Dell complaints

Trixi's Mom

I am posting because we found a solution to our problem - (AC Adapter not recognized, after replacing power jack). For $145 dollars, GL Services (www.gl-services.com, Milpitas. CA) determined the problem was due to the BGA – ball grid array – which affects video chip, power control, errors associated with finding hardware, errors with USB etc. Apparently degradation of this solder ball array is caused by the well-known overheating problems with this model. For the record, the posts on this board instructing us how to replace the DC power jack worked well. The power jack works. In additon to several other components replaced on this unit (top cover hinges, hard drive, video cable frayed from hinges, MoBo flexure causing CPU socket issues) we are finally going to get through the last four weeks of high school & AP exams, then this unit will revert to back-up craptop status. Thanks, folks, for your help. Will never buy another Dell laptop. Maybe a Stinkpad.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

Wow, they have a way to FIX ball-grid arrays? That's quite a trick. The balls are under the part, inaccessible. We didn't even have BGA equipment in our lab.

BGAs breaking from flexure is also the cause of many memory failures. Memories almost never failed when they were pin arrays, but pin arrays won't support the higher density per module that's required today.
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randalsheim · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Thank you, m_mckenna. I am new at soldering and desoldering and so I buggered up the motherboard quite a bit while taking out the old ac jack. A glob of solder between pin 2 and the A side of the diode did the trick. Now if I could get the hard drive working.

sfpcservice · Apprentice Dellhater Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 6

Two things come to mind when a pin wont take solder:

1. Not enough heat, the motherboards draw heat away from a soldering pencil very fast. You might consider blowing a heat gun on the board where you are soldering to help keep the heat where it needs to be but be very carefull not to "cook" the board. This can be risky, but if done properly it will work.

2. Get some flux into the pin socket with a brush. That will help pull the molten solder into the joint.

Also, http://www.notebookpowerjacks.com has a pinout of this jack which should help with testing after the job is complete and describes what each pin's voltage and function is.

Good luck to everyone doing these repairs!

Rob

navin · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

I have replace the dc jack, but the laptop won't charge still. Does anyone has the picture that shows where to solder pin 2 to the resistor? thanks

sfpcservice · Apprentice Dellhater Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 6

If the center pin only shows around 2 volts, I would check the power adapter and try to rule it out as the cause. We have a pinout diagram of the 9-pin jack on our site and an explanation of what it does. This may be why your computer won't accept the power adapter.

Also, if the pin wont accept solder, you might try a little supplemental flux on the pin. That should draw the solder into the joint.
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http://www.notebookpowerjacks.com

Need a Power Jack for your Dell? We got em!

mal_condutor · Discovering Dellhate Joined: 28 Dec 2009 Posts: 1

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

Note that this thread and its contributors have been dormant for 7 months.

The power plug problem is common among laptops and a repair shop knows what to do about it without model-specific instructions.
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Rocke T Sinetist
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