Help me save $ by fixing my laptop

[kwynn]

Months ago, I had a lady on an airplane dump a coffee on my leg and bag. It was an accident, and it hurt--I got burned and embarrassed myself by shouting.

Anyway, she didn't offer to pay for my laptop, and it works anyway, or it did, up until last week.

Now, the power outlet stopped working. It's not the cord, and it's not the battery---it's like the connection where the cord goes, I believe. You can fix it yourself, but it's a lot of work (and time I don't have right now), and it's too expensive for me to have someone fix it.

I should just buy another laptop, but it's not in the budget, especially for how little I use this one. I use this during client meetings to show my work (since I can't meet clients at home right now) and at weddings to show their images from the day, so I use it like 1-2 hours a week. I also conduct Skype meetings with it.

Also, it's freaking sentimental because my husband gave me this laptop. He could have fixed it because he could fix anything with computers.

Anyway, it WILL run off the battery---it just can't charge the battery anymore.

Is there anything out there that can charge a battery externally from a laptop? Like a charging station?

I would just buy another battery and have them charged and ready to go all the time, and that would be a cheap solution and keep it out of the landfill.

Does this even exist?

[Nonny]

You might be able to buy a docking station, which would charge your battery when the laptop is docked (works through different connectors than your wall charger). But the key word is might, because it's going to depend on what kind of laptop and how old.

[ellipses84]

The docking station is a great suggestion. I have seen charging stations for laptop batteries, but it is really dependent on the type. You could take it to a place like Fryes for a free quote to fix it, but they can be pricey, especially if they need special parts. We got a quote for $500 from them for an issue with our Dell laptop, but knew an IT guy who was willing to fix it in his spare time for $200.

[thumper55]

the connector is probably built into the motherboard, so you could buy a new motherboard. You could find out what motherboard to buy from the support site of the manufacturer, or open up the laptop up and see. If you know anyone who is a a computer geek, maybe they can install it for you.

[bluesecrets]

My H just had this same issue. He brought it in to a local computer shop who charged him $75 I think to fix it.
If you are comfortable enough, you really just need to open the computer, take out the motherboard, and solder the port to the board. We attempted this before bringing it in but couldn't get it exactly right.

[belovedbride07]

Feb 1, 2013 8:39:04 GMT -5 bluesecrets said:

My H just had this same issue. He brought it in to a local computer shop who charged him $75 I think to fix it.
If you are comfortable enough, you really just need to open the computer, take out the motherboard, and solder the port to the board. We attempted this before bringing it in but couldn't get it exactly right.

We've had the same problem with a couple laptops in our family; luckily DH has been able to solder them back in place. Kwynn, if you have a soldering iron, you might be able to find instructions online. Or maybe you know a geek you can bribe with beer or coffee.

[Deleted]

I have a docking station for Lenovo that I use every day. I know there are battery chargers for Mac laptops as well.

[kwynn]

Feb 1, 2013 10:19:32 GMT -5 belovedbride07 said:

Feb 1, 2013 8:39:04 GMT -5 bluesecrets said:

My H just had this same issue. He brought it in to a local computer shop who charged him $75 I think to fix it.
If you are comfortable enough, you really just need to open the computer, take out the motherboard, and solder the port to the board. We attempted this before bringing it in but couldn't get it exactly right.

We've had the same problem with a couple laptops in our family; luckily DH has been able to solder them back in place. Kwynn, if you have a soldering iron, you might be able to find instructions online. Or maybe you know a geek you can bribe with beer or coffee.

It's $200 here to get the motherboard or DC jack replaced because of the labor.

I don't know anything about soldering. My DH was a computer engineer and he used to do stuff like that and he sometimes would heat parts up in the oven.

I feel bad asking any of our computer friends to fix it because I've asked for so much help this past year.

I feel confident tackling it myself (watching YouTube etc for instructions) but do I need to buy a new motherboard? And where do I buy soldering iron?

Also, is this a 6+ hour job? I don't have that much time. I'm worried I'll make it so much worse...

[belovedbride07]

DH says you may also need a torx screwdriver, and the hardest part might be figuring out how to pry off the plastic body of the laptop--it doesn't always lift off easily once the screws are removed.

You can get a soldering iron at Radio Shack; I'm sure there's other places but that where everyone in my family has bought theirs.