AC adapter/charger for X201 (3113-X06)

[Brainer]

Hi:

I have an old X201 here, Model/Type: 3113-X06. Can anyone tell me the exact model of the AC adapter for it? Some of the photos on the web suggest they use a typical barrel connector with OD = 7.9mm and ID = 5.5 mm. However, the charging port on my X201 doesn't look like one that would accept a standard barrel connector. (See attached photo). UGH! I can't get the image to show. I inserted a link from Imgur for it. Anyways, I've actually never seen a connector that looks like that.

Also, in this thread, viewtopic.php?f=43&t=88827
someone said that you may get better performance out of an equivalent 90W AC adapter than the 65W model that was designed for the X210t. Is that correct? If so, which model would be appropriate to match my X201's charging port type?


Thank you in advance.

[TPFanatic]

in my opinion your best bet is find an old original used or like-new charger for sale somewhere, the 20V barrel style was ubiquitous across the ThinkPad lineup from 2005 through 2013, they are so popular, they should be very cheap, even cheaper than a knockoff, and even if not, it's worth it to get an official charger.

65W vs 90W only makes a difference if you are running without the battery, in which case if using a 65W the laptop may reduce performance for safety, if using 90W it shouldn't care, but YMMV.

[Brainer]

Thanks. Yes, I realize that. How can I get the image I tried to post to post properly? My connector doesn't look like any typical barrel connector I've ever seen, and I'd like show what it looks like just to make sure I get the right thing.

[TPFanatic]

I think i see your image, heres the url to the imgur site at least https://imgur.com/a/lph7RIQ

ok the problem is the socket is physically damaged, there’s supposed to be a round part in the middle. i don’t recommend using it like this, maybe it will work, idk.

the power port is a replacement part, you can check the X201 or X200 “hardware maintenance manual” for step by step instructions on doing that. https://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_p ... 632_10.pdf and if you happen upon a docking station for X200 or X201 also known as the ultrabase, it will have its own power port too, and a sata dvd drive bay, which may be nice.

[Brainer]

I wasn't sure it was damaged, as you said, so I gently moved one of the outer metal connector tabs with a pry tool. There are two round pins side by side between the two larger tabs. Does that sound right?

[TPFanatic]

Heres a listing for the port, see picture 5 for how it’s supposed to look
https://ebay.us/m/kDDObQ


Please also see this image of the laptop when new https://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmi ... e6491c.jpg

[Brainer]

Respectfully, that's not even close to the same port as on mine. Mine has no plastic stub in the middle and two metal tabs with two round pins in between. Any other thoughts? Do you have any idea how I can fix my attachment so it displays properly?

[axur-delmeria]

This forum doesn't allow attachments.

Upload the photo to imgur or any image hosting site, then link to it. It doesn't have to be an embedded image.

[TPFanatic]

i already told you your port is physically damaged. go ahead and blow up your laptop if you insist

[Brainer]

Again, with respect, your thesis is that my power jack is missing a large, wide chunk of plastic in the middle of it? And if so, why do I see zero signs of a break in said plastic in the jack? As I said, the picture you posted looks nothing like my jack. The jack in the photo you posted also doesn't show the two small round contact pins in the middle of my jack, nor the two more rectangular-shaped contact pins on each side of them.

[Brainer]

This forum doesn't allow attachments.

Upload the photo to imgur or any image hosting site, then link to it. It doesn't have to be an embedded image.

I did, or at least I thought I did. What did I do wrong for it not to display properly?

[RealBlackStuff]

Your DC-in port is damaged beyond repair with 2 bent contacts and a missing center stub.
It really is a NObrainer for anybody else to see that!
If you still insist that the suggested eBay port is not right, I suggest you leave here and go to the "experts" on Reddit.

[axur-delmeria]

I did, or at least I thought I did. What did I do wrong for it not to display properly?

I just noticed the link. That port is badly damaged-- the plastic part in the center is completely gone. You should replace the port immediately. Good thing the charging port connects to the system board via a cable, so you don't have to use a soldering iron to replace it. The ebay item TPFanatic linked to seems to be the correct part. You need to disassemble the laptop to access the charging port: fortunately the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) that contains the disassembly instructions is readily available-- TPFanatic already linked to it in his earlier posts.

[Brainer]

If you're correct, why did I never see a piece of bright yellow plastic on the floor? Why don't I see the two tab-like connectors in the photo of the jack you posted? Where are they hiding? And why aren't the existing connector pins severely bent out of shape or even broken, if a huge piece of plastic would've had to push them far out of the way when it fell out of a well-built laptop?

[RealBlackStuff]

Why are you still here?

[Brainer]

Why are you still rude and sarcastic? None of that is called for simply because I refuted/rebutted your claims. You're not a Moderator.

[RealBlackStuff]

Let's just say I'm allergic to time wasters.

PS: I have Admin rights...

[Brainer]

I see. So you provoke people, then when they politely stand up and rebut your arguments, you insinuate a threat. Got it.

[axur-delmeria]

If you're correct, why did I never see a piece of bright yellow plastic on the floor? Why don't I see the two tab-like connectors in the photo of the jack you posted? Where are they hiding? And why aren't the existing connector pins severely bent out of shape or even broken, if a huge piece of plastic would've had to push them far out of the way when it fell out of a well-built laptop?

The tab-like connectors are normally hidden by the plastic part in the middle that broke off.

As for why you never saw a bright yellow plastic on the floor, we cannot answer that because we aren't in your house, apartment, or wherever that particular Thinkpad is. None of us knows the circumstances of how that X201's charging port got damaged.

What we do know is how it should look like, because that charging port design was used in six generations of Thinkpads, from the X60 to the X230.
Some of us here have personally owned an X201, and those who don't, have owned a Thinkpad that has the exact same charging port.

If you don't believe us, believe this photo of an X201's left side from notebookcheck.net's review article: https://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin ... 03547c.jpg

As for being a "well-built laptop", remember that the X201 was released in 2010, fifteen years ago. That's a lot of time for a charging port to break.

[Brainer]

Those arguments are more convincing. Thanks. Any idea how easy it is to open up the case and replace this cable/connector? My hands aren't steady.

[axur-delmeria]

You need a full disassembly (remove the system board) to gain access to the power connector and its cable. That involves removing a fair amount of cables (keyboard, touchpad, WiFi antenna, LCD cable, etc.) some of which have small connectors.

To get an idea what needs to be done, watch an X201 disassembly video like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjfviIQaOOc or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZZSD8x9_8 , though these take shortcuts which I don't recommend (like removing all the bottom screws at the same time) when disassembling the laptop for the first time. Reading the X200/X201 Hardware Maintenance Manual is recommended.

Set aside at least four hours, work at a slow, deliberate pace, take photos as you go along, and keep track where each screw goes to which hole. Trying to hurry up may result in mistakes, so it's best to stay calm and go slow. Taking shortcuts is not recommended when opening up the laptop for the first time-- IMO it will come naturally once you've torn down and rebuilt the same laptop a few times.


You can use this opportunity to clean the heatsink (and fan) and replace the thermal paste. I suggest PTM 7950 phase-change thermal pad instead of thermal paste, as it doesn't dry out for years.

[Brainer]

Ugh. In that case, it's not for me. I'll just sell it. From what I understand, there's a market for X201s, right?

[axur-delmeria]

Sell it for cheap and someone will get it off your hands.

[Brainer]

I may reconsider and repair it. I've recycled/refurbished/repaired a lot of stuff the last few years. It will depend on how delicate the work is. Thanks very much for all the help. I'll post back if I have any other questions.

[TPFanatic]

I misapprehended that your machine is the Tablet model, so the proper maintenance manual is this one: https://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/hmm_p ... 683_04.pdf

Best of luck!

[Brainer]

I've decided to attempt to do the transplant.

TPFanatic: Since you said that initially, you misunderstood which model I had, is that recommendation upthread for the AC port still correct, or should it be another FRU/part number?

What are the risks of following the instructions in the video, such as removing all the screws at once?

Thank you.