboard.
Disconnect the speaker cable from the motherboard.

STEP 20.

Start removing the motherboard from the right side as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 21.

Remove motherboard from the laptop base.

The DC power jack is soldered directly to the motherboard.

I assumed that the power jack is not making good contact with the motherboard and I was correct.

As you see, there is a crack in the solder joint around the “+” pin.
The “+” pin got oxidized and not making good contact with the motherboard.

If you resolder the jack without cleaning the “+” pin, your repair will not last.

It is necessary to unsloder the power jack, clean all contacts and solder it back to the motherboard.

You’ll find more detailed instructing in this guide for fixing failed DC power jack in a laptop.

On the following picture you see the same jack soldered back to the motherboard.
You can find a new power jack for Dell Inspiron 1300/B120/B130 here for less than $8.

In this guide I will be taking apart a Compaq Presario M2000 notebook. The guide should work for all other notebooks in the Presario M2000 line. If it works for you, please mention the notebook model in the comments below. In my case I’m taking apart a Compaq Presario M2005US.

TAKING APART NOTEBOOK

First of all, turn off the notebook, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.

The following 8 steps explain how to remove the keyboard.

STEP 1.

Remove two screws in the battery compartment. These screws securing the keyboard bezel.

STEP 2.

Lift up one side of the keyboard bezel with a small flat head screwdriver. Continue removing the bezel with your fingers.

STEP 3.

The keyboard bezel has been removed.

STEP 4.

Remove four screws securing the keyboard.

STEP 5.

Lift up the keyboard. Be careful because the keyboard is still connected to the motherboard.

STEP 6.

Place the keyboard so you can access the cable connector.

STEP 7.

Carefully unlock the connector by moving the white part of the connector towards the hinges.
WARNING! If you accidentally break the connector, you will have to replace the whole motherboard or use the notebook with an external keyboard.

STEP 8.

Now you can release the cable and remove the keyboard.

You will find the keyboard part number on the back side of the keyboard. In my laptop the part number is 367777-001. Do you need a new keyboard for Presario M2000 notebook? Find a new inexpensive keyboard here.

In the following 2 steps I will remove the notebook LCD panel.

STEP 9.

Remove six screws securing the display hinges (three screws per hinge).
Disconnect the LCD cable (video cable) from the motherboard.
If you laptop came with Wi-Fi card, you’ll have to disconnect Wi-Fi antenna cables from the wireless card and unroute the cables. My laptop came without wireless card and because of that there are no Wi-Fi antenna cables running from the display panel.

By the way, you’ll find the display panel part number on a sticker above the LCD cable connector. In my case the part number is 381066-001. This is part number for the whole display panel assembly including the LCD screen, video cable, hinges, plastic cover and bezel.

Some sellers use this part number just for the LCD screen. Make sure you know what you are buying, the whole display panel or just the LCD screen. Ask the seller.

STEP 10.

Remove the display panel assembly. Here you can buy a new LCD screen or entire display panel for Presario M2000.

In the next guide I explain how to disassemble the display panel so you can remove the inverter board and LCD screen.

STEP 11.

Remove two screws securing the button board.
Disconnect the white ribbon cable from the button board.

STEP 12.

Remove the button board. You can find a new button board using this part number: DACT2BPI6B2.

STEP 13.

Remove the RAM, HDD and Wi-Fi card covers from the bottom of the notebook.

STEP 14.

Pull the hard drive up and remove it from the notebook.

STEP 15.

Remove both memory RAM modules.

STEP 16.

Remove one screws securing the CD/DVD drive and pull the drive from the notebook.
If you are just replacing the drive, you don’t have to go though all previous disassembly steps.

STEP 17.

Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook.

STEP 18.

Remove all screws securing the top cover.
Disconnect the touch pad cable from the motherboard.

STEP 19.

Turn the notebook upside down and carefully lift up the base cover.

STEP 20.

Remove the base cover.

STEP 21.

Now you can access the cooling fan.
In order to remove the fan you’ll have to remove two screws and unplug the fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 22.

Remove the cooling fan and replace it with a new one if needed.

STEP 23.

Unplug the speaker assembly cable from the motherboard and remove the speaker assembly.

STEP 24.

The battery is connected to the motherboard via a battery board.
Remove two screws securing the battery board and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 25.

In a Presario M2000 notebook the power connector (power jack) is located on a separate power connector board. You can remove and replace the power connector board without removing the motherboard.

Remove two screws securing the power connector board and unplug it from the motherboard.

The power connector board is removed.

Using the part number DA0CT2PB6D8 you can find a new power connector board here.

In a case of power connector (power jack) failure either resolder/replace the power jack or replace the whole power connector board.

STEP 26.

Remove four screws securing the motherboard.

STEP 27.

Carefully lift up the motherboard on one side.

STEP 28.

Remove the motherboard.

The processor (CPU) is located under the heat sink.

Before you start do not forget to turn off the laptop, unplug the AC power adapter and remove the battery.

STEP 1.

On the screen bezel you’ll find six screw seals. Four rubber seals and two plastic seals.

You can remove these seals with a sharp object.
Remove all six screws found under the seals.

STEP 2.

Start separating the screen bezel from the display cover with your fingers. You can use a piece of soft plastic to separate the bezel.

Continue separating the screen bezel on the top of the display and after that move to the lower part.

Finally, remove the screen bezel.

STEP 3.

Remove four screws securing the LCD screen to the left mounting bracket.

STEP 4.

Remove four screws securing the LCD screen to the right mounting bracket.

STEP 5.

Remove two screws securing the web camera.

STEP 6.

Separate the LCD screen assembly from the display cover. As you see, the web camera is still attached to the screen assembly.

STEP 7.

Plase the LCD screen assembly upside down on the palm rest.
The green ribbon cable is the video cable and it has two connectors. One of the is connected to the LCD screen and another one to the inverter board.

Carefully push on two latches on both sides of the LCD connector, release the cable and disconnect it from the LCD screen.

Pull the second connector up and disconnect it from the inverter board.

STEP 8.

Remove the screen assembly (LCD screen and inverter board).

The inverter board is attached to the bottom part of the LCD screen. The inverter board can be replaced separately.

The best way to find a new replacement screen is searching by the LCD screen model number or Dell part number. Both numbers can be found on one sticker with a barcode.

You can find a cheap replacment LCD screen for Dell Vostor 1500 and other Dell laptops here.

Today I explain how to repair a damaged power connector also known as power jack in Toshiba Satellite L305 and L355 laptops. I started covering this problem in one of the previous posts.

Also this power jack modification should work for the following models: Toshiba Satellite L300, L305D, L355D, P305, P305D, Toshiba Satellite Pro L300, L350 and probably some other Toshiba laptops.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION. The power jack gets pushed into the laptop base so it feels loose.

I will replace the original plastic jack with a generic metal jack purchased at RadioShack for about $3.
The RadioShack part number is 274-1576. This jack is designed for tip size 5.5mm O.D.x2.5mm I.D. You can order this jack online or pick it up in a local store.

Proceed on your own risk! If you do something wrong, you can damage the laptop.

In order to access and repair the power jack it’s necessary to disassemble the laptop and remove the top cover assembly (palm rest). Here’s an example of removing the top cover assembly from a Toshiba Satellite L355D, you’ll have to follow steps 1-14.

Disassembly steps for all above mentioned models will be very similar.

OK, let’s say the top cover is removed and we are inside the laptop. By the way, I’m fixing a Satellite L305D laptop.

Why the power jack feels loose? You see the answer on the picture below.

In my case both, the power jack and mounting brackets on the base assembly got broken. Even if you replace the broken jack with a new one, it will not stay attached to the base. If you send a laptop with a damage like that to a repair shop, they will recommend replacing the power jack harness and laptop base. This repair will easily cost over $200 but I have a better idea how to fix it for $3 without replacing the base assembly.

Here’s my new replacement panel-mount jack which should last for a long time unlike the original Toshiba jack.

All laptops mentioned above come with one of the following AC adapter: 19v-3.42A, 19V-3.95A, 19V-4.74A or 19V-6.3A.
All these power adapter will fit perfectly into the jack from RadioShack.

LET’S START THE REPAIR.

STEP 1.

Using a pocket knife remove plastic supports from the internal side of the base assembly, so the side where the new jack will be mounted is flat.

On the picture below you see plastic supports removed.

STEP 2.

Again, using the pocket knife remove the plastic wall surrounding the mounting hole. Make the hole larger, so then new jack fits in.

STEP 3.

The new jack is too long and if you install it as is the laptop cover will not sit properly on the base. It happens because one of the speakers (in Satellite L305D) is located very close to the power jack.

It will work if you make the jack shorter. You can cut off part of the long “-” lead or simply bent it as I did. After it’s done coat both leads with generous amount of solder.

STEP 4.

Now remove the damaged power jack from the laptop and cut off wires somewhere close to the jack base.

Remove isolation, twist wires and coat them with solder.

The red “+” wire will connect to the lead in the center of the new jack.
The black “-” wire will connect to the lead on the side – the one you made shorter.

In some laptops Toshiba uses green wires instead or red wires. They also should be soldered to the “+” lead in the center of your new jack.

WARNING! Check the polarity before you apply power to the laptop.

STEP 5.

Now mount the new power jack on the base.

STEP 6.

Solder wires to the new jack. Again, the red wire is soldered to the lead in the center and the black on to the lead on the side.

As you see, I soldered wires at a 90 degree angle to the jack so the top cover (and the right speaker) fits in.

I covered both leads with electrical tape.

The new (modified) power harness has been installed into the laptop base. Now you can tighten the nut on the power jack and secure it on the base.

STEP 7.

You’ll have to modify the top cover assembly a little bit so it fits on the laptop.

Remove plastic reinforcement walls so they do not touch the power jack when the cover is installed. If you leave these walls, there will be a gap between the cover and base.

The plastic walls have been removed.

STEP 8.

Assemble the laptop. You are done!

I think the new power jack is way more robust then the original one and should last for a long time.

And it looks great too.

Here’s an example of damaged power jack in a Satellite L355D laptop. This base is bigger than in Satellite L305 and you’ll have plenty of space for your modification.

Here’s another example of damaged base assembly in a Satellite P305D laptop. Again, there is plenty of space for the jack modification.

By the way, if your laptop is still under warranty, Toshiba might fix this problem at no charge. Call them first or take the laptop to the authorized repair center.

If this modification works for you, please mention the laptop model in the comments. You are welcome to post any suggestions and improvements.

If this fix works for any other Toshiba laptop, please mention the model number in the comments below.

In a Dell Latitude D500 laptop the power jack is soldered to the motherboard. If the laptop loses power intermittently when you wiggle the power plug, most likely the power jack is damaged and has to be repaired. In order to repair the power jack you’ll have to remove the motherboard.

In one of the previous posts I explained how to remove the motherboard from a Dell Latitude D500 but it came out mounted to a metal bracket. You cannot access and repair the power jack while the motherboard is mounted to the metal bracket, it has to be removed first.

OK, let’s prepare the motherboard for the power jack repair.

STEP 1.

Remove two screws securing the cooling fan. Disconnect fan cable from the motherboard. Remove the fan.

STEP 2.

Remove one screw securing the power button board. Lift up the board and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 3.

Loosen three (red) screws and remove one (green) screw securing the heat sink. Remove the heat sink.

STEP 4.

Remove one screw securing the CD-Rom cover. Remove the cover.

STEP 5.

Remove four screws securing the hard drive bracket. Lift up the bracket and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 6.

Remove two screws securing the speaker assembly. Disconnect the speaker cable from the motherboard. Unplug the CMOS (RTC) battery.

STEP 7.

Remove two screws securing the PC card slot. Lift up the slot and disconnect it from the motherboard.

STEP 8.

Remove one screw securing the modem card. Unplug the modem cable from the motherboard. Remove modem with the cable and phone jack.

STEP 9.

Remove six hex studs from the laptop ports.

STEP 10.

Remove one screw securing the motherboard. This screw is located on the left side from the power jack.

STEP 11.

Start separating the motherboard from the metal bracket.

The motherboard has been removed.

Now you can access the power jack and repair it.

If the power jack is broken, you’ll have to replace it with a new one. If the power jack is loose, you’ll have to resolder it to the motherboard.

Here are instructions for removing and replacing laptop power jack.

What could be wrong? Is it bad power jack or the motherboard is dead?

By the way, the power jack aka DC-IN jack is the power socket on the side or back of your laptop where you plug the AC/DC power adapter.

I’ll explain how to perform basic troubleshooting and find out what is wrong. This is only for experienced people, who know how to disassemble laptops.

First of all, test the AC/DC power adapter with a multimeter. It’s very likely that there is noting wrong with the laptop and your problem is related to the power adapter.

If the adapter tests fine and output correct voltage, disassemble the laptop and remove the top cover.

As you see on the first picture, in my laptop the power adapter plugs into the DC-IN power jack which is connected to the motherboard via a harness.
In some models the DC-IN power jack is soldered directly to the motherboard.

Plug in the power adapter and measure voltage at the point where the DC-IN jack or DC harness (like in my case) connected to the motherboard.

If you are reading the same voltage as on the AC adapter, it means the power jack or harness works properly and the problem is related to the motherboard.

If there is no voltage, most likely there is a problem with the jack or hardness and it has to be replaced.

By the way, in some case the problem could be related to the fuse which is usually located somewhere very close to the power jack/harness connector. You can test the fuse with a multimeter.

If the fuse is bad, the motherboard will appear to be dead even if there is nothing wrong with the power jack and AC/DC adapter. If that’s the case, replacing the bad fuse should fix the problem.