World's dumbest computer problem! Please help!

[displacedtexan]

OK, I have a Compaq Presario 1200 (XL something) laptop (4 years old), which does everything I need and suits me just fine...

Well, the power cord attaches to a little metal sticky out prong about 1/4" long on the motherboard inside the computer's power cord hole.

Problem: The prong thingy HAS BROKEN OFF.

So, without an external battery charger and no way to get power to the motherboard, all of my files are entombed in a dead computer.

Suggestions, advice (short of burial on hallowed ground), and/or hexes upon the House of Compaq/HP will be greatly appreciated!

[daveskilt]

1. a new power cord OR

a new cord will run about 120 (assuming the still make them for your model) but if you try a computer store somewhere (local not a chain) they may loan you a cord to retrieve files or get the files off for you with a power cord they have (about 20 bucks an hour is standard)

edit - or buy a new battery and work fast!

[displacedtexan]

2. Thanks, but those ideas won't work. The problem is too dumb!

The power cord can't connect without the the little prong thingy attached to the motherboard.

A new battery has to be charged. Without a power source, a new battery can't help.

I told you this was the dumbest computer problem in the world!

Any other ideas?

[BigMcLargehuge]

3. you need a new motherboard

or you need to disassemble the entire computer case and try to resoldered the broken piece back on.

[daveskilt]

20. yank the hard drive and stick it in another machine as a slave drive?

[ret5hd]

4. go tou your local computer store...

explain your situation and ask them to charge your battery.

[MuseRider]

5. I am using my new Dell

simply because I HATE Compaq. I had that computer, it was a little over a year old. Mine broke as well. Know what? That little piece is made with a flimsy plastic piece that holds it on to the system board. The fix? A NEW system board. I was so angry. It is a flimsy little piece of plastic and the repair costs? A new system board, cheapest estimate I got? $500.90 and that was before adding the labor. Sorry, I just went through that.

[Gman]

6. Not good at all

I had a Compaq Presario 1200 laptop that I later gave to my son. The very same thing happened.

He has a friend that soldered the power connection back onto the motherboard. I suggest finding such a shop that can do it.

I doubt Compaq would do it on a laptop that old. check around for some computer repair shops.

---on edit--

At the worst, if it can't be fixed, pull the hard drive and slave it to another computer to get to the files.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

9. Same thing happened to me- Compaq 1670

Eventually I bought a new laptop. I'm typing this on my new PowerBook G4.

[elfin]

12. Picking up my Powerbook today!

Finally have to kiss my Wallstreet goodbye - did you have any apps that didn't work in "Classic"?

[kcwayne]

7. Get a new thingy

If you take it to a tech, you might be able to replace the power connection on the motherboard with a salvaged part if you cannot get it new.

Other than that, open up your case and connect or solder a wire from your power cord directly to the broken stub on the motherboard. Power your system up and grab your files.

If this sounds dangerous to you, then take it to a PC repair technician and have them get your files off the system. You should only be working with 12 volts and low amperage so you are not likely to electrocute yourself, but you could short out the motherboard and make your files unretrievable. A PC tech should be able to connect your hard drive to a functional system and get the files off without risking this.

[DS1]

8. Find a laptop drive IDE adapter and plug it into your main system

[displacedtexan]

13. This idea sounds intriguing!

My problem is getting power to the hard drive: I can connect to my PC, but I can't get the laptop hard drive to spin.

Will a laptop drive IDE adapter solve this problem?

[DS1]

14. Here's how you do it ---

Get a 40 to 44 pin adapter (might be called a 2.5 to 3.5 inch adapter) at your local computer store, you can probably pick one up at CompUSA for 6.99. This obviously requires taking the hard drive out of your laptop. Open your desktop case, use the adapter to connect the laptop to your desktop's motherboard, and you'll need to supply power to the drive from your desktop also, that will be a 4 pin adapter.

Set BIOS to autodetect, and grab the files you need and put them on your desktop.

[displacedtexan]

16. Thanks so much!

At least my files can be saved!

How about a virtual POS compaq laptop destruction party?

Or a class action suit? There seems to be a lot of people with the same problem!

[displacedtexan]

18. I PM'ed you for advice on 4 pin adapters

Compusa has several. Do you recommend any particular one?

http://tinyurl.com/3dxrb

[Kellanved]

10. not dumb at all

If the objective is just to get your data I see two DIY possibilities.
Both are in accordance with the fifth commandment of Computer Science ("Thou shalt not solder!")

1. Use alligator crimps to connect the broken leads on the Mainboard to the external Power Supply. (be *very* careful)

2. Remove the HD from the notebook and use another PC to transfer the data.

The other option is: take the computer to a professional and let him re-solder the contacts. I fear, however, that such a solution wouldn't last for a reasonable fraction of eternity either.

On Edit:
If you want to see dumb computer problems, look here:
http://www.dau-alarm.de/gallery.html

[Az]

11. Pull the harddrives

Slap them in a friends computer and burn copies of whatever you need off them.

In the end you are going to have to replace the mobo or get a new computer. The data on the drives is readily accessible though. If you replace the mobo you should be able to boot back into where you were before.

[liberalhistorian]

15. Sheesh! It's threads like this that

make me glad I'm too poor to own a laptop!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Ready4Change]

17. This one involves spending money...

That laptop doesn't cost all that much on eBay Here is an example. You could buy one from there, use it's battery to power yours and grab your needed files, then load them onto the new laptop.

Then you can sell your old powerless laptop on eBay to recoup some money.

Your problem seems to be common. Several of the Presarios I saw on eBay had the exact same problem.

Good luck.

[displacedtexan]

19. Thanks!

Great backup plan!

I miss the days when you could get a High School kid at Radio Shack to solder anything with no problems!