This happened with a previous laptop, and it's happened to this one too (Samsung R-700)

I have a loose power connection point, the lead works but I've recently had to jiggle the lead and try and hold it at odd angles to get some power into the laptop at all. The battery is bad, I'll admit (6 mins from full charge) but the connection isn't even letting me run the laptop whilst plugged in.

Can anyone advise me of either a short-term solution or a way of fixing it myself?

I'm stuck abroad with deadlines and I'd rather send it back to the manufacturer as a last resort since the tiniest bit of power here and there is better than none at all and with the current ash situation, international posting will be worse than ever.

Thanks for any advice

TrappedInTheDarkAgesWithoutPower, April 2010

Many of the PCBs are difficult to repair due to size of actual solder joint. Many PCB melt under the extreme hea of soldering iron if you are not careful. & will probably result in new mobo.The cost to repair is often too expensive & NOT cost effective.
Although the power "socket" is a couple of quid, its like removing a car engine etc to renew clutch cable...the labour costs are stupid (Unless you can get a fixed price from UK dealer)

Tony D, April 2010

In a desperate situation you might consider having it hard-wired i.e. dismantle laptop - cut free socket from adapter lead - solder plus and minus wires to baseboard - tie cable - reassemble. And have it fixed properly when you eventually return. Any half decent repair technician with a soldering iron should be able to make this "repair".

This has never happened to any of my laptops - I think you might be the cause of the problem - small plug/sockets do not like to be knocked about. They are not breaking of their own accord.

Tight coiling of adapter leads can cause the inner conductors to break over time and cause similar problems (and is reamarkably common) - take care how you wind the leads.

Bon voyage...

Peccavi, April 2010