T40 won't charge, works plugged in only (PIC WARNING)

[kaefio]

Wow. So glad I found this forum.

I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with. I inherited a T40 (2373-19U) from my brother and he basically told me it was dead. I brought it home and found the problem: a bad power jack. During the replacement, I and noticed that the surrounding area on the motherboard was a little charred. Didn't really think nothing of it at the time but after putting it together, I noticed that the battery will not charge. The battery light would stay on as if it were charging but after a few hours, it would just blink. The laptop works fine plugged in, but not on the battery.

I have pictures hopefully attached of both top and bottom of the motherboard so you guys can see what I'm talking about. And I've removed the power jack to get a better view. On the bottom view, that component on the edge is literally cracked. I love this laptop and want it to work, but I just don't want to invest too much money, like in a new MB. Are there components of the MB I can replace?

And thanks in advance!






Mod Edit - Welcome to the forums. You must post a PIC WARNING in the subject if you imbed pictures. Please see the forum rules. - Harryc -

[makai]

I had quite a lengthy spew here, but then decided it would be a wasted read. I'm an engineer and my lab deals with a lot of boards with SMDs installed on them. In a lab environment, working with SMDs is difficult enough with high power scopes and low heat soldering irons that unless you have this specialized equipment to do the work with, I would have to say this board is toast. Hate to say it but it looks like you have a new motherboard in your future. Not to mention... fire hazard if you don't do the repair right. I had to mention that since people do leave their laptops plugged in unatteneded at times.

[frankiepankie]

Looks like a SMD resistor.

First i thought "check the fuses" because that is what they advice in other topics here, when a laptop does accept AC, but doesn't charge.

But fuses would only stop working, and not burn like this.


You could try to measure the fuses with an multimeter (set to Ohm measuring) and look if they are broken.

Fuses look like this:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_t2x/main_fuses.jpg

You should look for highres pictures of the T40 mainboard (i think they are available somewhere here on the forum ) and then look what the component should look like, and what it is.

[kaefio]

I guess I was just postponing the inevitable. Off to Ebay I go. Thanks for the help.