Thinkpads Forum

I have a problem with my old 600E. It gets no power from the power adapter. The problem is in the yellow power port in the back of the computer. I have verified that the problem is not with the adapter as the same thing happens when using another one, and both adapters work properly on another thinkpad. After looking around I believe that the contacts in the socket are pushed to the sides making it very hard to have a clean contact. If I push around the plug (when plugged in to the thinkpad) it is possible to make a good connection but only when I push very hard.

Has anyone seen this problem before? Any suggestions?

thanks

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Yes, it sounds like a problem with the DC input jack, which I'm pretty sure has been experienced before by others (you can use the Search link at the top of the page). I'm looking at a 600X system at the moment and the jack is soldered directly onto the motherboard; not an easy thing to replace, assuming you can get a properly working one.

To fix a troublesome DC jack people have used a straightened-out paper clip to carefully bend the three metal contacts in toward the center pole. Put the end of the paper clip "behind" the metal and push it towards the center. If that doesn't help, then you may be looking at a motherboard replacement (if the 600E is like the 600X in how the jack is mounted).

thanks for your help.

I have a donor 600E and if I decide to take the replacement route I will do so, however it is quite a messy job to remove everything and put it all back (I am not even sure if my donor's motherboard is working). I will try the paper clip idea first, and see what happens.

Nice to be part of this forum!

Ari

Might help you to know that the ThinkPad can also be powered through a docking station.

Good point, if the OP mostly uses the 600E on a desk. As a "portable" solution however, I wouldn't want to drag around a docking station which weighs at least half as much as the 600E and sticks out on every side except the front.