I am currently on my second laptop since August, and have only had this one for about 2 months and it is already starting to devolp the exact same issue that caused me to have to get a new laptop the first time. The power plug keeps fritzing out on me, that is to say when I plug it in it doesn't really connect and I have to fiddle with it to get it to charge, and then it will sometimes switch back to the battery till I fiddle with the plug again, this got progressively worse with the last one till it finally no longer worked at all, this model seems to be heading down the same path. The first was an HP this one a Toshiba. Why is this happening?!! It's under warranty so I'm not worried about the cost, I just don't understand why this is occuring.

If the plug is not connecting at the laptop end, that sounds like the receptacle is loose inside the notebook, so you can't make a good connection. It's a $5 part that's just not soldered on very well and has come loose, or a plastic part that's broken.

If this is the case, they may try to tell you it's not a warranty repair, but if the case is not cracked(as in you dropped it and caused this problem), then it should be covered under warranty.

We are experiencing the exact same problem with our personal Compaq Presario. Bought it back in May '04 and the power plug won't make good contact and charge the battery, it falls out if you look at it funny. We bought the extended warranty from the store (____ City) and then promptly moved to the other side of the country. Note that this current laptop is a replacement for the HP laptop we had which literally started smoking after 4 months of use!

Anyway, we took it to our local CC store and they said it was indeed the power receptacle inside the notebook and that's not something they can fix as it requires opening the case and resoldering the parts. We would have to send the laptop in for warranty repair. We were figuring they would just replace it considering (a) it is less than one year old and (b) warranty repair would take 4-9 weeks!!!

We called CC's warranty line and told them of the problem (and the fact that it will burn CDs but not DVDs) and the rep said they would send us a box with a FedEx waybill so that we could pack up the laptop and ship it to them for free. ^ But then he ran our purchase information and saw that the laptop, being less than one year from purchase date, was still under factory warranty...he couldn't do anything since we would have to go through HP (since HP merged with Compaq).

I had to up that day's dosage of blood pressure meds after talking (er, trying that is) to the HP rep. It wasn't a communication problem or having to deal with a thick accent, it was the sheer arrogance of the "customer service" SOB!!!

First came the accusation that we subjected the laptop to "rough handling" and thus, it's our fault. Second, most problems (of any kind) they encounter are the owner's fault. Third, if the problem is deemed our fault (how can it not be considering his attitude?) then we would have to pay for the repairs. Fourth, they wouldn't solder the part, they would replace the entire motherboard......? May as well buy a new laptop! Finally, when we ship the laptop to the repair center, it must be packed as follows: in a sturdy cardboard box, with 3 inches of bubble wrap on all sides, foam peanuts or inserts must be added to keep the unit from shifting around in the box, the power cord/adapter must be wrapped and included in the box. If any damage ocurrs during transit, it's our fault and we would have to pay for the repairs. ie Everything is our fault! No, they aren't going to send us the box. No, they aren't going to pay for shipping. No, they won't fix both problems at the same time--have to get one problem (power port or DVD burner) fixed and then ship it back for the other!

So, for a temporary fix, I used a tiny screwdriver to bend the fins in the power port that make contact with the plug. The plug makes better contact but we're only going to have the machine for a few days. We're going back home for a minivacation and we're taking it to the store where we got it to be replaced (already talked to the manager). I think we're going with Sony VAIO or Toshiba. HP/Compaq is dead to me.

I had a minor problem with my IBM ThinkPad R51. They overnighted a box to me with a shipping label to return the machine to them. I was able to talk to the tech who actually worked on the machine. Had it back less that 72 hours after I returned.

Just the regular warranty - no upgrade for extra dollars.

I like their machines and will stick with them ... at least until or if they begin to go downhill, too.

Then what would I do?

Best wishes,

Teacher49

Yeah it's the plug not the case. First laptop was a HP this one is a Toshiba, Best Buy just replaced the laptop the last time and I hope they do the same thing this time, I am going to pick up a pack of DVD-R's and begin backing stuff up, I know it's only a matter of time till it dies.