How to Repair the Acer Aspire 3628 DC Port

Laptops allow the user to work on the go.

With battery lives being extended, laptops have become the tool of choice for people on the go. However, laptops need to be plugged into an outlet to recharge the battery. One of the most commonly abused parts of a laptop is the DC port. The DC port allows the laptop to be plugged into a wall outlet. Professionals charge a great deal of money for repairs. Use a few simple tools and professional techniques to fix a DC port saving on the cost of professional intervention.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Epoxy glue
• Phillip's and standard screwdriver set
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Flux
• Needle nose pliers

Instructions

1. 

   Corrosion builds up on the port's connectors.

   Do not repair the laptop while the power is on or the battery is still in place. Turn the laptop off, disconnect the power supply and remove the battery.

2. Clean the port. Corrosion and dirt can create a barrier between the power adaptor's female plug and the DC port's male prong. Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol. Using the thumb and middle finger, squeeze the swab's tip to remove any excess alcohol. Clean the metal prong on the inside of the port and the interior of the adaptor's female plug. Test the adaptor to see if the problem has been resolved.

3. 

   Check to see if your laptop is still covered under warranty.

   Glue the port in place. If the DC port is loose but still fully operational, it can be glued in place, rather than having to take the laptop's case apart. Apply a drop of epoxy glue to the tip of a pin. Place the epoxy in the small gap between the DC port's housing and the laptop case. Allow 24 hours drying time before placing the power supply's plug into the port.

4. Remove the bottom from the laptop's casing. Use small Phillip's screwdrivers to remove the case's bottom. Place the screws into a coffee cup to avoid losing them. Start with the panels that allow access to the battery, hard drive and RAM cards. After the smaller access panels have been removed, gently remove the case's bottom panel. The casing has tabs that hold it in place: Care must be taken to avoid breaking them.

5. Examine the DC port. The DC port has a wiring harness that attaches to the motherboard via a rectangular shaped connector that snaps in place. Check the wiring between the port and the connector for exposed or bare wiring and crimping. Both of these problems can cause the port to fail. Replace the DC port if damaged wires are discovered.

6. 

   Replace the DC port. Disconnect the wiring harness from the motherboard. The DC port attaches to the motherboard using metal tabs that fit into slots on the board. To access the tabs, remove the screws that hold the motherboard in place. Place the screws in a separate coffee cup. Flip the motherboard over. Remove the solder that hold the tabs in place by heating the tab ends with a soldering iron. When the solder is liquefied, bend the tabs, so they are perpendicular to the board's surface. Gently pull the DC port from the motherboard.

7. Apply soldering flux to the tabs on the DC port and the slots they fit into on the motherboard. Place the tabs into the slots. Using needle nose pliers, bend the tabs until they are parallel with the motherboard's surface. Solder the tabs to the motherboard. Reconnect the wiring harness, screw the motherboard back in place and replace the case.

Tips & Warnings

• If the laptop is still under warranty, have the manufacturer replace the damaged DC port. Laptop manufacturers will replace a damaged port, if the damage was caused by a problem that took place during the laptop's build.

References

• Defective Kit: Guide to Fixing a Laptop Power Jack
• Inside My Laptop: Laptop Does Not Start
• Laptop Repair 101: Power Jack Repair Guide