NOT HOT!! Potential HP Laptop Problem (Staples Deal)

[JPSJPS]

The recent Staples deal for the HP ze4100 titled "UPDATE: drop to $499! READ..." was really hot and a lot of us bought one.
But, read the following and believe it:
WARNING FOR HP LAPTOP BUYERS!!!!!!!!!!
Many HP laptops including this ze4100 have a potentially serious problem with the DC power connector.
The power socket on the laptop is a larger diameter than the power plug so the plug does not fit snugly in the socket. Thus, when you insert the power plug, you may tend to "wiggle" the plug a little which bends the pin back and forth slightly. But worse, during normal 115 VAC operation, you have to be very careful that part of the power plug that is exposed does not touch anything that would cause it to "wiggle" back and forth since this will also slightly bend the pin where it attaches to the motherboard. Tension on the power cable will cause the same problem. This causes the pin to eventually break at that motherboard connection spot, requiring a $300 motherboard replacement that is NOT COVERED under HP warranty!
My friend had this very problem with a similar HP laptop and found out it is pretty common.
The ze4100 I bought on this deal also has this problem.
So, BE VERY GENTLE with the power connector!
Check out this thread at the HP support forum:
Link to Forum

 

[dethman]

you should really post this IN the thread concerning the deal.

 

[ReiAyanami]

$300 motherboard replacement that is NOT COVERED under HP warranty!

only $300?! most companies want $600-800 to replace the m/b of a laptop. $300 is a steal, hot deal!!

 

[JJd]

First thing I'd do is talk to someone at HP and tell them you wnat this defect fixed.
If that is not an option I'd suggest changing that connector out. Until you do, don't use it at all while it's charging. Call around and locate the part (maybe Battery's +). You can do this change yourself if you're comfortable opening up the case. If not, the place you buy the part will probly offer such service.
It's really a bummer HP does,'nt have a recall or something.

 

[Tot]

confusing post!!!! Are you talking about powerplug that connects the notebook to the DC adapter? Or the powerplug that connects to the 115 V AC outlet? Or are you talking about both?

In anycase, you should becareful when you plug in any powerplugs, and dont rock/wiggle any of the plugs unless you are trying to remove them. If they are not as snugly fitting then no reason for you to wiggle it in, just push it in/out in a 90 degree plane to the thing.

 

[PCMarine]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
$300 motherboard replacement that is NOT COVERED under HP warranty!

only $300?! most companies want $600-800 to replace the m/b of a laptop. $300 is a steal, hot deal!!

Haha

 

[mindless1]

I would start flooding everybody at HP with complaints.

You might find that a local electronics repair shop can fix the broken power socket for way under $300, though I suppose that would void the warranty unless you failed to mention that it'd been repaired.

 

[JPSJPS]

Originally posted by: Tot
confusing post!!!! Are you talking about powerplug that connects the notebook to the DC adapter?

I repeat: The power socket on the laptop is a larger diameter than the power plug so the plug does not fit snugly in the socket.

In anycase, you should becareful when you plug in any powerplugs, and dont rock/wiggle any of the plugs unless you are trying to remove them. If they are not as snugly fitting then no reason for you to wiggle it in, just push it in/out in a 90 degree plane to the thing.

More easily said than done! I watched the plug closely as I plugged it in and out. It is almost impossible to keep from rocking it a little since the outer ground connection is spring loaded only from the top of the socket. This alone rockers the plug in a downward motion since it forces the plug off center. And, the center pin will bend and may eventually break where it is connected to the laptop motherboard since it is a rigid pin that is captured inside the plug.
This probably will primarily be a problem for those that connect/disconnect the laptop power a lot. And it affects those that are not careful to avoid anything pushing on the power plug while it is plugged into the laptop. Then, even a slight pressure on the side of the plug causes a definite visible rocking motion which will be bending the pin at the motherboard connection..

I posted this warning because this is NOT an imaginary problem but instead is a real problem that has screwed other HP laptop owners. My friend argued a lot with HP when his failed and HP finally fixed it for $100 instead of $300 since they are aware of the problem and have done nothing to fix it.

JJd - Thanks. It would not be that hard to take apart the case to fix the pin connection to the motherboard but that voids the warranty. I may try to install a pigtail permanently connected to the laptop and plug/unplug at the other pigtail end. Don't want it to look like a kludge though.
John

 

[amexblue]

Yes. My friends broke the power-MB connector of his laptop. HP wants $280 to replace it. He is getting it replaced.

 

[ReiAyanami]

1) Gather information on how many ppl have the same problem.
2) Deploy lawsuit based on unsafetyness of their laptop model as risk of electrocution, yet they did not recall the model which they obviously should.

HP sucks, 3 of their printers have died on me which is why i've switched and havent looked back. goodbye $35 printer cartidges.

 

[ICR5]

Been looking for an aftermarket DC connector that would fit perfectly.. searching the net as we speak

 

[iceberg1116]

Originally posted by: ICR5
Been looking for an aftermarket DC connector that would fit perfectly.. searching the net as we speak

Please post if you find anything, brought the 4220 for 900 so wouldn't want to kill the investment

 

[ObiDon]

Originally posted by: ICR5
Been looking for an aftermarket DC connector that would fit perfectly.. searching the net as we speak

If you live by a Radio Shack you can just take the laptop in with you. They should have this spider/Medusa-looking thing with all of their different plugs hanging off of it.

You can just try them all until one fits right. Of course, I'm assuming you just want to replace the plug at the end of the cable and not buy a whole new AC adapter.

 

[Tot]

JPSJPS,

I got confused when you talked about115VAC. But the powerplug that goes into the laptop itself is only 18-25Volts.

Therefore when you said "But worse, during normal 115 VAC operation, you have to be very careful that part of the power plug that is exposed does not touch anything "


But all is clear now. And actually mine didnt have this loose plug problem.

Good luck

 

[ICR5]

Originally posted by: ObiDon

Originally posted by: ICR5
Been looking for an aftermarket DC connector that would fit perfectly.. searching the net as we speak

If you live by a Radio Shack you can just take the laptop in with you. They should have this spider/Medusa-looking thing with all of their different plugs hanging off of it.

You can just try them all until one fits right. Of course, I'm assuming you just want to replace the plug at the end of the cable and not buy a whole new AC adapter.

hmm, that's an idea.. they should have the proper size and perhaps it can be replaced, as long as it's connected the right way.. anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[S13SilviaK]

Originally posted by: ReiAyanami
1) Gather information on how many ppl have the same problem.
2) Deploy lawsuit based on unsafetyness of their laptop model as risk of electrocution, yet they did not recall the model which they obviously should.

HP sucks, 3 of their printers have died on me which is why i've switched and havent looked back. goodbye $35 printer cartidges.

The number of people is in the millions, and HP has continued to deflect them from any kind of resolve to the problem. My GF has an Omnibook that is nearly 5 years old, this problem was present then, and we had it fixed by HP twice, the laptop is now sitting in pieces because you cannot get a proper replacement connector from anyone but HP and they only sell the mobo, not the individual connectors, and the laptop is now of course out of warranty. They know of the problem and do not care, that is why she now owns a Dell as do I, no more problems ever since the switch.

 

[Gunbuster]

Its been a problem with Compaqs for years too

The best solution it to open up the laptop before it gets too loose and hot glue the sucker down.

 

[S13SilviaK]

I actually forgot to add, that when they fixed mine they superglued it back into place (yes you read that right) by the time I got to trying to fix it the plastic was completely dried and brittle, this was of course caused because of the half-ass job HP did and because there was to much resistance across the connection causing excessive heat.

 

[VaG]

I always find it ironic when the first two words of a post in hot deals starts with NOT HOT. Forget all the rules, shouldn't those two words be a dead give away that you're about to post in an inappropriate forum?

 

[partialwrtx]

This is such an easy fix for those of you who have soldering skills. I have an old Toshiba laptop that had just this very same problem with it last week. So I took apart the laptop, took out the mobo, did some soldering, and was done in 15 minutes. Everything works and I didn't have to pay $300 or even $800 to get anything replaced. Occassionally it makes sense to do stuff on your own

 

[Sneezer]

Originally posted by: partialwrtx
This is such an easy fix for those of you who have soldering skills. I have an old Toshiba laptop that had just this very same problem with it last week. So I took apart the laptop, took out the mobo, did some soldering, and was done in 15 minutes. Everything works and I didn't have to pay $300 or even $800 to get anything replaced. Occassionally it makes sense to do stuff on your own

I agree. This is an extremely simple problem to correct. Just pull the board out, resolder the connections and put everything back together. Go to RadioShack, pick up a plug that is a better fit than the HP, replace it on the HP adapter and you are all set. Incidentally, I just got done fixing a Compaq laptop that someone had plugged the wrong PS into. Blew out a couple capacitors on the circuit board. Bought some new ones from my local electronic supply store for $1.50 total, desoldered the blown ones from the board, replaced with the new, and voila, a fully functioning laptop again!

 

[JPSJPS]

Originally posted by: VaG
I always find it ironic when the first two words of a post in hot deals starts with NOT HOT. Forget all the rules, shouldn't those two words be a dead give away that you're about to post in an inappropriate forum?

What is your problem?
This is a hot deal for those who save a $300 repair.
How many other deals do you see that save $300?
John

 

[JPSJPS]

Originally posted by: partialwrtx
This is such an easy fix for those of you who have soldering skills. I have an old Toshiba laptop that had just this very same problem with it last week. So I took apart the laptop, took out the mobo, did some soldering, and was done in 15 minutes. Everything works and I didn't have to pay $300 or even $800 to get anything replaced. Occassionally it makes sense to do stuff on your own

You are right - That is the solution for an older notebook.
The problem with fixing this is that it voids the warranty. (Mfgr 1 yr + CC 1 yr)
Also, on this laptop, there are a lot of screws/parts etc to remove and it would be obvious that it had been worked on.
John

 

[Baronz]

I was thinking about this problem today on the bus, came up with this idea...

What if you got a small rubber gasket type thing the same diameter as the connector, and put it on so that it is around the part that is outside the case but still sort of in the slot, if it was something like 2-3MM and flexed a bit it would hold the connector right in there if it was the right shape.

Just an idea to prevent this.

I have this laptop and it does seem to wiggle a bit, ill make sure to be much more careful with it after hearing this.

 

[UNCjigga]

Bah, I just cut up some electrical tape and carefully taped it around the connector on the cord to make it 'fatter'. Cheap and easy fix.