stilllearning6

Toshiba Satellite 2800-S201 : the power jack was no longer making contact inside the unit. It would only complete the circuit if wiggled / pressed inward.

After disassembly, I could see that the central power jack pin was connected to a thin metal strip that should lead downward to MoBo. The metal strip was split and no electrical contact/continuity could be made. IMHO : needed more strength when it was built ; looks like a weak spot.

First attempt at resolder repair was not successful as the power adaptor had to be held in a specific position to allow the inside break to be a continuous circuit --- but it was indeed better .

Decided to redo the solder with more vigor . Spent a tediously long, long time preheating the split area while trying to add a jumper wire along the weakened / broken metal strip. Also added much more solder ; more than I would have liked to add. Not too neat .

Upon 2nd reassembly and startup ---> green power light was on, but system would not start.

Thought that I had overlooked something . Took apart 3rd time in hope of finding a loose cable / ribbon. All appeared correct. Not good , I thought.

Re-examined the DC power jack with ohmeter.

I do not like the following results :

Put one lead on central terminal / other lead on chassis => zero resistance . Shouldn't it be infinite resistance ?

Put one lead on central terminal/other lead on the inside side leg terminal which juts out of the side of the DC power jack => zero resistance again .
Shouldn't it be infinite resistance?

I believe that now I may have created a short between the central "juice in" terminal and the chassis ground, plus also a short between "juice in" terminal to the return neutral side terminal. Or is that still part of the chassis grounding circuit ?

I am guessing that there might be 3 legs in the circuit :

Leg A= from outside laptop : "juice in at central terminal pin " ---> through the central pin --> out the back of central pin inside laptop --> leading down the metal strip --> anchored to MoBo. Feeds juice to laptop .

Leg B= return neutral line from somewhere on MoBo --> somewhere into power jack --> back out power jack to AC adaptor. Can't clearly identify this pathway, just guessing.

Leg C= chassis ground --> somewhere into the power jack ground.

Can anyone shed light onto this and guide me as to how to proceed?

I am thinking that the DC power jack needs to be removed / unsoldered and replaced with new unit.

Toshiba says that this is not repairable , replace MoBo.
I found a website that sells DC power jack for $15 incl S/H. The sales guy at the website said to unsolder , replace .

I want more info before proceeding . I was informed that there is a hidden 3rd leg under the DC power jack ( purpose ??) .