Kevin's Watch

The laptop has decided to go kaput, unless Hyperception can figure out how to fix the stem thingy in the back of the laptop where the power cord plugs in. It's been wiggling for awhile now, and has finally decided to stop powering up at all. So, until we can get the funds together to get it fixed, it looks like I'll be at either the library, UF's architecture lab, or the coffee shop with the free access computers for awhile. And my availabilty to those places will depend on my available transportation to get there.

...argh...the withdrawal pains...

Thats a veeery common problem with the ac ports on laptops. if Hyperception can get the laptop apart, it's usually a simple matter of soldering (or gluing, if you can make the two parts reconnect properly) a thin metal strip on the power module on the board that ends up breaking in two because of jamming and wiggling the cord which loosens and tears the metal strip. a word of caution, tho, as it's just as easy to completely ruin the mobo at the same time if you're not careful.

Get back soon.

Esmer wrote:Thats a veeery common problem with the ac ports on laptops. if Hyperception can get the laptop apart, it's usually a simple matter of soldering (or gluing, if you can make the two parts reconnect properly) a thin metal strip on the power module on the board that ends up breaking in two because of jamming and wiggling the cord which loosens and tears the metal strip. a word of caution, tho, as it's just as easy to completely ruin the mobo at the same time if you're not careful.

^ Posting of Informativeness, +5, Accurate

Well...

As I've known for years, when he applies himself Hyperception is a genius (and those stupid IQ tests he was given throughout childhood confirms this, he just rarely applies himself). He has the laptop powered up using the electrical cord from the laptop donated to Beorn from the Dignity Project for him to use at school. The numbers don't match exactly (for instance, the ac port says 75 watts, and Beorn's says it puts out 72 watts) but it appears to be working for now. Who knows how long it will last though.

Esmer wrote:Thats a veeery common problem with the ac ports on laptops. if Hyperception can get the laptop apart, it's usually a simple matter of soldering (or gluing, if you can make the two parts reconnect properly) a thin metal strip on the power module on the board that ends up breaking in two because of jamming and wiggling the cord which loosens and tears the metal strip. a word of caution, tho, as it's just as easy to completely ruin the mobo at the same time if you're not careful.

Thanks Es, that's exactly what Hyperception says, and he doesn't trust his own soldering ability to do the repair himself. However, when he took the time to actually look at the laptop, he says it's not the stem itself that's wiggling, but the entire input so he thinks if we eventually buy a replacement to spec power cord system we may be OK for awhile yet. So now I have to manipulate our already stretched to the max budget to afford one, otherwise I'll be without a power supply while Beorn uses his laptop at school.

Lore, thanks for saying that. It's nice to know if I would be missed.