inspiron 600m only detects ac adapter when it is above level of laptop and pulled tight

Ok, so my inspiron 600m is admittedly 5-6 years old now and has quite a few motherboard issues, but this is one I have not encountered on a google search and was quite curious about as it is quite annoying and it is the only one left that bothers me (I am now using the 600m as a dumb terminal so most of the others are irrelevant). In any case, besides taping the power supply up I don't really have any ideas for a good solution. I thought it might be the AC adapter and bought a brand new one, but no such luck still see exact same behavior. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Misha

p.s. I have the "power-on" problem as well that seems to be documented here and other places on the Web, but that one seems at least ameliorable with contact cleaning, although I can't "fix" it completely either.

 

Most likely your power jack is breaking or broken. If you're handy with a soldering iron, the jack is a cheap and abundant part; replacing the old one should solve your problem. Otherwise, you'll have to replace your motherboard.

 

Ok just bought http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260262005599 power jack. Any good guides out there? I'm fairly good at soldering, but have never soldered anything to a laptop before (did do to my router though).

I know about the service manual to take it apart (i've taken most of it apart trying to fix some of the other problems I've had)

Thanks
Misha

 

I don't know if there's anything specifically for Dell, but here's a generic guide on the process:

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/06/dc-power-jack-repair-guide/

Should basically be the same thing for every laptop.

 

Thanks, your link looks quite helpful. I have some desoldering wick (I think that's what its called its the stuff they sell at Radio Shack I've done quite a bunch of electronics soldering past year but again no computer/motherboard) hopefully that will be ok instead of the pump. Anyway when I get my new powe r jack might have more questions. Thanks a lot.