Opening up my HP dv4000

metatron · 01-18-2009, 08:53 PM

I have a problem with my power supply working properly and charging my battery. I think it is one of two things: loose dc connection or motherboard problem. If it's a motherboard problem, so be it. But first I'd like to check the connection. What is the easiest way to access this? I want to take apart the very least amount possible to get to it. From what I can see it looks like I may even have to detach the screen to open up the entire bottom casing. Anyone know an easier way to do it?

**grimx133** · 01-18-2009, 10:33 PM

Download your service manual, it'll tell you how to take it apart. Keep track of your screws, there are a lot of them.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00530488.pdf

metatron · 01-18-2009, 11:10 PM

Ok so I do have to take the entire thing apart. So I guess is there anyway to figure out if it's a loose connection without taking it apart at all?

Joe2Shoe · 01-22-2009, 08:40 PM

If you unplug and replug your AC jack on the laptop a lot, then the AC jack could be loose. The pin in the center of the jack is extremely delicate. If the AC jack with the AC Adapter plugged into it gets bumped a lot, this causes the AC Jack connection on the motherboard to loosen and weaken, causing electrical shortages.
I would poke around with the AC Jack with a wooden toothpick and see if it or the center pin moves at all. It either one moves even a small amount, it's loose, and needs to be resoldered or replaced. This is a delicate repair job, and a competant repair shop is in order.
The AC Jack only costs about $5.00, but costs about $125.00+ to replace.

01-18-2009, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
metatron Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Linux	Opening up my HP dv4000 I have a problem with my power supply working properly and charging my battery. I think it is one of two things: loose dc connection or motherboard problem. If it's a motherboard problem, so be it. But first I'd like to check the connection. What is the easiest way to access this? I want to take apart the very least amount possible to get to it. From what I can see it looks like I may even have to detach the screen to open up the entire bottom casing. Anyone know an easier way to do it?

01-18-2009, 10:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,153 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Opening up my HP dv4000 Download your service manual, it'll tell you how to take it apart. Keep track of your screws, there are a lot of them. http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00530488.pdf __________________

01-18-2009, 11:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
metatron Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Linux	Re: Opening up my HP dv4000 Ok so I do have to take the entire thing apart. So I guess is there anyway to figure out if it's a loose connection without taking it apart at all?

01-22-2009, 08:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe2Shoe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 22 OS: linux	Re: Opening up my HP dv4000 If you unplug and replug your AC jack on the laptop a lot, then the AC jack could be loose. The pin in the center of the jack is extremely delicate. If the AC jack with the AC Adapter plugged into it gets bumped a lot, this causes the AC Jack connection on the motherboard to loosen and weaken, causing electrical shortages. I would poke around with the AC Jack with a wooden toothpick and see if it or the center pin moves at all. It either one moves even a small amount, it's loose, and needs to be resoldered or replaced. This is a delicate repair job, and a competant repair shop is in order. The AC Jack only costs about $5.00, but costs about $125.00+ to replace.