Replacing T430s power jack

[tavegyl]

I hope it's ok to ask for advice as a total newbie - I couldn't see anything in the FAQ so here goes.

I dropped my Lenovo Thinkpad T430s whilst it was charging. There's a visible crack inside the yellow power port and the charger fits loosely inside it. It takes some wiggling to get it to charge and occasionally the computer goes off to sleep when I try. Other than that the computer's fine. I can do my work on it, but I really would like to get it back to speed.

It's not covered by the warranty and when I called Lenovo's service centre, just the labour charges were more than I paid for this computer.

It takes the pin-shaped charger, not the newer one that looks almost like a USB.

So my questions:

1. Is this something I can fix myself? My own hardware ability is limited to operating a screwdriver and swapping out RAM, but I can give it a shot with good instructions.

2. If so, where should I get the parts? I don't even know which parts might need changing. I've pulled up the parts list from the Lenovo website but they mean nothing to me.

3. If not, can you recommend anyone in London, ideally Central London, who will be reliable, capable, and not charge a ridiculous amount? (This is the option which would make me happiest; I suspect I'm out of my depth here)

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
What you need is the DC-In Sub card, P/N 04W3997: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271431266492
If you find someone handy, they could take out that card from your laptop, and just replace the (broken) yellow socket, which is soldered onto it.
That would be this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=le ... r&_sacat=0

To get at it, download the HMM: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 538_02.pdf
and follow the instructions in Chapter 9, section 1120

With just a Phillips #0 or #1 screwdriver you can do it yourself.
When you take out any screws, make a drawing with their location and tape those screws on it.

[tavegyl]

Goodness, that's really helpful, thank you! Even with the shipping from the US that is less than 10% of what the service centre quoted for labour costs. I imagine just swapping the card will do and I don't need to actually replace the socket itself?

Welcome to the Forum.
What you need is the DC-In Sub card, P/N 04W3997: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271431266492
If you find someone handy, they could take out that card from your laptop, and just replace the (broken) yellow socket, which is soldered onto it.
That would be this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=le ... r&_sacat=0

To get at it, download the HMM: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 538_02.pdf
and follow the instructions in Chapter 9, section 1120

With just a Phillips #0 or #1 screwdriver you can do it yourself.
When you take out any screws, make a drawing with their location and tape those screws on it.

[RealBlackStuff]

correct.