Power jack issue with A31 and possible fix?

[stoneco]

I have a ThinkPad A31 model 2652 and I love it, but haven't used it in a while because the external power cord will not power or recharge the laptop through the jack. The cord is not the issue as I have an external battery charger and can keep recharging batteries and swap them out.

However I would love to be able to use this machine without having to constantly watch my battery meter or have to completely replace the motherboard. I got a good deal on the machine and a new motherboard is more than what I paid for the laptop.

I have a chance to get a very inexpensive port replicator and from what I can see all power is supplied through the pin connector on the bottom of the machine and not through the jack circuit.

Can anyone verify that I am correct in thinking that this would be a work around for the power problem, or can you verify that both the jack and connector go through the same circuit and therefore the problem would be the same if using the replicator?

If the majority of people think this will work I will invest in the experiment.

[ajkula66]

A port replicator, which can be had for $15 or less, would be the first thing I'd try...it worked on a couple of machines that I've owned with power plug issues...

Good luck.

[stoneco]

That is just what I wanted to hear. I found one on Ebay for about $6 so it is definately worth trying.

P.S. The Crimson’s “Epitaph” used to be my typing practice in high school. “The wall on which the prophets wrote is cracking at the seams…” LOL