How do I disassemble zx5000?

I have the same problem with my hp zx5078cl that many others have reported: my AC power adapter does not charge my battery because, apparently, there is a short at or near my power supply pin. My notebook is nearly 7 months out of warrantee. And I refuse to pay hp to fix this problem; I am pretty good with tools (built two computers, fixed my chainsaw and washing machine, do most of the maintenance on my car, etc.).

Has anyone disassembled their zx5000 series notebook to inspect or repair the power supply? I cannot figure out which screws give me access to the power supply area. Any suggestions?

Jeremy
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The service guide should tell you how to get to that. You'll probably have to remove the motherboard.

The standard workaround is to get a xc1000 cable, which plugs into the expansion port on the right-hand side and adds a new power plug.

 

Brianstretch,
I have looked through the service guide -- too bad it does not show exactly which screws separate which components. Also, I have the xc1000 cable -- I think I paid $19.99 for mine when hp first introduced the cable. It is probably a character flaw, but I am determined to repair this short. There is no decent reason why my zx5000 notebook should be using accessory cords to charge the battery.

Thanks for your input. I am still looking for suggestions...

This would make a nice recall (or class action lawsuit).

Jeremy

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The problem is quite common apparantly with the zx5000/zv5000/z notebooks. My uncle had a zv5000z, same problem as you are reporting. He sent it in to HP to get fixed.

His problem was that you could stick in the AC adapter into the notebook, but it wouldn't register that well - if you moved the notebook even a little bit, the notebook switched to battery - lost connection.

 

After re-examining the service guide, I found the information needed. Now I am just trying to summon the courage to dig that deep... Maybe I'll use my xc1000 cable for a while. Three cords -- power cable, AC adapter, and xc1000 -- are now necessary to charge the battery on my notebook when I bring it home from my office. Absurd!

I think zx/zv5000 series users should log their experience with this problem. HP should repair something that didn't go bad after abuse -- this part was just plain bad from the beginning. I feel safe in saying this because my notebook is almost always parked in my expansion base in my office, i.e. I hardly ever use the AC cord for battery charging.

But that's a different thread...

Jeremy

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If anyone else is interested in fixing this problem with their zx/zv5000 series notebook, hp passed along the following link to me during my chat with support this afternoon:

http://www.laptopjacks.com/view_part.php?id=HP51625

Crazy! They know this part is faulty and have information on hand for those seeking a replacement part! Why not step up and replace the part to make a good name in the market?

Jeremy

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