Gateway M520 Fire Hazard

This came to my attention when one of my teachers reported a "hot smell"
when plugging her laptop into AC Power. Thought you folks should be
aware of it.

In the center of the photo you'll see a metal post with an obvious
burned area on it. That post houses one of the screws that holds the top
shroud and bottom of the casing together. In the very bottom-right
you'll see the AC power plugged in and the back side of the power
connection port, which is uninsulated. Just to the left of the back of
the power port you'll see a little silver ring. That's where the end of
the screw goes, and the metal post covers the ring. So, when the upper
housing is turned upside-down and fitted back on, the metal post runs
within 2mm of the uninsulated rear of the power port. Over time the
power port has loosened up a touch, so when you push the power plug in
you tilt the entire port housing backward just enough that it makes
contact with the metal post, shorting out and "arcing", causing the
burn. This is potentially a very dangerous situation.

 

This seems to be the problem I am having with my M520.

I have tried to explain the problem to Gateway and they are telling me that the motherboard will probably need to be replaced because that ac recepticle is attached to it.

What is the solution?

 

Never heard of this happening.
You probably would need to replace the mobo.