[Solved] Replacing motherboard dc jack

Hey there, once again, I am in a bit of a predicament. Looks like my DC Jack/Power jack/charge jack [whatever you guys feel comfortable with] went out. I was playing around with a new wireless card and had the majority of my laptop disassembled [basically running the main components, motherboard, keyboard, lcd screen, nothing much] and running it with the power brick. If you are familiar with my previous thread, my battery is disassembled and I am waiting for new cells to solder in, but in the mean time, I decided to try and install the new wireless card that came in. Anyway, I was already running the computer in a weird angle [loose dc jack] and I was in the middle of installing the software when my computer just instantly shut off.

Now, either I fried my motherboard [if this is a novice assumption, forgive me] or my dc jack [which was powering the laptop in a funny angle] finally gave out. I'm not sure which, but now, no matter what angle I try to twist or turn the plug, it won't power. Anyhow, I was wondering if I could just order a similiar looking dc jack and wait for parts or does it have to be absolutely the same? Could I find a dc jack with the same mm size and the same amount of pins? I mean, I'm assuming as long as it'll fit in the spot on the motherboard, it'll be fine. But then again, I am a novice and I'm likely to be wrong.

Thanks guys!

This is basic troubleshooting. By that you mainly need to be able to swap parts or test them with another functioning unit.

You really need to start by determining if your power pack is even functioning. If you have a voltmeter and know how to safely use it you can check the end of your power pack. That doesn't mean it will work under load, but no voltage means it's broken. If you could hook it up to another laptop that had the same power requirements that would prove if it worked.

I find it odd that you're asking some fairly basic questions about troubleshooting while at the same time you've completely pulled apart your laptop.

Do you feel qualified to be working on it?

There are many ppl out there will Dell laptops where the internal portion of the DC jack broke. I bought a replacement jack on ebay but i would unable to desolder/solder the old DC jack off. my soldering iron just wasnt hot enough. There was a local laptop repair shop that offered this service specifically (again many ppl out there have this problem). I was able to watch them do this and they removed the old broken dc jack and installed a the new one. laptop battery charged and booted fine. Note that this Dell wouldn't power unless the battery is installed and working.

There are a great variety of that style of jack. Finding an exact match may be your major problem. I would try the OEM of the computer first and then a local laptop repair facility. They may all balk at selling components since they make money on such repairs. You may find it necessary to take the MB in to such a facility for the repair. As you point out it isn't a difficult repair once the MB is accessible so maybe you'll find a cooperative repairman. Good luck.