Inspiron 5150 power problem

Hey guys,

I noticed about a week ago that my AC adapter was not recharging my laptop. In fact, it would only charge if I tilted the laptop at 45 degrees (thereby pressing the AC cable against the floor), but it would do so for about a minute before it began flickering and gave out again. I thought this was a problem with the adapter so I ordered a replacement, only to find that it behaved in the same way as the old one--the battery is not being recharged and the adapter only recharges at that weird 45 degree angle for 30 seconds or so.

I'm curious-- do you think this is a problem with battery? Is it possible that the port where the AC adapter plugs in is damaged? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

Since you replaced the battery your cause is most likely the adaptor port on the motherboard becoming unsoldered... Not uncommon in the 51X0... I have a 5160 (until my 1520 comes) so I know what you're going through

 

Well, the adapter is not the problem (I've figured that out), but I haven't yet tinkered with the battery so that's another potential problem area. But thanks for pointing out that the port tends to become unsoldered on 5150 models-- just another reason for me to appreciate my Dell laptop

 

I have the same problem. I've had to wiggle it into all kinds of crazy positions. I wish there was an easy fix for this... The whole soldering thing kinda sucks. As of right now, I can't seem to find the right spot to get it to charge >< Thus here I am typing on my tried and true desktop trying to get the lappy fixed.

 

the only way to really fix it is a new motherboard which shouldn't be too much on ebay.

 

soldering in a new jack is a fix if you ask me. any little tech shop around your area should be able to do it. otherwise you can get a desoldering kit and soldering iron and do it yourself! mucho cheaper than new motherboard. dell wants 389us for one, ebay they go from 180-300us. the little jack is only a few bucks....