DC Jack replacement??

[pt1209]

A few questions about DC Jack replacement.. My jack has to be in just the right position for it to make contact, not a big deal but life would be much nicer if I didn't have to worry about it..
My questions are:
Is the DC jack directly connected to the motherboard?
Is it a tough job to replace?
Where would I pick one up?
Honestly I thought it would mean I'd have to replace the whole motherboard, something I rather not do since other then the bad jack the motherboard is flawless...

[ajkula66]

What machine specifically are we discussing here?

[Unknown_K]

From what I have seen you either have the jack soldered onto the motherboard (older systems) or you have a jack connected via a cable to the motherboard (newer systems). Either way they are both easy to replace with either a little desoldering and soldering, or just replacing the cable. I repaired a Compaq 110 laptop over the weekend, took longer to rip it apaprt and put it back together then it did to desolder and solder in a new plug (which ran me $4 including shipping from ebay). If the plug is loose it will eventually fail anyway (which is what happened to me), so you might as well fix it now instead of waiting for it to break when you are in the middle of something.

If you have the solder on type you will need a new plug, some solder wick (copper braid that soaks up melted lead solder), solder (lead type is what I use), an electronics grade soldering iron ($15 at radioshack), some solder flux ( a few dabs on the thru-hole parts so the solder goes all the way in the hole) and thats about it. You will need some Torx screwdrivers to get the laptop apart.

If you don't know how to solder or take the machine apart any decent computer shop should be able to do it for you for a small fee (it is common for them to replace plugs).

[RealBlackStuff]

I thought the 701C Butterfly was the last Thinkpad where you needed Torx screwdrivers...

[Unknown_K]

I thought the 701C Butterfly was the last Thinkpad where you needed Torx screwdrivers...

Could be, I have a small screwdriver set with all the security bits along with the normal phillips that I use. Nice to know no matter what you need it is there (except for that T1 I need for the 701c).

[pt1209]

What machine specifically are we discussing here?

I have a R40-2681 Thinkpad..