Thinkpads Forum

We now have a 2nd ThinkPad 600x. it has one problem - the pin that the ac cord plugs into is so lose that the machine won't work on ac power (but will run on battery power.)

I can't tell from the diagrams in the owner's manual if I can open up the machine and either replace or repair (i.e., solder) the loose pin. Any thoughts on that?

If the only way to solve this problem is a new board, I’d rather get a docking station / port replicator so i can just bypass the whole issue. Looks like there are a lot of used ones out there. Only trouble is that it looks like there are many versions of the "X" series ThinkPad replicators/stations. How will I know which one is right/will work best for me? (Also – like an HP model that I also have, do the ThinkPad port replicators require a different power cord than the one that plugs directly into the 600x?)

Mod edit: I can see how you perhaps got confused by the T6x Series and posted your question in that forum, but your 600X is a much older ThinkPad than the T60 or T61. Posts regarding the 600X should be in the ThinkPad Legacy Hardware forum. I moved your post accordingly.

I just replaced the AC connector on a 600E this weekend. I have two dead 600 series mobos here, so I swapped the AC connector. Works fine now. All that's required is a soldering iron. My cheapo "stick" soldering iron worked fine. Not difficult at all, but a soldering wick would make it 10 times easier. I was just too lazy to run to the store.

A few weeks ago, I fixed an Averatec laptop for a friend. The power jack's center connector had come undone. After soldering it back in place, I added a wire going from the pin to the mainboard so that way, if it comes loose again, the laptop will still get power. For that job, you just need to make sure you use good quality solder. I also added some epoxy to the back of that jack to further secure and keep the pin in place.

thanks. I have the 600x open, with the keyboard, sub card and screen removed. does the black covering over the metal housing that surrounds the pin lift off? (it's the plastic part that has 2 screw holes, one of which the sub card screws into.) sems like if that black plastic can come off it is pretty easy to get to where the pin is soldered to the board. if that plastic part doesn't come off, how do i get to the spot that i need to repair?

mnigro wrote:...does the black covering over the metal housing that surrounds the pin lift off?

I am looking at a 600e m/b which is (likely) similar to the 600x as regards to the power jack. The plastic covering does lift off after the single screw (under the board) that holds it is taken out. The center pin's end together with its solder connection to the board is then accessible from the socket's open back.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Rick. Was hoping I could get to it without removing the entire board, but it sounds like that's necessary.

AlphaKilo470 wrote:A few weeks ago, I fixed an Averatec laptop for a friend. The power jack's center connector had come undone. After soldering it back in place, I added a wire going from the pin to the mainboard so that way, if it comes loose again, the laptop will still get power. For that job, you just need to make sure you use good quality solder. I also added some epoxy to the back of that jack to further secure and keep the pin in place.

I like your idea of the additional wire, thanks for that. When I've fixed laptops for friends (that are especially hard on theirs) I too have used epoxy and its the key to long term durability.
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Cheers...