Toshiba Satellite model M35X - fixing power connector
Toshiba Satellite M35X model is known for it’s power connector problem. This issue has been covered on this blog a few times before in the following articles.
Toshiba Satellite M35X and Satellite A75 power jack and battery charge problem
Failed power jack workaround (guide for a Satellite A75 notebook similar to Satellite M35X)
Here’s another well written and documented guide submitted by Stephen Macuch. Thank you Stephen for the great pictures and very detailed instructions.
This is a view of the laptop power connector before the repair:
Inside the yellow circle is the main power connection from the connector to the board – note that you can see a dark circle completely around it, indicating that there is no solid metal connection.
Also note that it looks somewhat ‘burnt’ – this is indicative of sparking taking place. This connection carries 3 amps of current. The current then passes through the component labeled PF1 ( literally ‘Power Fuse 1’). It then is supposed to connect to this side of the part circled in red (‘PL1’) – but notice that flexing of the board as the connector was wiggled caused a crack you can see running horizontally under this end of this part.
Same view, after the repair:
The green coating covering the metal leading up to the power connector was scraped off down to the bare copper of the board, in three places – the center pin, circled in yellow here, and the connector pins on both sides (see below). All were resoldered – on the top side of the board first, then touched up on the bottom (which is not where the primary electrical contact is made). The new broader, smoothly-tapered connection will be both physically stronger, and a better electrical connection.
Inside the red circle, you can see this was done for other part (PL1), as well.
Bottom view of connector, before the repair:
Again note that inside the circled areas, you can see dark circles where there should be solid metal, indicating that the original physical connection has been broken, and the parts are only transferring power due to the fact that they are touching . In fact, the only thing even holding the connector to the board is the connection in the bottom middle (between the two lower yellow circles) and it has a crack in it, as well.
Notice, also, the dried flux residue, indicating that this bottom-side soldering was done entirely, or touched up, by hand - and not cleaned afterwards.
The actual metal that conducts the power is actually of the top side of the board, where the connector is mounted, but the fact that the solder that flowed through mounting holes has cracked indicates is was not properly soldered in the first place.
As you can see in the two views below, all solder joints between the connector and the top side copper on the board now look much better. Increasing the size and coverage of the solder joints to the metal sides of the connector will make its mounting to the board physically much stronger as well, and better able to resist any side-to-side or up-and-down forces.
Inside the red circles, you can see that both sides of that part PL1 have been well resoldered.
This bottom view of the board after the repair shows good flow of solder through to the bottom side at the time the joints were resoldered.
Here’s another common problem with this model:
Laptop locks up, freezes up or reboots when you touch the speakers
Entry Filed under: Toshiba Laptop Problems
July 16th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
[…] Today I received another well written and well documented guide about fixing Toshiba Satellite M35X power connector issue. This guide was submitted by Stephen Macuch. Thank you Stephen for great pictures and detailed […]
July 30th, 2007 at 5:18 am
hi,
are there any tutorials for acer notebooks?
thx patrick
August 1st, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I’m not entirely sure where I am supposed to be posting this - so this seemed as good as any but…
I’m following the disassembly instructions for a Toshiba M35.
and I’m at Step 14 - but I don’t know which way to pull on the Power Connector to remove it from the circuit board. I don’t want to force it and risk breaking something. Could you help me out?
Thank you very much,
Liam
August 1st, 2007 at 9:33 pm
liam,
Witch connector you are asking about, there are four of them.
OK.
First you disconnect the wireless antennas - top two arrows. Firmly grab the connector with your fingers and lift it up until the antenna cable is disconnected from the board.
Second, you disconnect the video cable. Grab by the sides with your fingers and move towards the screen. There is no lock on this connector.
Third, disconnect the power switch board cable (blue cable). This connector has a lock on it, so be VERY careful. Carefully open the lock by moving it to the left, towards the power switch board. After the connector is unlocked, pull the cable.
Forth, unplug two more connectors.
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried the modified dongle, sigh… it didnt work. I have a toshiba M30 Satellite. Can you please help????????
September 4th, 2007 at 3:44 am
I have a Hp Compaq NX 9010 laptop.
Laptop’s original charger is exploding.
I’m taking a new charger.
Laptop is working only with battery.
But not working with new charger.
Charge ligth is not on.
May be laptop mainboard charge parts is failure.
Can you help me with on picture.
Which parts must be replacing?
I am testing charge parts of motherbord, but not find failure.
Please help me.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IT IS AM115 CAN YOU HELP BECAUSE THE PART LOOKS DIFFERENT
September 9th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
hello
i am experiencing the exacrt same problem. except i have got a toshiba M115, and upon opening it up i learned the part and motherboard configuration are completely different than described above. can you help? thanks
September 9th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Here’s some help for Toshiba Satellite M115 notebook. In this model the power jack is located on a pigtail cable. You don’t have to unsolder the jack from the motherboard. When you remove the motherboard, you unplug the broken jack and replace it with a new one. No soldering job needed.
You can find a new power jack for Satellite M115 by the following part numbers: V000924240, V000926490 (for 15V power adapter).
BTW, before you replace the power jack, make sure it’s not a problem with the AC adapter. Test your adapter with a voltmeter and check if the power cuts off when you move the power cord. In this case you’ll have to replace the adapter and most likely there is nothing wrong with the power jack.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:37 am
I have tried the original Toshiba fix using some electroinc solder I had around the house, however, by the time the battery was done charging the connection was loosened up apparently from the generated heat. If anyone has a successful fix that has lasted 6 months or better a year or more would you let me know what type of solder you used? I ordered a new jack and have not installed it yet, wanting to hopefully get it right the 1st time.
Thanks
September 12th, 2007 at 4:38 am
PS if it is of any help I have the Toshiba M35X S149
September 12th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Jeff,
I’m using just regular solder, not sure exactly what type it is.
To make it work properly you have to remove the power jack, then clean contacts on the motherboard and pins on the power jack, apply fresh coat of solder on contact and pins and then solder the jack back in place.
Check out this post. Failed power jack workaround.
And this one too. Satellite M35X extended warranty.
October 5th, 2007 at 11:29 am
hello i am having the exact same problem with a satellite m115 but the part is different when you open it up, it is under warranty but i dont want to send my hard drive away in the mail and potentially lose data…
though the symptoms are exactly the same, since the part is different, is it the same problem? i wonder because if it is the dc jack part, then why wouldnt the computer start if the battery has a charge on it? is it the power is routed via the dc jack and if the part goes bad then the whole unit wont power up? i want to make sure before i go get the part and do the repair, thanks!!
January 6th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Anyone what is the part PL1circle in RED on above image. The PL1 part on my board is burned the end close to DC jack.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Anyone know what is the part PL1circle in RED on above image. The PL1 part on my board is burned the end close to DC jack.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I have the M35X-S161 and I resoldered the power jack. Thank god that it worked.
But, I ran into another problem. My laptop can charge and sometimes will boot correctly. But often, the laptop fans will receive power, but nothing else receives power (no LCD, can’t open DVD drive, wireless led not on).
It doesn’t seem to attempt to perform POST. Please drop me an email and I can keep you updated on if it’s fixed (so you or I can post the solution)
January 12th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Jon,
It could be memory related problem, maybe the memory module is not making a good contact with the motherboard. Try reconnecting the memory module, try installing it into a different slot on the motherboard, clean memory contacts.
Also, it’s possible the memory is going bad. You can test the memory module with Memtest86+ utility.
Run this test overnight, so it passes a few times. If you’ll get memory errors, move the memory module into the second slot and test again.
If your memory fails test in both slots, most likely you have a bad module and will have to replace it.
If your memory fails test only in one slot, there could be something wrong with the memory slot itself. You’ll have to replace the motherboard or use the laptop only with one memory module installed into the working slot.
I hope this explanation is clear enough.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
cj2600,
Sorry for the late reply. I actually did run the memory tests for a day and a half. No errors occurred.
I am typing on my Toshiba laptop as I speak (once it powers on correctly it will stay on). At first, I was thinking only one side of the motherboard was the problem (as indicated here) But, I would doubt it, since the problem still occurs when running off the battery.
I had actually tried to power it without the memory and hd’s and other components. But still, a lot of times, the fans will power and nothing else. Any other suggestions?
January 19th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Jon,
When you start a Toshiba Satellite M35X laptop without any memory modules installed you have to get a beep error, something like one short - three long - three long - one short. If you laptop will not beep when both memory modules are removed, most likely there is a problem with the motherboard. Just make sure the laptop volume is turned on, set the volume wheel somewhere in the middle.
January 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I have a toshiba satelite pro 4600, The power jack
has to be wiggled to charge the battery and then
I have to unplug the charger to use the laptop
or the screen wont come on. Is this the same power jack problem and do you have instructions
on taking this thing apart? My dad can solder the
bad connections for me. Your help would be apreciated. THANKS
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
jason,
You’ll find instructions for taking apart a Toshiba Satellite Pro 4600 laptop here.
For resoldering the power jack you can use this power jack repair guide.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Great site!
any idea why my toshiba satelite pro runs so hot that the keys are very warm?
it works fine.
Nothing has ever been done to the laptop
thanks
rick
June 26th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Rick,
It’s possible that the heat sink is clogged with dust. Try cleaning the heat sink with compressed air. Just spray air inside the air intakes on the bottom and clean the heat sink. It may help.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
How to reinstall Window XP over Vista ? ( On Sony VGN100GLaptop )
The problem with this computer is that I booted windows Vista onto it, decided I did not like Vista, and then went to install XP back onto the computer. Here is where the problem comes in…Upon installation of windows XP, I realized that I had just written over Vista instead of replacing it, so then I went back to do a full system recovery, which comes factory standard on the notebook (pressing F10 on the boot screen). Long story short, the recovery did not fully complete itself for whatever reason, and I now get the black screen that says “Error Loading Operating System” whenever booting the computer up.
Thank you.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Sirat,
Here’s what I did when I had the same problem. I downloaded Active@ Kill Disk - Hard Drive Eraser and erased the hard drive. I didn’t erase the whole drive, just went through 1-2% so the beginning of the drive is clear from Vista files. After that I was able restore XP from scratch, not just install it over Vista.
If your XP recovery files are located on a separate partition on the hard drive, I would STRONGLY suggest creating recovery discs if you can. Just in case if something goes wrong and your recovery partition is erased.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hello.
I hope that this topic could help me but after dissassebly the lap, i saw that PF1 seems burned, i mean there is a small solder droplet in it. Is it possible to change it? Is there anyway to circumvent this issue? thanks in advance for your time.
July 26th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Ariel,
I think you are talking about the power fuse, right? Yes, it’s possible to replace the fuse but you have to have soldering experience.
You can remove the motherboard, take it to a local electronics repair shop and ask them to replace the fuse. It shouldn’t be very expensive.
Be careful. The motherboard is static sensitive. Don’t touch components. Carry the motherboard in an ESD-protective bag.
July 26th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for your kind reply.
I think that in my small town it will be a little bit hard find someone that can do it, and i would like to do it myself.
Do you know how to get that fuse? What are the specs? If you have some time, i would like to hear any extra comments or tips.
thanks in advance.
July 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Ariel,
I don’t know the specs. Take a closer look at the fuse. Maybe it has value written on it.
July 27th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Hi.
I have a Satellite A70 and the Power Jack needs to be soldered as described, but there is one screw that I can’t figure how it comes out to take the laptop apart. It is buried in the assembly and seems to be almost impossible to take apart. Can someone help me on the procedures to take apart the A70?
Thanks
August 5th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Where exactly do you run the wire from the positive pin? The sleeve came up when the dc jack was pulled off? From veiwing the diagrams and the reading you said to run it from the top to the bottom.